New York Environment Grants

This funding opportunity supports not-for-profit organizations in Broome County that are working to address critical community issues and promote systemic change through collaborative efforts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations and local government units in the Bronx and Manhattan to deliver mobile outreach services focused on harm reduction for individuals who use drugs and face barriers to care.

This grant provides funding to professional artists in Sullivan County to support their creative work and encourage community engagement through public exhibitions or performances.

The Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) administers a portion of New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program. This program, funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021, aims to enhance, grow, and improve the mid-channel of the food supply chain within New York State. The overarching mission alignment is to expand each state’s middle-chain capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products, excluding meat, poultry, cannabis, animal food and forage, fiber, and wild-caught seafood. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are New York State agricultural producers, processors, groups of producers and processors, nonprofit organizations, local government entities, tribal governments, and institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals that bring producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment for middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. The impact goals are to increase the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York and regional markets, benefit multiple producers and markets, and support the development of new value-added products. The program prioritizes infrastructure development to expand business capacity for processing, aggregation, storage, and distribution. Specific focuses include targeting infrastructure projects to the dairy, fruit and vegetable, and organic industries. Another key priority is to create greater market access to intermediaries like food hubs, aggregators, wholesalers, and distributors, with the goal of increasing local food sales to institutions such as schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Expected outcomes include expanded processing capacities, modernized equipment and facilities, increased packaging and labeling capabilities, enhanced worker safety, and greater storage space, including cold storage. The program also seeks to develop and install climate-smart equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases water use efficiency, and improves air/water quality. Measurable results would involve an increase in New York-sourced food products in local markets, a greater number of businesses with expanded processing and distribution capacities, and an increase in local food sales to institutions, ultimately strengthening the resilience and efficiency of the state's food supply chain.

This program provides funding to various organizations and individuals in New York State for forestry projects that promote environmental sustainability and improve forest health.

The Food for Thought Grant Program, sponsored by the Western New York Foundation, aims to support educational and artistic projects that foster awareness, build knowledge, and cultivate conscious advocates for local and regional food systems. This aligns with the foundation's broader mission to engage artists, educators, community members, and food system stakeholders in creative expression and collaboration to spark social change. The program's core objective is to bring these diverse groups together to highlight the importance of just and sustainable food systems. The program primarily targets organizations interested in submitting projects that use arts and/or education to uplift opportunities or inform on issues related to the food system. The ultimate beneficiaries are the communities within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York, as the program seeks to widen community participation, promote collaboration and dialogue, and engage and empower these communities at large. The impact goals include raising awareness, inspiring action, and creating a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system. The program prioritizes projects designed to foster community participation and dialogue, encouraging creative approaches to food system education. It also focuses on the facilitation and exchange of learnings, insights, and expertise related to the food system to inform the public. Learning agendas are specifically encouraged to share practical knowledge, raise awareness, and inspire action towards building better food systems. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) entities or those with a fiscal sponsor or acting as a pass-through. Expected outcomes include an increase in community engagement with food system issues, enhanced collaboration among various stakeholders, and a more informed public regarding sustainable and equitable food practices. Measurable results could involve the number of projects implemented, the reach of educational and artistic initiatives, and documented shifts in community knowledge and advocacy. The Western New York Foundation’s strategic priorities, as evidenced by this program, lean towards fostering community-led initiatives that utilize innovative methods like arts and education to address critical social and environmental issues, particularly within the context of local food systems. Their theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by empowering local communities and fostering creative dialogue, significant social and systemic changes can be achieved.

