Grassroots Communities Mining Mini-Grant Program

The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) and Western Mining Action Network (WMAN) jointly administer the Grassroots Communities Mining Mini-Grant Program, a funding initiative dedicated to supporting communities adversely affected by mining in the United States and Canada. Both IEN and WMAN have a long-standing commitment to environmental justice and Indigenous rights, with WMAN operating across the homelands of over 1,000 diverse Indigenous groups. The program is grounded in the recognition that mining operations, particularly those involving hard rock and metals, often have detrimental impacts on local environments, community health, and cultural heritage. The goal of the program is to provide meaningful financial support that empowers communities to respond directly to these challenges. The Mini-Grant Program distributes over $200,000 per year in the form of $4,000 USD awards to nonprofit grassroots organizations and Indigenous communities. At least half of the annual funding is designated for Indigenous-led initiatives, acknowledging the disproportionate burden that mining activities place on Indigenous lands and peoples. Eligible projects are those that address environmental, health, and cultural risks posed by mining activities such as gold, silver, copper, uranium, and coal extraction, including legacy issues from closed or abandoned mines. The grants are project-specific and can be used for a wide range of activities, including legal or technical support, organizing, outreach, media development, and travel associated with mining-related campaigns. To ensure equitable access to funding, the Mini-Grant Program accepts applications three times annually, with deadlines on February 1, June 1, and October 1. Funding decisions are typically communicated within four to five weeks of each deadline. Emergency assistance is also available on a case-by-case basis for time-sensitive issues that arise outside the standard application cycles. Applicants may only receive one grant in a twelve-month period, and past recipients must submit a report on the use and impact of previous funding before reapplying. The program strongly encourages applications from organizations with annual budgets under $75,000 and prioritizes community-based, non-profit groups and Tribal or First Nations organizations directly affected by mining operations. While general operating expenses are not eligible for funding, up to 10% of the award may be allocated to staff compensation. Fiscal sponsorship is required for applicants who do not have a tax ID number or a bank account under their organization’s name, and all grants must be made payable to organizations rather than individuals. Applications are submitted via an online form accessible through the WMAN website. Paper applications are available for preparation purposes, but the official submission must be completed online. Reporting requirements include a brief narrative of outcomes and a financial summary detailing how the funds were spent. Reports can be submitted via email, audio, video, or a phone call with a coordinator. Contact points for the program include WMAN representatives Laura Pitkanen and Sayokla Williams, and IEN’s Talia Boyd. Given the recurring nature of the grant cycles and the program’s sustained commitment to community-based advocacy, this grant represents a reliable and responsive funding source for grassroots efforts to address the environmental and health impacts of mining across North America.

Be specific about the mining issue and proposed project; priority given to Indigenous-led and small-budget groups.