Rachel's Network

04/14/2026

02/23/2026

Apply by March 31 for the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award. The award recognizes women of color making an environmental impact in communities across the country with up to $25,000/year for three years plus leadership and networking programs. Click here to apply or nominate someone! https://rachelsnetwork.org/catalyst/

05/05/2025

Women of color in Congress continue to lead their colleagues on climate change, public health, environmental justice, and conservation. Read more and see the latest numbers in our When Women Lead report: https://whenwomenlead.rachelsnetwork.org/

02/20/2025

2025 applications are open! Are you a woman of color building a healthier, safer, and more just world? The Rachel's Network Catalyst Award is for you! Annual prizes of up to $25,000 awarded. Find out more and apply by March 30 (nominations encouraged too): rachelsnetwork.org/catalyst

09/24/2024

We’re thrilled to announce the awardees and finalists of the 2024 Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award. It’s been a great honor getting to know these powerhouse environmental leaders. Now you can too: https://rachelsnetwork.org/catalystawardees24/

Did you know that less than 1% of foundation grants go to women and girls of color? Now in its sixth year, the Catalyst Award has granted $1.7 million to 120 women of color environmental leaders and their organizations.

02/12/2024

Are you a woman of color building a healthier, safer, and more just world? The Rachel's Network Catalyst Award is for you! Annual prizes of up to $25,000 awarded. Find out more and apply by March 17 (nominations encouraged too): https://lnkd.in/dsTuU5P

10/31/2023

We're delighted to present the awardees and finalists of the fifth annual Rachel's Network Catalyst Award for women environmental leaders of color. Learn about the recipients here! https://rachelsnetwork.org/catalystawardees23/

Did you know that in 2020, less than 1% of foundation giving went to women and girls of color? Now in its fifth year, the Catalyst Award has supported 101 recipients and granted $1.3 million to women of color environmental leaders and their organizations. Final awardees are selected by a committee of former awardees.

Awardees: Erika Allen (Urban Growers Collective), Helga Garcia Garza (Agri-Cultura Network), Dr. Tiara Moore, Jacqui Patterson, Nsedu Witherspoon.

Finalists: Dr. P. Qasimah Boston, Chanté Coleman, Charlene Eigen-Vasquez, Amyrose Foll (Virginia Free Farm at Spotted Pig Holler), Shelley Francis, Mariah Gladstone (Indigikitchen), Rozina Kanchwala, Dr. Suzanne Pierre, Jean Su, Violet Sage Walker (Chumash Sanctuary)

10/26/2023

Today, Inside Climate News reported on how chemicals harm children's brain development - specifically how toxic chemicals disproportionately affect children of color and low-income families. Vi Waghiyi, environmental health and justice program director with ACAT, was featured in the article and discussed growing up on Sivuqaq, Alaska (traditional name for St. Lawrence Island).

“Because of where we live in the Arctic, we are some of the most highly contaminated populations on the planet because of our reliance on subsistence foods [whales, seals, walruses, reindeer]...My people have four to 10 times higher PCBs [polychlorinated biphenyls, chemicals that cause cancer] than the average American in the Lower 48. Along with PCBs, we also found pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents. Massive fuel spills. Asbestos. Lead. Mercury.”

Read the full article: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/23102023/minority-children-exposed-neurotoxic-chemicals/

[Image Credit: WE ACT for Environmental Justice]

08/28/2023

Whether they are at the frontlines, in the political arena, or working in big organizations; Black women regularly face working environments and organizing spaces hostile to their ideas, wellbeing, and safety.

Rachel’s Network recently provided grants to four burgeoning organizations led by and for Black women in the environmental movement to support advocates’ wellbeing: The Chisholm Legacy Project, Climate Critical, The Lupine Collaborative, and Rise to Thrive.

05/25/2023

We were excited to help fund this timely new report on burnout in the climate sector from Climate Critical. We can't build a better future without taking care of the people who are doing the work. https://rachelsnetwork.org/burnout/

05/15/2023

We believe that philanthropy should support not just organizations, but the well-being of leaders who staff those organizations. Read our new annual report to learn about the projects we supported this year (illustration by Sophie Sarkar).

https://rachelsnetwork.org/2022-annual-report/