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!

Federal Opportunities

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 an informational webinar on August 19, 2025.  

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

USDA Accepting Applications for Rural Housing Preservation Grant Until September 4th  

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently accepting applications for the Rural Housing Preservation Grant. Applications are due September 4, 2025.  

Funding supports very low and low income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas, and assists rental property owners and cooperative housing complexes in repairing units if such units are available to low and very low income persons. 

Eligible applicants include county governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, nonprofits, city or town governments, and Native American tribal organizations.  

The estimated program funding is $13.1 million, and approximately $2.1 million is available for disaster assistance with a $50,000 award ceiling. Disaster assistance grants must be utilized for presidentially declared disaster areas in calendar year 2022.  

Access additional information and view the opportunity on Grants.gov.  

Florida Opportunities

DEP To Begin Accepting Applications for Florida Recreation Development Assistance Grant Starting September 1st

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin accepting applications for the Florida Recreation Development Assistance grant on September 1, 2025. Applications are due September 30, 2025.  

Funding supports the acquisition or development of land for public outdoor recreation. Eligible applicants include county and municipal governments, as well as other legally constituted local governmental entities with the responsibility of providing outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the general public. Applications must be submitted through the DEP’s Grantee Portal.  

DEP will host an information webinar on August 20, 2025 to provide guidance on the application process, prospective applicants can register for the webinar here.  

Learn more about this opportunity on DEP’s website.  

Massachusetts Opportunities

MassDOT FY26 Complete Streets Round 2 Deadlines Approaching

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) as several key deadlines for the Fiscal Year 2026 Complete Streets Round 2 approaching.  

• The next deadline for submitting updated or new Tier 2 Prioritization Plans is September 2nd, to be eligible to apply for upcoming Tier 3 project funding.  
• Tier 3 project funding applications will be accepted from September 2nd through October 1st.  

Funding for Complete Streets supports addressing transportation network gaps by giving municipalities tools and funding to provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes. The program provides both technical assistance and construction funding.  

To be eligible for funding municipalities must pass a Complete Streets Policy and develop a Prioritization Plan. If your community’s Prioritization Plan has already been approved and requires no update, then your community is ready to apply for Tier 3 funding round. Prospective applicants may also use the State Aid Reimbursable Program Cost Estimating Tool (SARPET) to assist with application scope and detail estimates.  

Tier 3 maximum award is $500,000 over the course of four fiscal years. Communities may check their funding eligibility here.  

Applications will be accepted on Grant Central, where prospective applicants can also find additional eligibility requirements, and materials. Users must create an account to apply.  

New Mexico Opportunities

New Mexico Disaster Recovery Funding Available for 2024 Fires and Floods  

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) has received funding for disaster recovery for the 2024 fires and floods. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR).  

DHSEM is now accepting intent-to-apply forms.  

Funding supports long term disaster recovery and addresses unmet needs of communities impacted by the 2024 South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and subsequent Flooding (DR-4795-NM); and New Mexico Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4843-NM).  

Approximately $137 million is available from the appropriation. Multiple programs exist under the CDBG-DR umbrella, each with it’s own eligibility requirements and available funding.  

Learn more about this opportunity on the DHSEM’s website.  

DFA Accepting Applications for New Mexico Match Fund on Rolling Basis 

The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) is accepting applications for the New Mexico Matching Fund on a rolling basis.  

Funding helps entities meet minimum match requirements on federal grants. The funding objective is to leverage federal funding for infrastructure, research, economic development, energy, and other critical projects. The Match Fund is made up of three programs, Matching Grants, Project Implementation Grants, and Federal Compliance Offset Grants.  

Eligible applicants include state agencies, tribal governments, counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions.  

Funding for Fiscal Year 2026 includes:  

• $50 million for matching grants 
• $4 million for project implementation  
• $17.5 million for federal compliance offset 

To learn more about this opportunity and other requirements visit the DFA’s website.  

Vermont Opportunities

Vermont Arts Council Accepting Applications for Creative Aging Grants Until October 17th 

The Vermont Arts Council is currently accepting applications for the Creative Aging Grant. Applications are due October 17, 2025.  

Funding supports skill based instruction and opportunities for social engagement and community building through the arts for older adults, aged 60+. Priority is given to projects facilitated by Vermont artists and projects aligned with the Council’s approach for creative aging.  

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profits such as arts organization, area agencies on aging, or social service organizations. The award ceiling is $6,000.  

Eligible example projects include:  

• Hiring teaching artist to lead photography workshops with local senior center 
• Hiring teaching artist to lead remote workshops in the homes of older adults  
• Hiring teaching artists to work with older adults at events organized at a local library, arts organization, or community center 

A virtual workshop for prospective applicants will be held on September 4th.  

To learn more about this opportunity, see past projects, and access additional information visit the Vermont Arts Council website.  

Vermont Arts Council Accepting Applications for Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grants Until October 17th 

The Vermont Arts Council is currently accepting applications for the Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grant. Applications are due October 17, 2025.  

Funding supports arts and arts-integrated experiences through partnerships with arts organizations or with highly qualified teaching artists in pre-school classrooms. The funding objective is to support early education programs with direct opportunities for children to gain an appreciation for the arts and be better prepared for school.  

Eligible applicants include public schools and districts with preschools, 501(c)(3) non-profits such as arts organizations, Head Start centers, or social service organizations. The award ceiling is $6,000.  

This program will replace the Head Start Arts Integration Program, and the program will prioritize partnerships and programming designed to address equity challenges.  

Eligible example projects include:  

• Employing a teaching artists for a multi-day residency 
• Incorporating arts and arts-integrated activities in the classroom 
• Promoting opportunities for interaction, collaboration and planning between teaching artists and classroom teachers 

To learn more about this opportunity, see past projects, and access additional information visit the Vermont Arts Council website.  

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