The Manhattan Composting Award, offered by the Manhattan Borough, aims to combat climate change by reducing organic waste in the waste stream through supporting composting programs. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to address environmental challenges at the local level by fostering sustainable practices within the community. The grant specifically focuses on promoting composting as an accessible and effective method for waste reduction, thereby contributing to a healthier environment and mitigating the effects of climate change within Manhattan. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth, seniors, intergenerational populations, and the broader Manhattan community. The grant seeks to impact these groups by increasing their engagement in composting activities and enhancing their understanding of its importance. The goal is to empower residents with the knowledge and resources to participate in organic waste diversion, leading to a measurable reduction in the volume of organic materials sent to landfills. Project priorities for the Manhattan Composting Award include the establishment and expansion of composting and composting education programs tailored for youth and seniors, as well as initiatives that foster intergenerational participation. Community engagement efforts that highlight the benefits of composting and the diverse options available throughout Manhattan are also a key focus. These priorities underscore a comprehensive approach to integrating composting into the daily lives of residents across different age groups and demographics. The expected outcomes of this grant include a significant increase in the number of composting programs implemented and the level of community participation in these programs. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the volume of organic waste diverted from landfills, the number of individuals educated through composting programs, and the establishment of new composting infrastructure. While a specific theory of change or explicit strategic priorities of the "foundation" (in this case, the Manhattan Borough) are not detailed, the program implicitly operates on the theory that increased community participation and education in composting will directly lead to reduced waste, a cleaner environment, and a more sustainable urban ecosystem. The focus on education and community engagement suggests a belief that empowering residents with knowledge and practical skills is the most effective way to achieve long-term environmental benefits.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is offering grants to local governments and Soil and Water Conservation Districts to assist in the initial planning of non-agricultural nonpoint source water quality improvement projects. The grants are also available for regulated MS4 Operators for mapping. The program supports projects like upgrading wastewater treatment systems and streambank stabilization. Applicants seeking planning grants for wastewater treatment systems should refer to the NYS DEC/EFC Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant Program. The program also focuses on projects affecting environmental justice and disadvantaged communities, and includes a variety of eligible report categories such as green infrastructure, stormwater retrofits, and stream culvert repair.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities in New York State for projects that protect and restore stream corridors, promoting ecological health and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities in New York State for developing or expanding food scraps recycling programs to promote sustainable waste management and reduce landfill waste.

This program supports climate technology innovators in New York State by providing mentorship and resources to help scale hardware solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote decarbonization.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF), established in 1986, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of residents in northern Chautauqua. Their focus extends beyond geographic boundaries, aiming to foster a thriving community they proudly call home. Over the years, NCCF has spearheaded numerous projects spanning arts and culture, environment, health and human services, and neighborhood revitalization. NCCF seeks to strategically invest in the community, partnering with nonprofits to address complex issues and seize opportunities for lasting impact. They prioritize proposals that combine passion with thoughtful planning and eagerly await ideas for realizing their vision of a healthy and prosperous community. Their Community Grants Program reviews proposals biannually, in spring and fall. The initial step involves submitting a Letter of Interest, which should include a brief project description aligning with the agency’s mission, anticipated impacts, total project cost, and requested amount. Letters must be two pages or less and submitted electronically by 4:00 p.m. on March 1st or September 1st for consideration. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, though meeting program priorities and guidelines doesn't guarantee an invitation. In evaluating applications, NCCF prioritizes projects' potential community benefits, organizational capacity, meaningful collaborations, and ability to leverage additional funds or resources. Grant proposals must address identified community needs, benefit the northern Chautauqua area, and be submitted by 501(c)3 organizations or appropriate nonprofits. Historically, grants have ranged from $500 to $15,000, with competitive grants typically averaging $1,500 to $3,000. Multi-year funding may be considered based on program outcomes, but organizations can only have one open grant at a time. Expenses like overhead, fundraising campaigns, and unrelated salaries/stipends are generally not funded. Funding for religious organizations is contingent on community benefit and non-proselytization. NCCF prohibits discrimination in hiring, service provision, or volunteer/vendor selection, supporting inclusivity and diversity. For inquiries, Eileen M. Ardillo, the Program Coordinator, can be reached at 716-366-4892 or eardillo@nccfoundation.org. NCCF appreciates collaboration and shares the community's vision for a healthy and prosperous future.

