Western New York Great Lakes Restoration Grant Program

The Western New York Great Lakes Restoration Grant Program (WNYGLRGP) provides federal funding for localized environmental restoration through a private nonprofit administrator. Although the program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), it is managed and administered by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (BNW), a nonprofit organization, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, and the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance. The program supports community-based projects and aims to strengthen local capacity to manage federal funds. WNYGLRGP is designed to assist organizations in implementing on-the-ground restoration activities that address pressing environmental concerns in the Niagara River/Lake Erie watershed of Western New York. The program is particularly encouraging to applicants who are new to federal grant processes, offering training, workshops, and one-on-one assistance throughout the grant lifecycle. This cycle anticipates awarding up to 10 grants totaling $1,650,000, with individual awards ranging from $25,000 to $500,000. No match is required, although applicants may list leveraged funding for context. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments, municipal governments, quasi-municipal entities, and public or nonprofit educational institutions. For-profit businesses and individuals are not eligible to apply or partner, but may be included as contractors through proper procurement processes. All projects must occur within the Niagara River/Lake Erie watershed in Western New York and address at least one of the following priority areas: invasive species control, habitat restoration, or stormwater runoff reduction. Youth education components may be included as long as they are integrated into a broader eligible environmental project. The application process is structured into two stages. First, a Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted no later than 3:00 PM ET on Friday, April 17, 2026. Up to 30 applicants will be selected to proceed to the full application stage in July 2026. Awards will be announced in November 2026, with projects starting no earlier than January 1, 2027 and concluding by September 30, 2029. Key dates include a webinar on March 26, 2026, and the LOI deadline in April. Projects will be evaluated for their alignment with GLRI Action Plan IV Measures of Progress, integration with local or regional environmental priorities, feasibility, community participation plans, and cost-effectiveness. Environmental deliverables must address at least one GLRI metric, such as habitat restoration or stormwater runoff reduction, and link to priorities in planning documents like local waterfront revitalization plans. Community participation is also required, with strategies to ensure awareness, engagement, and meaningful involvement of local residents. Successful applicants will be required to attend two training workshops in Buffalo, submit quarterly reports, comply with EPA subaward and quality assurance requirements, and follow federal procurement guidelines. Awardees will be supported throughout the process by BNW and its partners, with available technical assistance including QAPP consulting for projects requiring environmental data collection. The program offers a comprehensive support structure to ensure both environmental and administrative success.

Applicants should clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes tied to GLRI metrics and ensure meaningful community engagement.