NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grant Program

The NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grant Program, administered through a collaboration between City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks, supports an equitable and resilient network of publicly accessible parks and open spaces across all five boroughs of New York City. Rooted in a vision of environmental justice and community empowerment, the program funds grassroots organizations to steward, activate, and enhance open spaces through a variety of community-led initiatives. This includes programming that spans environmental education, health and wellness, urban forestry, organizational development, youth engagement, and cultural activities. Funded primarily through private philanthropic support—including from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Con Edison, the Thompson Family Foundation, and others—the program offers direct financial support and technical assistance to eligible organizations. The average grant awarded in the previous cycle was $6,200, with the largest reaching $23,000. Organizations whose total annual expenses are below $175,000 are eligible to apply for either one- or two-year funding cycles, with a maximum allowable request of $40,000 per year. The amount a group may request depends on its prior year’s expenses. Groups with expenses under $10,000 may apply for up to $2,500 annually, while those with larger budgets may apply for up to 25% of their most recent annual expenses, capped at the program maximum. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or groups using a qualified fiscal sponsor. Groups must demonstrate experience working in New York City’s publicly accessible open spaces—including parks, community gardens, street tree beds, NYCHA properties, and waterfronts—and must have a connection to the communities they serve. Applications must be submitted by groups consisting of at least two individuals, and each organization may submit only one application. If an applicant has previously received support from City Parks Foundation or Partnerships for Parks since 2020, they must have submitted all required interim and final reports to qualify for new funding. The fund’s priority areas include projects focused on communities within Environmental Justice Areas, as designated by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, and organizations led primarily by Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color. Urban Forest Grants, supported by Con Edison, are a distinct focus within the program and fund initiatives that promote tree canopy care, education, and stewardship. Applicants proposing urban forestry projects are encouraged to work with Tree Time, NYC Parks Stewardship, or the Forest for All NYC Coalition to strengthen their proposals. Applications are submitted through the City Parks Foundation’s online grants platform, OpenWater. The Spring 2026 deadline for submissions is Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Optional informational webinars were held in January and February 2026. Award notifications are expected by May 2026, with disbursements made shortly after signed agreements are returned. Interim and final reports will be required at mid- and end-points of the grant period. While grant-funded activities must begin no earlier than May 2026, approved two-year grants will receive second-year funding contingent upon successful reporting and continued funding availability. The NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grant Program emphasizes transparency and community participation. The review process involves staff from Partnerships for Parks and City Parks Foundation, as well as external reviewers. Applications are evaluated on criteria such as community need, alignment with funding priorities, feasibility, and budget justification. The fund also advises applicants that the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney in application preparation may negatively affect application scores due to environmental impact and inconsistency in quality.

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