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 

DEEP Currently Accepting Applications for Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Until November 3 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is accepting applications for the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant. The application deadline is November 3, 2025.  

Funding supports the development or enhancement of urban green spaces for public enjoyment and environmental education. Activities considered promotion of open space in an urban setting may include but are not limited to, developing a community garden, reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for public use.  

Eligible applicants include municipalities, and registered non-profits. Projects must be located in either a distressed municipality, targeted investment community, or environmental justice community.  

Grants will be awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.  This grant requires a 50% match.  

For more information on project guidelines, FAQs, and another resources, visit DEEP’s website.  

Federal Opportunities

EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant Due September 26

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications for the FY26 Brownfields Job Training Grants. The deadline for applications is September 26, 2025.  

Funding supports programs that recruit, train, and place local unemployed and under-employed residents with skills needed to secure employment in the environmental field. Areas in the environmental field may include sustainable remediation, chemical safety, and site preparation for brownfield revitalization.  

Eligible uses of funding include but are not limited to:  

• Personnel costs 
• Personnel and data infrastructure costs 
• Recruitment, screening, and placement costs 
• Training materials and work gear for curriculum 
• Curricula development and refinement 
• On the job training insurance for trainees  
• Health exam costs, drug testing costs, or licensing fees associated with training or placement 
• Rental fees of training facilities  

The maximum award ceiling is $500,000, with about $14 million available in the entire program. The EPA held an outreach webinar on this opportunity which can be rewatched.  

Read more about this opportunity and download essential documents on the program page, or view this opportunity on Grants.gov.  

EPA Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Due October 6

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently accepting applications for the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant. Applications are due October 6, 2025.  

Funding supports medium and large size public water systems with protecting drinking water resources from natural hazards, extreme weather events, and cybersecurity threats. Funding can be used for the planning, design, construction, implementation, operation, or maintenance of a program or project that increases resilience of public water systems.  

Example projects may include:  

• Conservation of water or enhancement of water use efficiency 
• Modification or relocation of existing drinking water system infrastructure significantly impaired by natural hazards 
• Design or construction of desalination facilities 
• Enhancement of water supply through watershed management and source water protection 
• Enhancement of energy efficiency or the use and generation of renewable energy in the conveyance or treatment of drinking water 
• Formation of regional water partnerships to collaboratively address documented water shortages 

Eligible applicants include public water systems that serve a population of 10,000 or more. Midsized communities are identified as having a population between 10,000 and 100,000 individuals, while a large community has a population of 100,000 or more.   

Approximately $9.5 million is available in competitive funding. The EPA will host and informational webinar on August 19, 2025.  

Read more about this opportunity on the EPA’s website or view the listing on Grants.gov.  

Florida Opportunities

Applications for Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Capital Outlay Grant Program Due August 15

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications to the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront Capital Outlay (SMWWCO) grant program until August 15, 2025.   

Funding is provided by the Florida Communities Trust and supports commercial fishing and marine aquaculture industries by funding infrastructure that supports seafood harvesting, processing, and distribution. Eligible applicants include marine aquaculture facilities, and entities that hold a commercial saltwater product, wholesale dealer, or retailer licenses, as well as seafood houses.   

Prospective applicants may watch the program informational webinar from July 28, 2025 to better understand eligibility and application requirements.   

Applications must be submitted through DEP’s grant portal. Additional information can be found on DEP’s website.  

DEP Accepting Applications for Resilient Florida Until September 1 

The 2025 Resilient Florida application portal is currently accepting submissions. This program is designed to invest in Florida’s communities to prepare for the impacts of sea level rise, intensified storms, and flooding along inland waterways, coastlines, and shores.   

Resilient Florida grants are available to counties, municipalities and special districts that face these challenges. Applicants may receive funding to analyze vulnerabilities, and plan or implement projects for adaptation or mitigation.   

Important dates for specific funding streams include:   

• Planning projects: Applications accepted July 1 – Sept. 1, 2025  
• Implementation projects to be included in the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan: Applications accepted July 1 – Sept. 1, 2025  

To see past awards from this program visit the Resilient Florida Grants Dashboard. For more information about how to apply, visit the Florida DEP website. 

