Environmental Grants

The Environmental Enhancement Grant is currently paused as a result of ongoing litigation. You can read more about past grantees and the program below.

The Attorney General awards grants annually to projects that will help improve and protect North Carolina’s natural resources through the Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) program.

Since the EEG Program began, the Attorney General has awarded more than $43 million to 228 projects. These projects have resulted in the closure of 240 abandoned hog waste lagoons and the restoration or permanent conservation of more than 31,000 acres of land, wetland restoration, stormwater remediation, stream stabilization, as well as several environmental education and research initiatives.

Program Background

In 2000, the Attorney General and Smithfield Foods entered into a 25-year agreement that, in part, provided $2 million per year for environmental projects across the state. This money was used to establish the EEG Program, which has awarded environmental grants since 2002.

EEG awards range from $5,000 to $500,000 in grants for a three-year grant project. These grants are only available to non-profit organizations, including academic institutions, and government entities. Eligible applicants can apply for funds for projects in the areas of land acquisitions, construction, remediation, restoration, planning, education, or research. EEG also fund small grant projects (awards of $50,000 or less) within these areas. There is a preference for projects that address environmental harm and damage to overburdened and underserved communities as well as for projects in eastern North Carolina.

Program Objectives

The EEG Program offers reimbursement grants for projects that improve North Carolina’s air, water, and land quality by addressing the goals of the Smithfield Agreement.

If you have questions about the grant program or the application process, please contact us at EEG@ncdoj.gov.