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) grant program, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), offers funding to municipalities to tackle greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and climate change adaptation at a local level. The program is designed to align with broader environmental conservation goals by fostering resilience and reducing environmental impact within New York State communities. It supports projects that either reduce GHG emissions or adapt to the changing climate, directly contributing to a more sustainable future for the state's residents and natural resources. The primary beneficiaries of this program are municipalities across New York State, including counties, cities, towns, villages, and boroughs. The grant aims to reduce risks from climate hazards and decrease GHG emissions, ultimately improving the quality of life and environmental safety for residents. The impact goals are centered on building local capacity to respond to climate change, whether through direct implementation projects or through certification activities that enhance planning and assessment capabilities. The program prioritizes projects that fall into two main categories: Implementation and Certification. Implementation projects are further divided into GHG Mitigation (e.g., reduction of vehicle miles traveled, organic waste, refrigerant management, renewable energy in low-income housing) and Climate Adaptation (reducing risks to residents, infrastructure, and/or natural resources from changing climate hazards). Certification projects focus on assessments, inventories, and planning activities that help municipalities achieve or work towards certified Climate Smart Community status. Projects must demonstrate an ability to identify, mitigate, and/or adapt to climate change vulnerability and risk or demonstrate potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through various mitigation strategies and a meaningful decrease in climate-related risks for residents, infrastructure, and natural resources. For certification projects, the expected outcome is an increased local capacity to respond to climate change, leading to more informed planning and future grant applications. The grant explicitly states that implementation projects must have a minimum useful life of 10 years, ensuring long-term impact. The strategic priority is to empower local governments to take concrete actions against climate change, with a clear theory of change that by funding targeted projects and capacity-building efforts, the state can achieve significant environmental improvements and enhance community resilience.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities, non-profits, and community boards in New York State for revitalizing areas impacted by brownfields through planning and environmental assessments.

The Manhattan Community Awards Program (MCAP) invites applications from Manhattan-based organizations to address key community needs. This grant program, contracted through the Department for the Aging (DFTA), the Department of Corrections (DOC), and the Department of Education (DOE), offers one-time contracts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 as reimbursement grants. The program's mission aligns with supporting local communities by funding initiatives that directly address identified priorities within Manhattan, aiming to foster positive social change and improve the well-being of its residents. The target beneficiaries of the MCAP are diverse, including seniors, youth, and intergenerational populations, as well as participants in arts, composting, and various educational and recreational programs. The program aims to create a tangible impact by supporting services and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for these groups. Impact goals include improving health, fitness, education, nutrition for seniors, increasing access to arts and cultural programming, promoting climate mitigation and resiliency through public engagement and green projects, and fostering youth development through sports, arts, and health and wellness programs. The MCAP prioritizes several core focus areas for FY25. These include Senior Programs, encompassing health, fitness, education, nutrition, arts, cultural programming, and food access for seniors. Climate Mitigation and Resiliency is another key area, focusing on public engagement for Manhattan-based resiliency projects, green roof initiatives, hydroponics, and community gardens. Education is also a significant priority, with an emphasis on after-school sports and physical education, youth arts, and youth health and wellness programs. Finally, Anti-Gun Violence Initiatives are critical, supporting intervention programs, social justice-focused arts partnerships, and school-arts organization collaborations pertaining to anti-gun efforts. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the expected outcomes are implicitly linked to the success of programs within the focus areas. For senior programs, outcomes would include improved health metrics, increased social engagement, and enhanced food security. Climate initiatives would aim for increased community participation in environmental projects and the implementation of green infrastructure. Educational and youth programs would strive for improved academic engagement, physical well-being, and artistic development. Anti-gun violence initiatives would seek reductions in violence and increased community safety through intervention and awareness. The program’s strategic priorities are deeply rooted in addressing immediate community needs and fostering a more resilient, educated, and safe Manhattan. Its theory of change posits that by directly funding local organizations that are embedded in these communities, the program can effectively implement solutions tailored to specific challenges, leading to widespread and sustainable community benefits.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to implement community development projects that promote smart growth and environmental protection in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities in New York State for acquiring private forested land to create or expand community forests, enhancing public access and promoting environmental conservation.

This funding opportunity supports private landowners in New York State to establish new forested areas of at least five acres, promoting climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Massachusetts and New York that support young individuals facing intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, or substance use disorders, with a focus on historically marginalized communities.