The New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Inc, (Grassroots Fund) was founded in 1996 as a funder’s collaborative, with a mission to energize and nurture long-term civic engagement in local initiatives that create and maintain healthy, just, safe and environmentally sustainable communities throughout the six New England states. With a focus on those who have often been marginalized, Grassroots Fund empowers individuals, groups and organizations working across a broad range of environmental and social justice issues. By helping them identify, select and access the specific tools, resources and connections they need to challenge existing systems, they are able to develop lasting solutions to the complex problems affecting the places they live and the health of the people who live there. We’re supporting change makers who not only experience marginalization but face systemic and structural barriers to traditional funding.

• We’re fostering innovation.  We’re supporting change makers who not only experience marginalization but face systemic and structural barriers to traditional funding. We’re investing in individuals, groups and organizations working across a broad range of environmental and social justice issues that traditional funders often overlook, and encouraging them to take creative approaches to challenging existing systems.
• We’re convening changemakers. We’re building networks. We’re strengthening grassroots movements by making powerful, intersectional connections between a broad spectrum of individuals, groups and organizations all working toward common goals, encouraging cross-issue conversations and supporting them as they develop solutions to big problems.  
• We’re revolutionizing philanthropy.  We’re tackling systemic oppression. With equity and justice at the center of our grantmaking, we’re changing the traditional funder-grantee relationship by shifting the power to the grassroots initiatives. We’re also dedicated to being hands on, committed partners in their fight to create healthy and sustainable communities. We’re supporting change makers who not only experience marginalization but face systemic and structural barriers to traditional funding. Read more.
• We’re amplifying voices.   We encourage meaningful participation. We believe all community members have perspectives and experiences to offer and deserve to have their voices heard. We want all perspectives to be valued, heard and considered in decision making and are particularly focused on ensuring that the marginalized voices are heard.