Since 2021, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake has been fortunate to be a recipient of the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Community Based Organization Capacity Building Initiative (CBT CBO/CBI) grant program. This program helps groups like IPC connect with congregations or community organizations in historically underserved and marginalized communities. It also allows them to work with technical service providers to identify environmental concerns on their properties and receive assistance in applying for grants to address those issues. 

At its core, this initiative advances environmental justice by directly supporting communities that have historically borne the brunt of environmental harm—often due to systemic inequities in land use, pollution exposure, and lack of access to green spaces. Many Black churches, deeply rooted in their communities, serve as pillars of advocacy and resilience, and this program strengthens their ability to lead in the environmental movement. By equipping faith leaders with the knowledge, resources, and technical support to restore and protect their land, the program empowers them to advocate for environmental justice while also enhancing the health and well-being of their congregations.

For generations, Black churches have been at the forefront of social justice movements, and environmental justice is no exception. With the support of this program, these congregations and others can receive assistance in addressing long-standing environmental inequities, such as stormwater runoff, urban heat islands, and degraded urban tree canopy, while also fostering a deeper spiritual connection to creation care. Through collaboration with outreach partners and technical service providers, participating churches and community groups gain the tools and confidence needed to navigate the grants process—breaking down barriers that have historically limited access to funding and environmental solutions.

IPC has connected with groups from across the State through this program, leading to impactful outcomes. One such congregation is Empowering Believers Church in Glen Burnie, MD. Empowering Believers first connected with IPC in 2015 when they were experiencing flooding issues. Water surrounded the church during heavy rains, making the church building itself inaccessible. Most recently, through the CBO/CBI program, Empowering Believers was able to apply for a Maryland Department of Natural Resources grant, which has funded the design best management practices (BMPs) that should finally address their stormwater issues. This much needed, long-coming fix was designed thanks to funding from the CBT CBO/CBI program. 

Beyond Empowering Believers many other congregations in underserved communities have benefitted from designs funded and funding applications through connections that came from the CBO/CBI program including: Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Govans Presbyterian Church, Mount Olive UMC, Huber Memorial Church, Nepali American Cultural Center, Saint Gabriel Roman Roman Catholic Church, Saint James Episcopal Church, Violetville UMC, Saint Phillips Lutheran Church, Ames UMC, Christian Liberty Church, Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, Prince George's Muslim Association, Saint John the Evangelist Church, Delmarva Free School, Delmarva Muslim Community, Islamic Society of Princess Anne, and Third Haven Friends Meeting.

Now, IPC is looking forward to assisting these congregations as they seek out implementation funding. Programs like the Community Based Organization Capacity Building Initiative have made an important impact as we work to address historic harms that have been committed against marginalized communities.