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

DOL Accepting Applications for Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants until September 19  

The Department of Labor (DOL) Mine Safety and Health Administration is accepting applications for the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grant. Applications are due September 19, 2025.  

Funding supports education and training programs to help mining communities identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe and unhealthy working conditions in and around mines.  

The focus for safety initiatives includes but is not limited to:  

• Powered haulage and mobile equipment safety 
• Mine emergency preparedness and rescue 
• Electrical safety  
• Training for new and inexperienced miners 
• Pillar safety for underground mines 
• Personal protective equipment 
• Environmental and health hazards such as respirable dust 

Eligible applicants include, county governments, public and state higher education institutions, federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations, city or town governments, special district governments, state governments and non-profits. Awards range from $50,000 to $250,000.  

Learn more about the program’s requirements on Grants.gov.  

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 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.   

Florida Opportunities

DEP Accepting Applications for Florida Recreation Development Assistance Grant Until September 30 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting applications for the Florida Recreation Development Assistance grant. 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.   

Learn more about this opportunity on DEP’s website.   

DEP Accepting Florida Forever Applications Until October 15  

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting applications for the Florida Forever program until October 15, 2025.  

Funding supports recreation activities and conservation of the state’s natural and cultural heritage through land acquisition. Applications are ranked within the goals of the Florida Forever Priority List as determined by the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC).  

The six Florida Forever categories include:  

• Critical Natural Lands 
• Partnerships and Regional Incentives 
• Less-Than-Fee 
• Climate Change Lands 
• Substantially Complete  
• Critical Historical Resources  

DEP will also host an informational webinar on September 16, 2025, to review the application process, requirements, and selection criteria. Interested applicants can register for the webinar here. 

Learn more about the Florida Forever Program, other deadlines, and eligibility requirements.  

Maine Opportunities

Maine DOT Accepting Applications for Small Harbor Improvement Program on Ongoing Basis  

The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) is accepting applications for the Small Habor Improvement Program (SHIP) on an ongoing basis. Maine DOT will schedule a site visit after the letter of intent is filed.  

Funding supports municipalities in improving or creating facilities, such as public wharves, piers, landings and boat ramps. The funding objective is to promote economic development, public access, improved commercial fishing opportunities and to preserve, and build, infrastructure at facilities in tidewater and coastal municipalities. 

Eligible projects must:  

• Improve public access to the water for commercial and recreational fishermen and other resource-and tourism-related industries 
• Be on current or proposed public access facilities.  
• Have approval from local elected officials for local match  

The program provides up to $250,000 in assistance, with a required 50% local share. Visit the Maine DOT website to learn more about the application process, and to view associated documents and resources.  

Massachusetts Opportunities

Drought Resiliency and Water Efficiency Grant Program Coming Soon 

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has released a Notice of Intent to Announce for the second round of the Drought Resiliency and Water Efficiency Grant Program (DRWE). 

Funding supports projects that promote climate resiliency by reducing indoor and outdoor water use, improving water loss controls, and increasing drought management planning in communities and public water systems in the state.  

Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:  

• Comprehensive water loss control program development 
• Piloting new regional collaboration 
• Residential water use and unaccounted-for water compliance plan assistance 
• Data management and analysis assistance to inform water efficiency programs   
• Irrigation system audits and upgrades  
• Drought resilient landscape transformation plans and implementation 
• Bathymetric surveys, stage storage curve development, reservoir water level measurement implementation   
• Development of water use restriction programs 

Eligible applicants include municipalities, public water suppliers, nonprofits, public schools, colleges, or universities, and regional planning agencies. Collaboration between multiple organizations and regional focused projects are encouraged.  

The award ceiling is expected to be $50,000 per project, however there may be larger awards depending on the number of applications received.  

Applicants are required to have a profile on the EEA’s grant management system and will apply through that portal.  

View this opportunity on Commbuys for additional information.  

Seaport Economic Council Grant Applications Due September 10 

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) is accepting applications for the FY26 Seaport Economic Council Grant until September 10, 2025.  

Funding supports infrastructure projects in coastal communities that enhance or enable economic activity. This is a competitive grant that provides capital funding for community planning and investment activities to support economic development of the blue economy. This includes the development of maritime technologies and innovation and the construction, improvement, repair, maintenance, or protection of coastal assets. 

The program also supports the planning, prioritization, selection, and implementation of projects that consider the impacts of climate change and integrate the state’s integrated hazard mitigation and climate adaptation plans.  

All 78 coastal communities in Massachusetts are eligible to apply. Review the Notice of Funding Availability, and review the project overview and application.  

Rhode Island Opportunities

DEM Accepting Applications for 2026 Outdoor Recreation Grant Until November 18 

The Rhode Island Department of Enviornmental Management (DEM) is currently accepting applications for the Outdoor Recreation Grant. Applications are due November 18, 2025.  

Funding supports the acquisition, development, and renovation of outdoor recreational lands and facilities. Eligible applicants include municipalities and recognized Native American Tribes.  

Funding categories include:  

• Large Recreation Development Grants, with up to 75% matching funds to award maximum of $500,000  
• Small Recreation Development Grants, with up to 75% matching funds to award maximum of $125,000 
• Recreation Acquisition Grants, with up to 50% matching funds to award maximum of $500,000 

Visit the DEM website for additional eligibility requirements and the application form.  

Cultural Facilities Grant Program Accepting Applications Until October 1  

2025 round of the Cultural Facilities Grant Program is currently accepting applications. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2025.  

Funding supports capital improvement planning, preservation, renovation, and new construction projects for public and non-profit artistic performance centers, historical sites, museums, and cultural art centers in Rhode Island.  

Projects of interest include:  

• Removal of barriers to the attendance and participation of people with disabilities, such as wheelchair access, captioning, assistive listening, and audio description equipment  
• Projects from organizations that represent historically marginalized communities in their mission, programming, staff leadership, and board 
• Projects that can demonstrate a positive impact on employment and the local economy once completed 
• Projects that increase energy efficiency, sustainability, or address code compliance issues  

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and culture organizations which lease or own the performance or exhibition space. City or state facilities may not apply for funding directly, however non-profits operating in city-owned structures are eligible to apply for structures designated for the production, presentation, and exhibition of the arts. Applicants can only submit one application per grant round, and they must own or operate in the property for which funding is requested.  

The award maximum is $500,000, and a 1:1 is required. Matching requirements may vary depending on the size of the request.  

Learn more about this program and access relevant documents here.  

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