New York Environment Grants

The Seeds of Sustainability Grant Program provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations that would like to improve their capacity to achieve their mission and do transformative work within the food system. Donor Name: Western New York Foundation State: New York County: Allegany County (NY), Cattaraugus County (NY), Chautauqua County (NY), Erie County (NY), Genesee County (NY), Niagara County (NY), Wyoming County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program provides financial assistance to help the organization develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to enhance their operations and achieve sustainable growth. They support a range of activities and support services tailored to the specific needs of the organization. These may include: Support Strategic Leadership to develop strong board and staff leadership and assist grantees in implementing strategic priorities during critical periods of growth and revitalization. Foster Collaboration to strengthen community engagement and support collaborative and strategic relationship efforts that will result in stronger and expanded services. Strengthen Communications to support communications efforts that raise awareness about an organization’s mission and attract attention and resources to the organization’s cause. Expand Resources and Stabilize Financials to develop financial stability by increasing the ability of the nonprofit to develop necessary resources and plan for longer-term sustainability. Promote Programming Excellence to enhance the provision of services by strengthening the nonprofit’s ability to program and evaluate its work. Enhance Operational Effectiveness to improve day-to-day operational productivity and enhance nonprofit functioning in areas such as administration, grant management, finance, human resources, technology, and facility management. Geographical Areas  Organizations applying for grants must be headquartered within the 7 counties of WNY: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming.  Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be a non-profit organization who has obtained tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code. Applicant must demonstrate a commitment to driving transformative change in local or regional food system. Applicant must have three years of 990 filings. Applicant must be a small to mid-size organization. Small to mid-size being defined as organizations with budgets between $100,000 and $6,000,000. For more information, visit Western New York Foundation.

This funding opportunity supports local artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties to create new public art projects that engage and involve their communities.

The Berkeley FILM Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of first-ever short fiction film grant program. Donor Name: Berkeley Film Foundation (BFF) State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Berkeley FILM Foundation will provide grants in the pre-production, production, postproduction and distribution stages of the narrative short film project. The Berkeley FILM Foundation is interested in short, fiction films that use creative, thoughtful and innovative methods to tell a story with a strong theme of social or environmental justice. The review committee will be judging films based on originality, imagination and technical skill. Types of Grants  BFF has two tiers of grants available to filmmakers in the Narrative Film Grant Program: special awards and general grants. General Grants  General grants awarded will range between $5,000 – $10,000. The amount of the award will be determined by several aspects of the application including (but not limited to) the line items outlined in the project budget, the intended use of the grant, the stage of the project you are in and the team behind the project. If you receive less money than you asked for, it is usually because they have run low on allocated funds but want to support the project for its creativity or cultural or social relevancy and BFF’s small grant will help inspire other organizations to give larger amounts. The Saul Zaentz Awards: Two separate $25,000 grants This has historically been the Berkeley FILM Foundation’s highest award given each year and is the most prestigious. This is the first year they are introducing a second Saul Zaentz Award for $25,000. These films are chosen during final deliberation of the review committee and these films will embody the mission and purpose of the organization and its commitment to social justice. The grants are named after world-renowned film producer, Saul Zaentz, who was an original founder of the Berkeley FILM Foundation. Eligible Genre Short Form Narratives (40 minutes or less). Eligibility Criteria  To be considered for this grant, you must work or live in the city of Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Oakland or Alameda. You must provide a valid street address for application. PO Box addresses will not be accepted. Applicants may submit one project for consideration per funding cycle. The applicant must be: The Director, co-director, Producer or co-Producer of the films. Organizations may not apply. Be at least 18 years of age. For more information, visit BFF.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public and private primary and secondary schools in New York City to promote hands-on gardening and farming education for students.

The Air Products Greater Massena Community Fund provides financial support to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and local governing bodies for a wide variety of programs, projects, and initiatives that improve the quality of life for residents in the Greater Massena community. Donor Name: Northern New York Community Foundation State: New York County: Franklin County (NY), Saint Lawrence County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding will be awarded to programs/projects benefiting community needs in areas including, but not limited to health and wellness, arts and culture, human services, education, families, youth and/or elders, environment and conservation, community development, recreation, and more. Each request will be evaluated for its potential impact on the Massena community and, in particular, its support for disadvantaged communities, the amount of funding available for disbursement, and the quality of the planning, leadership, and support of the applicant’s proposal.  Funding Information Up to $7,500 per grant application. Geographical Areas Greater Massena community within St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. For more information, visit Northern New York Community Foundation.

