Pro Bono Environmental Justice Fund
We are excited to announce that the AEC Pro Bono Fund is now accepting applications for Fall 2025 projects.
The AEC Pro Bono Fund provides environmental justice groups and community-based organizations with pro bono expert analysis, research, testimony, policy briefs, or detailed reports concerning economics, energy, environment and/or equity.
Examples of past pro bono work include:
· Assessing U.S. Electric Grid Operators' Governance: Transparency, Accessibility, Accountability
· Impact of Refinery Row on the City of Corpus Christi
Our criteria for choosing projects are as follows:
1) applicant is a community-based organization addressing environmental justice issues,
2) specific expert services needed are within AEC's skills and experience to provide (please review our website),
3) there is planned, public use for the work in an advocacy campaign or as part of intervening in a utility commission (or similar) docket, and
4) there is an individual (for example a staff member or board member of the applicant organization) designated by the applicant as their project-liaison for this work.
Each application will be thoroughly reviewed by AEC staff and graded on a four-point scale in each of the above areas. To ensure a fair and consistent process, our staff follow an established rubric when reviewing applications.
To apply: Please send a letter to probonofund@aeclinic.org describing your request for pro bono expert services in detail, addressing the points above.
Application letters must be submitted by August 31 for September decisions.
If you have questions about your submission or the application process, please contact Elisabeth Seliga at elisabeth.seliga@aeclinic.org.
April 2022 Pro Bono Environmental Justice Fund Awardees
After carefully reviewing numerous entries, we are proud to announce the first awardees of our AEC Pro Bono Fund: the Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend (IPCB) and the Minnesota Environmental Justice Table. We thank each organization that took the time to apply, and we look forward to working with these two incredible organizations.
The Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend (IPCB) are located in Corpus Christi, Texas, and they are a grassroots collective of 4+ local Indigenous Tribal affiliated communities (Karankawa, Lipan Apache, Coahlitechan, and Mexica diaspora) from the coastal region of so-called South Texas. The IPCB are leading community organizers fighting on multiple fronts, including campaigns against exploitative fossil fuel industry projects, fights against erasure and genocide, and projects for education and cultural reclamation. Recently, the organization focused its efforts to block construction of a new oil storage and export terminal on Corpus Christi Bay. AEC will support the IPCB’s benefits analysis of environmental burdens related to energy justice for Nueces County and the City of Corpus Christi.
The Minnesota Environmental Justice Table is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it is a community and grassroots coalition advocating for environmental justice, fair development, and self-determination in overburdened communities, specifically those most affected by the climate crisis, environmental injustice, and structural racism. The Table commits substantial resources to addressing waste incineration, which contributes to climate change and disproportionately burdens minority and low-income communities with pollution. AEC will support in research related to the Table’s economic analysis of the viability of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC).
Does your organization need testimony, research, or other expert assistance for an environmental justice project? Our Pro Bono Fund application is now open, and we will accept submissions on a rolling basis until August 31. Apply today!