Green Resiliency Grants

The Green Resiliency Grant (GRG) is a competitive funding opportunity offered by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), designed to support flood-prone communities in implementing transformative green infrastructure projects. This grant initiative is part of the state's broader effort to enhance water quality and protect communities from the growing impacts of extreme weather events. Funding for the GRG program is provided in part through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, which allocated $4.2 billion to support environmental infrastructure across the state. The GRG program will allocate $60 million during this current round, with applications due by 5:00 p.m. on August 15, 2025. Awards will support projects that utilize green infrastructure (GI) stormwater management practices or nature-based solutions to reduce combined or sanitary sewer overflows and mitigate risks from extreme weather. Successful projects must be capable of capturing, treating, or increasing the time of concentration for at least 2,500 cubic feet of stormwater during a 90th percentile rainfall event within a defined drainage area. Projects that combine unrelated drainage areas must submit separate applications. Projects must begin construction no later than July 1, 2027, and cannot begin construction prior to award notification. At least 35% of the benefits from the program will be directed to disadvantaged communities. Eligible applicants include municipalities defined under New York State Environmental Conservation Law Article 58, such as counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, public authorities, public benefit corporations, and recognized Indian nations or tribes within the state. State agencies authorized to construct and operate water quality infrastructure projects are also eligible. Applicants must demonstrate ownership interest in the project site and must be able to access, operate, and maintain the project throughout its lifespan. Funding through GRG may cover up to 90% of eligible project costs, with grants ranging from $1 million to $10 million per project. A minimum local match of 10% is required and may be provided through cash, in-kind services, or volunteer labor by qualified individuals. Other state funds cannot be used for matching purposes. Evaluation criteria will include the project's water quality impact, location in disadvantaged communities, climate resilience features, project readiness, and ability to leverage additional funding sources. Projects that have received a previous GRG award or Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) funding for the same work are not eligible. The application process is conducted online through the EFC portal. Each submission must include a feasibility study following EFC’s specific outline, along with a signed grant application certification form and other required documentation as outlined in the GRG Required Documentation Guidance. A pre-application webinar was held on May 21, 2025, and a recording is available on YouTube. Upon award, recipients must comply with various requirements, including SEQRA and SHPO documentation, MWBE and SDVOB goals, final project budgets, and proof of site access rights. Projects receiving other funding must also meet those programs’ compliance obligations, such as Davis-Bacon wage requirements and Build America, Buy America provisions. Further program information is available at https://efc.ny.gov/grg. Applications are being accepted from May 1, 2025, until the August 15, 2025 deadline. The GRG program is not offered on a rolling basis but is expected to recur annually. Thirteen projects were funded in the initial round announced in October 2024. EFC maintains a dedicated support team and public resource center for potential applicants. Contact information for assistance is listed on the EFC website under the Community Assistance Teams section.