Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

What Deep South Center for Environmental Justice does

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Inc. (DSCEJ) is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1992 by Dr. Beverly Wright, recognized as the nation's first and longest-serving environmental justice resource center. The organization addresses systemic environmental inequities disproportionately affecting Black, low-income, and frontline communities along the Gulf Coast, with a particular focus on Cancer Alley in Louisiana. Its core programs include the Community Investment Recovery Center (CIRC), which delivers capacity-building and technical assistance to community-based organizations and tribal communities across 13 states and 73 tribes in EPA Regions 4 and 6; the HBCU Climate Change Consortium, a network of 33+ HBCUs convening annual climate conferences; the Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project (LGCGP), which distributes EPA-funded grants of $50,000-$100,000 to community organizations; Navigate NOLA, a social-emotional wellness and youth development division; the National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN) coalition; the Gulf Water Justice Strategic Planning Project; and workforce programs including a 10-week solar installation training program (NABCEP-aligned) and the Environmental Justice Storytellers youth journalism program.

DSCEJ's underlying technology footprint is intentionally modest and oriented toward community access rather than commercial productization. The Environmental Justice Data Action Portal (EJ DAP) provides zip-code-level environmental burden data to residents, while CIRC operates online capacity-assessment and grant-navigation tools, and program websites (dscej.org, lgcgp, ccc-2026) serve as content hubs. The organization does not operate a commercial platform, has no public API, SDK, or app, and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Distribution is delivered through regional direct-service channels, in-person training institutes, annual conferences, and partnerships with HBCUs, foundations, and federal agencies.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through government grants and foundation philanthropy rather than commercial sales. The largest single revenue line is a $13M EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers grant awarded in August 2023 over five years, supplemented by EPA Gulf of Mexico Division funding for LGCGP (~$2.4M in 2024 and ~$2.1M pass-through in 2025) and foundation grants from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Pisces Foundation, Bezos Earth Fund, and NASEM-Gulf Research Program. Most services are provided free of charge to eligible CBOs and tribal communities; the organization supplements with individual and corporate donations. In June 2025, DSCEJ joined a class action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's termination of EPA Environmental and Climate Justice grants, a material event affecting its primary revenue stream.

Name

Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

Legal name

Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Inc.

Website

https://dscej.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1992 that delivers capacity-building, technical assistance, and grantmaking to community-based organizations, tribal communities, and HBCUs across 13 Gulf Coast and Southern states, funded primarily through EPA and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Justice Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Public Health Program Grants Management & Administration (HLAJALAC), Historically Black Community & Junior Colleges (EDAHAMAC)

Keywords

• Environmental justice
• Community capacity building
• Climate justice training
• Workforce development
• Grantmaking services

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants: DSCEJ receives significant federal funding through EPA grants, including a $13 million grant over five years to operate as an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC). The organization also receives EPA funding for the Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project (LGCGP) and administers grants from the Inflation Reduction Act's Environmental and Climate Justice Program.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: DSCEJ accepts donations from individuals and corporations through its website donation portal to support general operations and mission activities.
3. Foundation Grants: The organization receives funding from foundations including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), Kresge Foundation, and Pisces Foundation for specific programs like the Gulf Water Justice Project. Funding from Bezos Earth Fund supports Justice40 implementation work.
4. Program Fees: Revenue from training programs including the 10-week solar training program that equips students to sit for the NABCEP exam for careers in solar panel installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DSCEJ is the nation's longest-serving environmental justice resource center, providing capacity building, technical assistance, training, and grantmaking to community-based organizations (CBOs), tribal communities, and HBCUs across EPA Regions 4 and 6. Core offerings include the HBCU Climate Change Consortium, the Community Investment Recovery Center (CIRC), the Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project (LGCGP), and Navigate NOLA social-emotional wellness programs. The organization channels federal and foundation funding to underserved frontline communities while operating workforce training (solar), water justice, and air monitoring initiatives.

