Grant Watch Wednesday

It’s Wednesday and we at Capital Strategic Solutions have compiled the best grant opportunities we’ve found across all the states we serve – just for you! This list covers a number of grants that can assist you in building a stronger community!

Connecticut Opportunities 

Connecticut DEEP Accepting Applications for Trees for Communities Grant until August 31, 2025  

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is currently accepting applications for the Trees for Communities Grant Program. Eligible applicants can apply from now until August 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

This program provides funding to urban and community forestry projects to address the uneven distribution of tree canopies across the state. Projects must increase tree cover or contribute to other urban forestry projects that improve forest health or utilize urban wood.

Projects may include:

• Tree planting on private lands with landowner’s permission
• Engaging groups in urban forestry planning and planting
• Workforce development
• Invasive species management
• Urban wood utilization
• Removing impervious surfaces for tree planting

The department offers timeline and budget templates to support your application, and DEEP will host several office hours along with an informational webinar on July 8, 2025. FAQ’s will be published later in July on the program’s page.

Additional information can be found on the program’s page.

Massachusetts Opportunities

MassDEP Proposals for 2026 Salt Marsh Restoration Grant due July 11, 2025

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Resources is currently accepting proposals for the 2026 Salt Marsh Restoration Grant. Applications are due July 11, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Funding objectives are to support healthy salt marshes in the commonwealth as they are increasingly threatened by sea level rise, excess nutrients, sediment starvation, invasive species, and multi-point degradation. Funding may support pre-design baseline condition assessment, design, construction monitoring, or post-construction monitoring related to ecological restoration projects in salt marshes.

Eligible applicants include academic, governmental, quasi-governmental, and non-profit entities.

Eligible projects may include:

• Ditch remediation
• Tidal restriction removal
• Runneling
• Creation of marsh mounds
• Sediment augmentation
• Vegetation planting to stabilize salt marsh platforms
• Crab herbivory prevention and restoration
• Stormwater management

Per project funding of up to $400,000 is available over a 2 year term. A total of $2 million is available.

View the opportunity on Commbuys.

MA DOER Accepting Applications for Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Accelerator Program

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is accepting applications for the Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Accelerator Program. Funds are available for communities who are designated Climate Leader Community. Applications are due August 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent prior to submitting an application.

The Accelerator Grant provides up to $1 million for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations. Projects must align with the community’s Climate Leader Municipal Decarbonization Roadmap, and prioritize energy use, and energy costs.

Additional information can be found on the Commbuys listing, or in DOER’s informational presentation. To learn how to become a Climate Leader Community, and other grant opportunities for these communities, visit DOER’s Green Communities website.

Rhode Island Opportunities

Rhode Island Division of Forest Environment Accepting Applications for Urban and Community Forestry Program.

The Rhode Island Bureau of Natural Resources, Division of Forest Environment, is currently accepting applications for the Urban and Community Forestry grant program. Applications are due August 30, 2025.

This program provides funding for urban and community forestry, or the management of trees, forests, and related natural resources in populated areas for physiological, sociological, economic, or aesthetic benefits.

Funding is provided by the USDA Forest Service, and eligible applicants include local government, academic institutions, Native American Tribes, Non-Profits, Schools or School Districts, and the State Government.

Awards are between $2,000 and $10,000, and funds must be matched 50/50 with non-federal funds.

Additional information can be found on the Rhode Island Grant website.

Let Capital Strategic Solutions assist with your grant writing, research, and compliance needs.