This program provides financial support to individual artists from the Bronx across various disciplines, encouraging their creative work and community engagement through public service activities.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF)(formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund) to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests and grasslands that provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/11/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The program will advance this goal by investing in projects that: Restore the quality and connectivity of stream and riparian habitats with a focus on improving habitat for river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout and wood turtles; Improve management of forest blocks to enhance age and structural diversity, resulting in improved forest conditions for native wildlife, with a focus on improving habitat for golden-winged warbler and New England cottontail; and, Promote hayfield management that allows for successful grassland bird breeding, with a specific focus on habitat for bobolink. Approximately $2 million is available this year. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation and Sylvamo. Program Priorities  Proposals should strive to contribute to goals detailed in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), and specifically the strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. (Applicants interested in supporting the priorities for Coastal Habitats in the business plan are encouraged to apply to NFWF’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund and National Coastal Resilience Fund.) Priority implementation strategies for NEFRF funding in 2024 are detailed below. Approximately $625,000 in program funding will be set aside for projects that direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices benefitting select Working Lands for Wildlife target species, especially northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers. Projects should Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. In addition, projects that incorporate outreach to communities, foster community engagement, and pursue collaborative management leading to measurable conservation benefits are encouraged. When possible, projects should be developed through community input and co-design processes and should consider traditional knowledge where relevant. Additionally, projects should engage community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to help design, implement, and maintain projects to secure maximum benefits for communities, maintenance, and sustainability post-grant award. Grant Period Projects should plan to start no later than six months after the award date and be completed within three years. Geographical Areas  Projects are eligible from throughout the program boundary, which includes all of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as parts of New York. However, within the Long Island Sound and Connecticut River watershed, NEFRF will only consider projects to sustain and restore healthy forests, grasslands and fish passage projects. All other projects should apply to the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF). Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, unincorporated individuals and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

This grant provides $8,000 in unrestricted funds to support individual artists and collaborative groups in New York State or Tribal Nations, allowing them to pursue their creative vision without project-specific requirements.

This funding opportunity supports not-for-profit organizations and local governments in New York to create community gardens that provide fresh food and nutrition education to low-income populations eligible for SNAP benefits.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and individual artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties to create public art projects that engage the community and enhance arts participation.

This grant provides financial support to primary and secondary schools in New York City to create gardening projects that promote hands-on learning and environmental awareness among students.

This program provides funding for community-based arts projects in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties, aimed at enhancing public engagement and accessibility to the arts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for K-12 schools, nonprofits, and local governments in the Delaware Bay watershed to implement hands-on environmental education programs that promote student engagement and community involvement.

The Land Trust Alliance, with support from Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Legislature, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, is pleased to announce a third round of competitive land trust grants through the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trust Program. This new public-private partnership is funded through the state Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the Alliance, in coordination with the DEC. Up to $1.35 million in funding is available through the 2024 grant round which will be awarded in the fall of 2024. Grant awards are contingent upon the receipt of state funds. The program has a two-step application process which includes a preapplication and a full application. Preapplications are now being accepted and are due by May 10. Full applications are by invitation only. Applicants invited to submit a full application will be notified by June 14. Full applications will be due July 29. Preapplications and full applications must be completed through our online application and reporting system. Complete details about this grant opportunity including eligibility requirements and other program elements can be found below. Please review carefully as you evaluate whether your project is a potential fit. Visit the FCELT webpage for more information including: • 2024 Roundtables Schedule • Resource Guide • Frequently Asked Questions The Alliance reserves the right to amend the request for applications specifications to correct errors or oversights, or to supply additional information, as it becomes available. Preapplications due by 05/10/2024, Full applications due by 07/29/2024

The Northern New York Community Foundation is accepting applications for the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund, offering grants between $10,000 to $100,000 to charitable organizations in St. Lawrence County that work in arts and culture, conservation and wildlife preservation, education, and health and well-being, with a deadline of October 18, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofits, municipalities, and educational institutions to improve public access to the Hudson River estuary, focusing on recreational activities and climate resilience, particularly for disadvantaged communities.

