ABOUT HALF OF ALL NORTH CAROLINA K-12 STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOLS WITH INDOOR AIR CONDITIONS THAT LOWER LEARNING AT LEAST ONE LETTER GRADE.

Our partner organization can lend you monitors (for free) to discover if this includes your schools.

The Pollution Detectives, Inc.is a small North Carolina 501(c)3 service organization working to protect school children. They do not charge for their service, and do not benefit financially from it.

Since 2017, The Pollution Detectives, Inc. has placed 'top of the line" quality monitors in over 850 locations in North Carolina schools to measure indoor air for ingredients that can stimulate asthma, sleepiness, discomfort and infectious disease. Around half of all surveyed locations were found to have indoor environments that lower student learning, increase absenteeism among students and staff, and raise the need for expensive, substitute teachers.

There are a range of solutions to the problems our instruments uncover, including inexpensive and easy-to-implement fixes. All solutions begin with a fresh appreciation that a costly problem exists that few are willing to talk about.

The Pollution Detectives, Inc. stands ready to lend you monitors at no charge, tutor you on the correct way to use them, help you understand the implications of what you find, and introduce you to potential funding sources.

Learn more on our website or contact Dr. Francis P. Koster at fkoster@thepollutiondetectives.org.

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Funding Opportunities

1. The Cole Foundation Grant (Exp. August 16, 2024)
2. Community Foundation Grant for Richmond County (Exp. August 16, 2024)
3. Community Foundation Grant for the Lexington Area (Exp. August 23, 2024)
4. Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant (Rolling Applications through November 21, 2024)
5. North Carolina Foundation for Public Schools Children’s Fund (No Expiration)
6. Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits for School Facility Upgrades (Tax Years 2023 and 2024)
7. Public School Building Capital Fund (Exp. 1 year from date of expenditure)

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Technical Assistance for Funding Opportunities

EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program 

The Environment Protection Agency has developed 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to help underserved and overburdened communities across the country. EJ TCTACs build nonprofit capacity to address Environmental Justice (EJ) issues, including the following:

•         Air quality,
•        Water quality,
•        Soil quality,
•        Personal exposure to environmental hazards,
•        Climate change resilience, and
•        Clean energy transitions.

By connecting with experts, other EJ partners, and local and state agencies for technical assistance, organizations can develop strong grant proposals, navigate the federal grant application process, and effectively manage grant funding.

Submit a request for assistance to the EJ TCTAC for your region, shown on the Table!