2025 Sustainable Communities Grant Program

The Sustainable Communities Grant Program, funded by Atlantic City Electric and administered by Sustainable Jersey, is now in its sixth year of providing support for municipal environmental stewardship and resiliency projects. Atlantic City Electric, part of Exelon Corporation, emphasizes environmental responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion in its operations and community outreach efforts. It has contributed an additional $35,000 for this year’s program, bringing its total support to $345,000. The program encourages underrepresented communities to apply and promotes collaboration between municipalities and nonprofit organizations for broader regional impacts. The grant offers two distinct funding tracks: Environmental Stewardship Grants and Resiliency Grants. Environmental Stewardship Grants are intended to support municipalities in preserving and improving open spaces, parks, and recreation areas, with five grants of $5,000 each available. Resiliency Grants aim to enhance municipal capacity to respond to emergencies and disasters, with two grants of $5,000 each available. Eligible use of funds includes professional fees, public engagement costs, materials, equipment, land acquisition costs, emergency operations planning, and emergency supplies. However, staff salaries and general municipal operating expenses are ineligible. Eligible applicants must be New Jersey municipalities located within Atlantic City Electric’s service area and must be registered or certified with Sustainable Jersey. Municipalities may apply for both types of grants but will only receive one award. Previously awarded municipalities must have completed or be in good standing with their reporting requirements. Projects that have already begun or been completed are not eligible for funding, though expansions of past projects are permitted. Applications must be submitted online by June 30, 2025, through the dedicated portal. A mandatory Grant Authorization Resolution must be submitted by July 31, 2025. Applicants are required to provide detailed project descriptions, action plans, budgets, and demonstrate community engagement and promotion strategies. There is also a required informational webinar on May 19, 2025, and grants will be awarded by late August 2025, with a public announcement event following in late September or early October. Projects must be completed by October 31, 2026, and final reports documenting project impacts, community outreach, and financial summaries must be submitted by that date. Evaluation criteria focus on the project description, qualifications of the project team, thoroughness of the action plan and timeline, level of community engagement, impact and evaluation of the project, and the clarity and feasibility of the budget. Projects must promote both Atlantic City Electric and Sustainable Jersey through project materials and outreach efforts. Signage and social media promotion are required components, and recipients must submit photographic documentation and acknowledgment materials in their final reports.