Community Change Grant recipient EcoWorks’ Executive Director, Briana DuBose stands alongside Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, collaborators, supporters and several organizations holding their “golden ticket” a symbolic token of also receiving funding to continue their work in various aspects of energy-based efforts that serve the community. (Credit: Hobson Media Group)
EcoWorks, a Detroit-based environmental justice nonprofit, has been selected as the lead applicant for a groundbreaking $20 million Community Change Grant (CCG). This award marks a historic milestone as one of the first of its kind for a Michigan-based, minority, and woman-led organization. The grant will drive initiatives to enhance climate resilience, reduce energy burdens, and advance social and environmental justice in underserved Southeast Michigan communities. The Detroit Community Change Grant is one of only two projects selected nationwide in Michigan.
The event highlighted EcoWorks’ bold vision for the Community Change Grant (CCG) initiative and celebrated its partnership with Solar Faithful and Michigan Interfaith Power & Light. The organizations will leverage the $20 million grant to deliver community-driven solutions addressing energy and environmental challenges. Plans include implementing energy-efficient upgrades, installing solar energy systems, and developing resilience hubs in Detroit’s most vulnerable neighborhoods, providing critical resources to combat climate impacts and energy inequities.
The program event featured impactful remarks from a distinguished lineup of leaders dedicated to advancing environmental justice and sustainability in Michigan. Briana DuBose, Executive Director of EcoWorks and lead for the Community Change Grant, highlighted the initiative’s transformative potential. Rob Rafson of Solar Faithful and Leah Wiste of Michigan Interfaith Power & Light highlighted the role of renewable energy and faith-based partnerships in fostering equitable solutions. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting climate resilience efforts.
While Tepfirah Rushdan, Sustainability Director for the City of Detroit, addressed the importance of local leadership in sustainable urban development. Regina Strong, Environmental Justice Public Advocate at EGLE, and Cory Connolly, Chief Climate Officer for the Office of Climate and Energy, spoke to the state’s environmental priorities alongside Zachary Kolodin, Chief Infrastructure Officer and Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office, who reinforced the importance of infrastructure investments in building a resilient, equitable future.
“We are thrilled to be leading this effort to bring lasting, positive change to our community. The Community Change Grant will help us empower local organizations and residents to tackle climate change while creating sustainable, equitable solutions for all,” DuBose said.
“This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to environmental justice and community resilience. We look forward to working closely with our partners to ensure its success.”
Also, Dubose surprised the audience, which consisted of various community organizations, with a golden ticket symbolizing participation in this award grant.
These Community Change Grant recipient organization winners included:
1. New Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church
2. Pilgrim Baptist Church
3. St. Suzanne’s Cody Rouge Community Resource Center
4. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
5. Capuchin Soup Kitchen Meldrum
6. Capuchin Soup Kitchen Conner Kitchen
7. Capuchin Soup Kitchen Services Center
8. SDM2 Project Education
9. SDM2 Community House and Kitchen
10. Detroit Grandale Salvation Army
11. Genesis Hope
12. Safe Hope COGIC
13. Christ Church Detroit
14. Lord of Lords
15. Muslim Center Mosque and Community Center
The $20 million CCG initiative is focused on improving climate resilience and reducing environmental and energy burdens for local organizations in Detroit’s energy justice neighborhoods. The grant will support a variety of impactful measures, including the installation of solar energy systems, energy storage, green infrastructure, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
The project will also create new local jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and lessen flooding, all while educating residents about clean energy and climate resilience. This approach aligns with research on best practices for resilience hubs, including a 2022 study conducted by EcoWorks and the University of Michigan, which found that such hubs should be located in trusted, locally managed facilities, making them an ideal solution for Detroit’s energy justice neighborhoods.
The Community Change Grant is set to drive transformative improvements across Detroit’s neighborhoods, focusing on sustainability, equity, and resilience. Key initiatives include creating healthy, safe neighborhoods with clean air, clean water, and improved resilience to flooding; establishing community resilience hubs that provide safe shelter and essential services during emergencies; and expanding access to clean transportation, ensuring residents can easily reach jobs, healthcare, and food.
The grant also prioritizes energy independence, enabling residents to benefit from the transition to a carbon-neutral economy while delivering substantial savings on energy and utility costs for both homes and businesses.
As part of the initiative, EcoWorks will also help 20 food pantries and soup kitchens transform into “community resilience hubs” vital centers that can provide food, shelter, and other essential services during extreme weather events, power outages, and emergencies in predominantly Black urban communities.
“Detroit’s food pantries and soup kitchens have long been cornerstones of support for our communities,” DuBose said.
“With this grant, we’re transforming these trusted spaces into resilient hubs equipped with solar power, energy autonomy, and green infrastructure. These hubs will offer residents safety and connection while advancing sustainability and climate justice.”
For more information about EcoWorks and the Community Change Grant initiative, visit https://www.ecoworksdetroit.org.
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