WE ACT for Environmental Justice

What WE ACT for Environmental Justice does

WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a community group based in West Harlem, New York City. It works to give people of color and low-income residents a real say in the environmental and health policies that shape their neighborhoods. It began in 1988, when three Harlem residents (Peggy Shepard, Vernice Miller-Travis and Chuck Sutton) organized against the North River Sewage Treatment Plant, a city facility that neighbors blamed for foul odors and harmful emissions.

Its method combines community organizing, research, education and training, and policy advocacy at the city, state and federal levels. The sewage-plant fight, pursued with the Natural Resources Defense Council, ended in a 1993 settlement that set aside $1.1 million for environmental projects. In 2000 it filed a complaint with the US Department of Transportation over the concentration of diesel bus depots in Northern Manhattan. Today it has more than 1,100 members. It has run a federal policy office in Washington, DC since 2012 and coordinates the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum, a network of 42 groups in 24 states and DC. Its current campaigns include New York's NY HEAT Act and efforts to limit toxic chemicals in beauty and menstrual products.

Charity Navigator rates WE ACT four out of four stars. Its legal name is West Harlem Environmental Action Inc., and it is a 501(c)(3), so US gifts are tax-deductible. It reported about $10.4 million in revenue for 2024 (ProPublica).

Key facts

• Founded in West Harlem in 1988 by Peggy Shepard, Vernice Miller-Travis and Chuck Sutton to oppose the North River Sewage Treatment Plant (WE ACT Mission & History; Wikipedia)
• A lawsuit over the plant, brought with the Natural Resources Defense Council, ended in a December 1993 settlement that provided $1.1 million for environmental initiatives (Wikipedia)
• More than 1,100 members across Northern Manhattan (WE ACT About page)
• Opened a federal policy office in Washington, DC in 2012. It also coordinates the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum: 42 EJ groups in 24 states and DC (WE ACT)

Before you give

• Legal/IRS name is West Harlem Environmental Action Inc (EIN 13-3800068). Use this name when searching in a donor-advised fund.
• Gifts of appreciated stock, bonds and mutual funds are accepted. The donate page says to email development@weact.org to arrange one.