Product overview

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice operates as a non-profit organization offering a diverse portfolio of environmental justice programs and initiatives rather than a unified commercial product platform. The core offerings include the HBCU Climate Change Consortium and its annual HBCU Climate Change Conference, the Community Investment Recovery Center (CIRC) providing technical assistance to community-based organizations, the Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project (LGCGP) for direct grant funding, Navigate NOLA for social-emotional wellness, the National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN) coalition, the Environmental Justice Data Action Portal for community data exploration, and specialized programs in air monitoring, water justice, youth storytelling, solar workforce training, and the Toxins Harm Health advocacy campaign. These programs work together to advance environmental justice through research, education, workforce development, community capacity building, and direct advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CIRC (Community Investment Recovery Center): Program providing direct services to community-based organizations and Tribal communities through capacity building, technical assistance, and training in EPA Regions 4 and 6
• NBEJN (National Black Environmental Justice Network)
• Navigate NOLA
• HBCU Climate Change Consortium
• Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project (LGCGP)
• Environmental Justice Data Action Portal

Products and services

• HBCU Climate Change Consortium A consortium founded in 2011 by Dr. Beverly Wright and Dr. Robert Bullard to sponsor activities providing HBCU students opportunities to learn about climate change science, policy and advocacy, and present research projects. Engages 33+ HBCU partner institutions.
• HBCU Climate Change Conference Annual conference bringing together HBCU faculty and students, researchers, climate professionals, and environmental justice community members to bridge the gap between theory and experiential realities of climate change. Topics include climate justice, adaptation, community resilience, global climate issues, transportation, energy sources, carbon emissions, green jobs, and community economic development. The 2025 conference had 480+ participants, 9 student panels, and 46 poster presentations.
• Community Investment Recovery Center (CIRC) A center providing direct services to community-based organizations (CBOs) and Tribal communities through capacity building, technical assistance, and training. Service area spans Regions 4 and 6, covering 13 states and 73 Tribes. Goal is to assist 250 CBOs in applying for $50-100 million in grants over 5 years.
• Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project (LGCGP) An initiative funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico Division that empowers local leaders to address critical environmental and climate-related challenges in coastal Louisiana communities through competitive grant awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. 21 CBOs were awarded approximately $2.1 million in 2025.
• Navigate NOLA A division of DSCEJ dedicated to fostering social-emotional well-being in New Orleans, addressing mental health challenges from climate-related disasters through programs including SEW-NOLA (social-emotional learning), youth development, professional development, and wellness groups.
• National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN) A national coalition of environmental justice organizations and activists of African descent, engaging over 50 individual members and 30+ member organizations committed to fighting for climate and environmental justice at the grassroots level.
• Environmental Justice Data Action Portal (EJ DAP) An online portal enabling users to explore environmental burden data by zip code, revealing stories about environmental hazards in communities.
• Solar Training Program A free 10-week training program that equips students to sit for the NABCEP exam, qualifying them for careers in solar panel installation. Includes interview opportunities for participants.
• Gulf Water Justice Strategic Planning Project A project helping communities along the Gulf Coast Region address equitable water management decisions, climate change impacts, and water quality issues through the Water Justice Training Institute consisting of workshops that build knowledge and research skills for flood risk mapping and community flood protection planning.
• Air Monitoring Program Program empowering stakeholders to engage more effectively in air monitoring to hold polluters and officials accountable for continued toxic emissions, partnering with EPA and Environmental Defense Fund.
• Environmental Justice Storytellers Project Program where high school students from five Gulf Coast states take on roles of climate journalists, partnering with regional STEMM and environmental justice experts to chronicle stories of vulnerable communities affected by climate change.
• Justice40 Accelerator Program Program helping community-based organizations secure federal funding through the Justice40 initiative, which ensures 40% of climate investments flow to underserved communities.
• Toxins Harm Health Campaign Campaign documenting and raising awareness about the health impacts of petrochemical facility toxins on nearby communities, including interactive maps showing proposed facility expansion sites correlated with cancer risk in Cancer Alley.

Quantifiable outcome

• 33+ HBCUs engaged in climate justice through Consortium
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.

• EarthjusticecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Legal partner in class action lawsuit against Trump administration for EPA grant terminations. Earthjustice filed the challenge on behalf of ECJ grant recipients seeking nationwide restoration of the program.
• Southern Environmental Law CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Legal partner in class action lawsuit challenging EPA grant terminations. Supports efforts to hold the administration accountable for unlawfully terminating environmental justice grant programs.
• Lawyers for Good GovernmentsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Legal partner in class action lawsuit challenging EPA grant terminations. Joined the lawsuit to fight for communities unlawfully denied congressionally-mandated funds.
• Public Rights ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Legal partner in class action lawsuit challenging EPA grant terminations. Part of coalition of nonprofits and community groups suing the Trump administration.
• Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice (Texas Southern University)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Co-conveners of the HBCU Climate Change Consortium and annual HBCU Climate Change Conference. Founded by Dr. Robert D. Bullard and Dr. Beverly Wright in 2011. Partnership brings together HBCU faculty, students, researchers, and community members for climate justice education and advocacy. Dr. Bullard is known as the 'father of environmental justice.'
• 33+ HBCU Partner InstitutionsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBCU Climate Change Consortium includes 33+ institutions: Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Allen University, Bethune-Cookman, Clark-Atlanta, Coppin State, Dillard, Fisk, Florida A&M, Grambling State, Hampton, Howard, Huston-Tillotson, Jackson State, Lincoln, Morgan State, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M, Savannah State, Southern, Spelman, Tennessee State, Texas Southern, Tuskegee, Virginia State, Xavier University of Louisiana, and others. Students and faculty participate in climate conferences, research presentations, and advocacy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Club: Long-standing national environmental organization with active EJ programming including its EJ program for frontline communities. Shares DSCEJ's advocacy, member-driven model, and policy engagement, though at vastly larger organizational scale.
• Environmental Defense Fund: National environmental organization partnering with DSCEJ on the Air Monitoring program. Comparable in air-quality and community environmental health work and in engaging EPA and frontline communities, though at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): One of the largest U.S. environmental advocacy organizations with EJ as one of several program areas. Comparable in mission scope (climate, environmental health, community advocacy) and federal grant/funder engagement, though substantially larger and more national in scope than DSCEJ.
• Greenpeace USA: National environmental advocacy organization with climate, environmental health, and frontline community programs. Comparable in advocacy, campaign-driven model (e.g., DSCEJ's Toxins Harm Health campaign), and donor-supported funding model, though operating at national/global scale.

Regional players

• Southern Environmental Law Center: Regional environmental legal organization serving the Southeast. Co-counsel with DSCEJ and Earthjustice on the EPA grant termination lawsuit, and a peer in Southern/EJ legal advocacy and policy work.

Direct peers

• Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice: Housed at Texas Southern University and founded by Dr. Robert D. Bullard, the Bullard Center co-convenes the HBCU Climate Change Consortium and annual conference with DSCEJ. Operates overlapping EJ research, HBCU engagement, and federal partnership programs targeting Gulf Coast and BIPOC communities.
• WE ACT for Environmental Justice: National environmental justice organization focused on BIPOC and low-income communities. Partnered with DSCEJ and the Bullard Center on the Bezos Earth Fund-backed Justice40 implementation initiative, making it one of the closest comparables in EJ capacity-building and federal funding navigation.
• Earthjustice: Leading environmental law organization that is DSCEJ's legal partner in the June 2025 class action challenging EPA grant terminations. Both organizations litigate and advocate on behalf of frontline communities facing EJ harms, making Earthjustice a peer in EJ legal advocacy rather than capacity-building.
• National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN): National coalition of EJ organizations and activists of African descent, hosted by DSCEJ and relaunched in August 2021 with 50+ individual members and 30+ member organizations. NBEJN's network-based model is directly comparable to DSCEJ's role as a coalition convener in the EJ space.

Emerging players

• Center for American Progress: Progressive policy and advocacy organization publishing influential EJ and climate justice research. Comparable in policy advocacy and federal engagement, though it operates more as a think tank than a community-based organization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dscejnola
• Facebookfacebook.com/DSCEJNOLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dscej
• Instagraminstagram.com/dscejnola
• Xx.com/DSCEJ

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deep South Center for Environmental Justice