This funding opportunity provides $7.34 million to nonprofit organizations in New York that are working to address environmental issues and promote community health and development through research-based projects.

This grant provides funding to municipalities, non-profits, and educational institutions in New York to restore and improve the health of tributaries in the Hudson River Estuary watershed, enhancing habitats and community resilience to flooding.

This funding opportunity provides financial and technical assistance to New York municipalities for projects that revitalize waterfront areas, enhance climate resilience, and improve public access and water quality.

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is offering $325 million in grants for clean and drinking water projects to selected municipalities with infrastructure projects that protect public health and/or water quality. Donor Name: New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation State: New York County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: EFC and the NYS Department of Health (DOH) will evaluate all applications based on factors including protection of public health and water quality; median household income; population served; governmental and community support; environmental justice considerations; and the readiness of the project to proceed. WIIA Clean Water Projects An applicant with an eligible clean water project may receive a WIIA grant award as described below: A project, including all phases of the project, may be awarded the lesser of $25 million or 25% of net eligible project costs (total eligible project costs less any third-party grants awarded in respect of the project) Any grants administered through EFC will not be used to calculate net eligible project costs. Projects serving small, rural, and disadvantaged communities with a population of 3,500 or less may qualify for an enhanced WIIA award which will fund 50% of net eligible project costs. If a municipality applies for more than one project during the current round, EFC will prioritize the awards based on the scores of the projects until all the projects have received 25% of net eligible project costs or the $5 million cap per municipality has been reached. If the highest scoring project submitted by the municipality is awarded a grant that exceeds $5 million, the remaining applications will not be eligible for additional grant in the current round. WIIA Drinking Water Projects An applicant with an eligible drinking water project may receive WIIA grant funding as described below: A project addressing an emerging contaminant (EC) above the current State determined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) may be awarded 70% of net eligible project costs with no cap. All other projects, which include all phases of the project, and including a project that addresses an EC below the State MCL may be awarded the lesser of $5 million or 60% of net eligible project costs. A Municipality may apply for a WIIA grant on more than one project, but each municipality is limited to receiving no more than $5 million per year, unless they have a project(s) that address an EC above the current State determined MCL. IMG Clean Water and Drinking Water Projects Cooperating municipalities with an eligible project may receive an IMG grant award as described below: The lesser of $30 million or 40% of net eligible project costs. A municipality is limited to receiving one IMG grant per year. If a municipality is awarded grant funds totaling more than $10 million for a project the grant(s) will be allocated over multiple years in increments not to exceed $10 million per year. Eligibility Criteria A WIIA grant or IMG grant is available only to a municipality, which is defined to include a county, city, town, village, district corporation, county or town improvement district, school district, Indian nation or tribe recognized by the state or the United States with a reservation wholly or partly within the boundaries of New York State, any public benefit corporation or public authority established pursuant to the laws of New York or any agency of the State that is empowered to construct and operate a water quality infrastructure project. Eligible projects include water quality infrastructure projects at municipally-owned sewage treatment works2 OR municipally-owned public water systems3 for: Construction, replacement, or repair of infrastructure; or Upgrades to comply with environmental and public health laws and regulations related to water quality; System upgrades and innovative pilot technologies to combat one or more EC, such as PFOA, PFOS and 1,4 dioxane; and System upgrades to address combined and/or sanitary sewer overflow impacts from sustained rain events Each WIIA and IMG project must meet the following criteria:  Result in construction for the requested scope; Not be for the construction of infrastructure that exclusively supports residential or commercial development; Must not have issued a Notice to Proceed before October 1, 2022 for construction of the project; Not have completed construction before June 14, 2024; and Include the applicable EFC terms and conditions in all contracts. Each IMG project must meet the following criteria: Serve multiple municipalities; Be a shared drinking water or sewage treatment infrastructure project, such as: More than one municipality jointly undertaking a capital improvement project, Consolidation of intermunicipal facilities, Joint upgrades to shared water quality infrastructure, Regional wastewater or water facilities, or Interconnection of multiple municipal water systems. Have a valid and binding project Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) between at least two cooperating municipalities for the financing and implementation of the IMG project that describes the proposed project, the role of each municipality, and the costs attributable to each municipality; and Designate a “lead municipality” that applies on behalf of all cooperating municipalities. For more information, visit NYSEFC.