Bright Cities
The Bright Cities program presents cities with practical opportunities to integrate neurotoxic exposure reductions into their sustainability, health, and resilience planning —which builds communities that are safe for babies’ brains.
The Role of Cities
Cities have a critical role to play in reducing neurotoxic exposures for pregnant women and babies, and for the community at large.
Cities are able to implement change more quickly and decisively than state or national governments—making them vital partners in our work to protect babies’ developing brains.
We work with cities to create exposure reduction programs that harmonize with their existing priorities, so that the work of protecting babies’ brains becomes part of their day-to-day business.
All babies—regardless of their genetic code or their zip code—deserve to live in neighborhoods that are free from toxic chemicals. Together, we are building cities that proactively ensure healthier babies and brighter futures.
Bright Cities
The Bright Cities program provides grants and tailored recommendations to cities that are committed to equitably reduce community exposures to neurotoxic chemicals.
More than 35 cities have designed and completed projects that reduced harmful exposures to neurotoxic chemicals. Our three main areas of focus are: 1) healthier air and environments; 2) nontoxic and environmentally-preferable purchasing; and 3) increasing access to organic and healthy food.
HBBF accepts requests for proposals on a quarterly basis and awards cities between $5K and $35K grants to execute the proposals.
The Inequitable Impact
Babies of color are disproportionately impacted, particularly by lead exposures in homes, and water and air pollution in their communities.
A review by the Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrated that exposure to air pollutants increased risk of preterm birth by an average of 11.5%. Moreover, of the 10 reviewed studies which considered race in their analyses, 8 found that Black mothers were at an increased risk for preterm births.
The Bright Cities program is committed to addressing the systemic racism of neurotoxic exposures, and intentionally directing funding and resources to improve the lives of babies of color and their families.
Harmful neurotoxic chemicals are all around us. But targeted steps can significantly reduce exposures—and cities play a key role in making those steps happen.
Bright Cities Testimonial: Salem, MA
How Salem MA Provided Thousands of Pounds of Organic Food to Local Families
Why Partner With Us?
Little by little amounts to a lot. We’d be honored to partner with you to build a brighter future for babies—one city at a time.
Since 2016, HBBF has provided funding and technical support to projects in more than 35 U.S. cities, including nap mat replacements, pop up events, community gardens, pesticide-free turf maintenance, and more.
As experts in the field, we are uniquely positioned to support cities through selection and funding, implementation, and completion of projects that reduce neurotoxic exposures in the community, and make cities safer for residents of all ages.
Partner Organizations
Our tailored work in these cities has made an impact for more than 5,000 children
Take Action
We partner with cities to create equitable, sustainable change.
Whether you’re a mayor, a sustainability director, or part of a community-based organization, you have a role to play in making your city safer for its smallest residents. Learn more about how we can work together and make an impact for residents.
The Resources You Need
