EJ Community Impact Grant Program Round 13

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation administers the Community Impact Grant Program through its Office of Environmental Justice to support projects that address environmental harms in disadvantaged communities across New York State. This program is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and is specifically designed to empower small, community-based organizations to implement projects that improve environmental quality, public health, and community awareness. The initiative reflects the state’s broader environmental justice goals by prioritizing resources for communities that experience disproportionate environmental burdens and risks. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund projects that deliver measurable environmental and public health benefits in Potential Environmental Justice Areas and Disadvantaged Communities. Eligible projects may include activities such as education and outreach, environmental monitoring, green infrastructure development, community gardens, and other interventions that reduce environmental risks. A required component of all funded projects is a research element, which must contribute to understanding environmental issues affecting the community and be shared publicly upon completion. This research component can be conducted by staff, volunteers, or contracted partners and is intended to support long-term community awareness and advocacy. Funding for this grant round totals approximately 700000 dollars, with individual awards ranging from 50000 to 200000 dollars. Projects must be completed within a 36 month contract period, with the anticipated contract term running from November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2029. There is no matching requirement, allowing grant funds to cover up to 100 percent of eligible project costs. Allowable expenses include personnel, contractual services, travel, equipment, and project materials, while indirect costs such as rent or utilities are not eligible. Strict budget documentation and cost effectiveness are required, as budget quality contributes significantly to application scoring. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status that qualify as community-based organizations and tribal organizations recognized by New York State or the federal government. Community-based organizations must meet specific criteria, including geographic service limitations, annual revenue caps not exceeding 3000000 dollars, and a demonstrated focus on environmental or public health issues. Organizations must also maintain a primary presence within the community they serve and demonstrate that a majority of their members or beneficiaries reside within that community. Ineligible applicants include municipalities, individuals, universities, and statewide or national organizations, although such entities may participate as collaborators. Applications must be submitted through the New York State SFS Grants Management System and include several required components. These include an evaluation questionnaire, a detailed project proposal, a work plan, and an itemized budget. Applicants must also upload mandatory certifications related to workplace policies and compliance requirements. Additional documentation may be required depending on project specifics, such as land use permissions or environmental review documentation. The application process is competitive and includes a multi-step evaluation involving eligibility screening, technical review, and scoring based on criteria such as project impact, organizational capacity, and cost effectiveness. The application timeline for this funding round opened on April 15, 2026, with a webinar held on April 29, 2026, and a question period closing on June 17, 2026. The final application deadline was extended to July 15, 2026 at 300 PM Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated to be announced during the third quarter of 2026. Projects selected for funding must enter into a formal contract with the state and comply with all reporting and performance requirements, including quarterly progress reports and a final report summarizing outcomes and research findings. Applications are reviewed and scored by a technical review team, with funding awarded to the highest scoring proposals until available funds are exhausted. Projects must achieve a minimum score threshold to be considered for funding, and geographic distribution across the state is also considered in final award decisions. The program emphasizes transparency, accountability, and community impact, ensuring that funded projects deliver tangible benefits and contribute to long-term environmental justice outcomes in New York State.

Ensure strong cost effectiveness justification and clearly demonstrate community impact and environmental justice relevance; provide complete documentation and align proposal with scoring criteria