Maine Opportunities

GEO Accepting Applications for Clean Energy Partnership: Residential Energy Efficiency Workforce Training Grants Until September 17 

The Maine Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) is accepting applications for the Clean Energy Partnership: Residential Energy Efficiency Workforce Training Grant. Applications are due September 17, 2025.  

Funding supports workforce development and training in the residential energy efficiency sector. Funding goals include increasing the number of new energy efficiency workers in the state, providing upskilling opportunities for existing workers, preparing contractors for business growth and delivery of home energy efficiency and electrification rebates and programs, and increase the number and availability of energy efficiency workers and contractors in the state.  

Eligible applicants must be capable of providing the proposed services at a location within the State of Maine.  

Eligible services include but aren’t limited to:  

• Short term workforce training 
• Pre-apprenticeships 
• Paid internships and on the job training 
• Registered apprenticeships 
• Scholarships for certification programs  

Award amounts range from $100,000 to $450,000. There is a total of $1,220,000 available in the program.  

Read the announcement about this program from the GEO and find and access the full packet for more information.  

Massachusetts Opportunities

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Deadline August 18

The Massachusetts Trial Court is currently accepting applications for the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA) Grant. The application deadline is August 18, 2025.  

Funding is provided by the US Economic Development Administration. The purpose of this funding is to provide CDL-A Licensure Training, pathways to employment, career placement services, post-hire advancement support and partnerships with local employers for 150-175 probationers throughout Massachusetts. The objective of this grant is to expand vocational services and reduce recidivism by developing opportunities to enhance reentry and job training.  

To be eligible for funding applicants must be able to provide evidence of potential employer partnerships in Massachusetts, be experienced in supporting vulnerable populations, able to provide a budget of costs, and be capable of working with justice-involved individuals.  

There is a total of $1.6 million in available funding, and no match is required for this grant.  

Application materials must be submitted on COMMBUYS by August 18, 2025. Review necessary attachments and guidelines on the COMMBUYS listing.  

New Hampshire Opportunities

NHDES Accepting Applications for Granite State Clean Fleets Grant on Rolling Monthly Basis  

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is currently accepting applications for the Granite State Clean Fleets program on a rolling monthly basis until March 30, 2026.  

Funding is provided by the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust and takes the form of a competitive reimbursement program. Funding supports the replacement of diesel-powered units with newer, cleaner alternative fuel or diesel-powered units.  

Eligible applicants include municipalities, state agencies, and other public entities like school districts, transit agencies, community colleges and universities.  

Eligible projects include:  

• Diesel to diesel unit replacement 
• Diesel to alternative fuel unit replacements 
• Examples include compressed natural gas, electric batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, propane, or hybrid units 
• Marine shore power installation  

NHDS expects this will be the final funding opportunity for unit replacement and marine shore power instillation projects under the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust. An informational webinar will be held on August 13.  Additional information and contact information for technical services can be found on the NHDES website.  

New Mexico Opportunities

Arts & Cultural District Pilot Grant Program Accepting Applications Until August 29

The New Mexico Economic Development Department: Creative Industries Division, in collaboration with New Mexico Arts, and New Mexico Mainstreet is accepting applications for the 2025 Arts & Cultural District (ACD) Pilot Grant Program. Applications are due August 29, 2025.  

Funding supports state authorized Arts and Culture Districts to implement creative industry programming and drive local economic growth.  

Eligible program activities include but are not limited to:  

• Artist and creative entrepreneur support: workshops, fellowships, markets, and residencies 
• Cultural tourism and public event development: festivals, interactive tours, cultural mapping 
• Adaptive reuse of cultural or historical infrastructure for creative use 
• Marketing and storytelling campaigns promoting local cultural assets 
• Public art, performance, or media-based storytelling projects  
• Cultural entrepreneurship incubation, pop ups, and business activation 
• Creative placemaking or activation of vacant storefronts and spaces  

Award amounts range from $50,000 to $100,000. An informational webinar will be held on August 8, 2025, to review eligibility, application requirements, timeline, and a Q&A.  

Read the requirements and see the application in the ACD packet.  

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