NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grant Program

The NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grant Program, administered by Partnerships for Parks in collaboration with the City Parks Foundation, supports equitable and resilient networks of parks and open spaces to enhance the well-being of New Yorkers. The program funds grassroots initiatives that activate and enrich parks and open spaces in all five boroughs. Eligible programming areas include stewardship, environmental action, organizational development, youth development, health and wellness, arts and culture, and Urban Forest Grants funded by Con Edison. Funding is paired with technical assistance to help community groups improve their capacity to serve and engage the public. The grant is open to organizations whose total expenses for the most recently completed calendar year were under $175,000. Award amounts range from $1,000 to a maximum of $40,000 per year, depending on the applicant’s annual expenses, with smaller organizations eligible for proportionally smaller maximum requests. The average 2024 award was $5,000, with the largest award at $36,800. Groups with a history of receiving grants from City Parks Foundation or Partnerships for Parks since 2020, and who have submitted all required reports, may apply for two-year funding. In such cases, the first award is disbursed in Fall 2025 and the second in Fall 2026, contingent on satisfactory reporting and continued fund availability. Eligible applicants must be groups of two or more people working in New York City’s publicly accessible open spaces such as parks, playgrounds, community gardens, street trees, NYCHA properties, public plazas, open streets, or waterfronts. Applicants must either be 501(c)(3) organizations or use a fiscal sponsor. Limited one-time fiscal sponsorship may be available through City Parks Foundation. Organizations must demonstrate experience in NYC open spaces and strong ties to the communities served. All prior reporting requirements for past grants must be met before reapplying. Grant funds may be used for equipment, tools, plant materials, supplies, consultants, contractors, professional fees, eligible staffing costs, volunteer stipends, programming, marketing, outreach, and impact assessment. Ineligible costs include non-volunteer maintenance (except tree-related), office overhead, electioneering, lobbying, and litigation. Proposals are evaluated based on equity and communities served, strategic alignment, feasibility, and budget need. Priority is given to projects in Environmental Justice Areas, on NYC parkland, and to organizations led primarily by Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color. Applications must be submitted through the City Parks Foundation’s online system, OpenWater, by Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Optional informational webinars will be held on July 21, July 30, August 5, August 14, and August 18, 2025. Applicants will be notified of decisions by November 2025, with funding available upon return of a signed grant agreement. An interim report will be required halfway through the grant term and a final report upon completion. No funded activities may occur before November 2025. For more information, applicants can review the Grassroots FAQ or contact the PfP grants team at GreenFundGrassroots@cityparksfoundation.org. Details about urban forestry support, including resources such as Tree Time, NYC Parks Stewardship, and Forest for All NYC, are available for those applying for Urban Forest Grants. Public input is encouraged for the NYC Urban Forest Plan, which aims to increase canopy coverage from 22% to 30% by 2035.

Attend optional webinars between July 21 and August 18, 2025, for guidance on competitive applications