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 

DOI Accepting Applications for National Fish Passage Program  

The Department of the Interior (DOI) Fish and Wildlife Service is currently accepting applications for the National Fish Passage Program (NFPP). Applications from invited applicants may be submitted on a rolling basis before December 31, 2025, however regional deadlines may vary. Coordination with regional NFPP staff is required before submission.  

The program provides technical and financial assistance to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic connectivity, improve community safety, and support local economics. Eligible projects may include dam removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration, and the installation of fishways.  

Eligible applicants include small businesses, public housing and Indian housing authorities, public and private higher education institutions, city or town governments, Native American tribal organizations and tribal governments, non-profits, independent school districts, special district governments, county governments, state governments, and individuals.  

The maximum award amount is $1,000,000, with no award floor. The estimated total program funding is $10,000,000.  

See this opportunity and read the other requirements on Grants.gov.  

DOJ Accepting Applications for FY25 Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program Until October 14 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women is currently accepting applications for the FY25 Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program. Applications are due by October 14, 2025.  

Funding supports a 48-month funding opportunity that seeks to support, strengthen, enhance, and expand existing restorative practice programs that prevent or address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.  

Eligible applicants include, Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations, public and stated institutions of higher education, city or town governments, county governments, and non-profits.  

Awards will range from $900,000 to $1,000,000, with an estimated total program funding of $23,000,000.  

Read the full announcement, and other eligibility requirements on Grants.gov.  

DOI Accepting Applications for the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant  

The Department of the Interior (DOI) National Park Service is now accepting applications for the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant. Applications are due by September 30, 2026.  

Funding supports efforts to conserve natural and cultural resources outside of National Park Boundaries. This program assists eligible applicants with the preservation of eligible Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefields through acquisition of fee-simple or less-than-fee (easement) interests. Funding for the BLAG program is made available from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Recipients are required to provide public access and enjoyment of the lands and are subject to LWCF non-conversion requirements.  

Eligible applicants include, county governments, state governments, Native American tribal organizations and tribal governments, non-profits, and city or town governments.  

Applications are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis throughout the year. Each grant requires a dollar-for-dollar non-Federal match. The estimated total program funding is $17,400,000.  

Learn more about this program and its eligibility requirements on Grants.gov.  

Florida Opportunities

Florida Forest Service Accepting Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Applications 

The Florida Forest Service is currently accepting applications for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant, formerly known as the Rural Community Fire Protection Program.  

Funding provides financial, technical, and other assistance to state foresters to organize, train and equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities to prevent and suppress fires.  

Rural communities are defined as having a population of 10,000 or less in the latest Census. Recipients must provide a 50/50 match with non-federal dollars.  

Eligibility requirements include but are not limited to:  

• A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less  
• Area fire departments that serve an aggregated population of more than 10,000 that includes a rural community of 10,000 or less 
• A single county or town with a population of over 10,00 served by two or more fire districts if the fire service area includes a rural community  
• A single community with a population over 10,000 that also provides fire protection to an adjoining rural community by contract.  
• Eligible applicants must be National Incident Management System Compliant  

Preference will be given to applications requesting funding for the purchase of wildland, structural personal protective gear, communications equipment, water handling equipment, and training. The purchase of vehicles and high value equipment is not eligible.  

Read the full eligibility requirements and request an application at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 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

Stormwater MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Application Due October 3 

MassDEP is currently accepting applications for the FY26 Stormwater MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Program. The deadline to apply is October 3, 2025.  

Funding supports projects that will help communities meet the requirements of the 2016 Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. The objective of the permit is to reduce stormwater pollution through coordinated partnerships and resource sharing.  

Eligible applicants include groups of two or more Massachusetts Municipalities that are subject to the 2016 Small MS4 General Permit, regional planning agencies acting on behalf of two or more eligible municipalities, stormwater coalitions, or non-profits acting on behalf of two more eligible municipalities.   

 Eligible projects include but are not limited to:  

• Assessment tools for identifying retrofit sites 
• Data intake and field certification tools for best management practices  
• Formation of new regional MS4 coalitions or stormwater enterprise funds 
• MS4 capital investments 
• Outreach and education services, materials, and strategies 
• Survey research 
• Asset management tools for tracking and maintaining stormwater infrastructure 
• MS4 job training opportunities  

Awards may range from $50,000 to $75,000 per applicant, with a total program funding of $250,000. An informational webinar will be held on September 10, 2025. Interested attendees must contact Courtney Starling via email at Courtney.starling@mass.gov with ‘FY 2026 MS4 Pre-Application Meeting Details’ in the email subject line. 

For more information visit MassDEP’s page for the Stormwater MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant.   

Water Management Act Grant Application Due October 3 

MassDEP is currently accepting applications from Public Water Suppliers for the Water Management Act Grant Program. Applications are due October 3, 2025.  

Funding supports projects providing planning assistance for drought and resiliency planning, rate studies, and implementation assistance for demand management, minimization, and mitigation activities for new withdrawal impacts.  

Eligible applicants include public water suppliers with a WMA permit or permit application under review, or public water suppliers with a WMA registration. Cooperative proposals are encouraged.  

Awards may range from $20,000 to $600,000 per applicant with total program funding of $1,000,000. For more eligibility requirements and resources visit the MassDEP website.  

SFY2026 Shannon Community Safety Initiative Applications Due September 26 

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is accepting applications for the Shannon community Safety Initiative (CSI). Applications are due September 26, 2025.  

Funding supports reducing gang violence through evidence-based approaches. The program’s strategy focuses include, social intervention, suppression, opportunity provision, organizational change, and community mobilization. The program supports regional, multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang violence through coordinated prevention, intervention, law enforcement, prosecution, and reentry programs. 

Multi-disciplinary collaborations are eligible to apply. Multiple municipalities may apply as a collaborative group, and additional program partners may include local, state, and nonprofit organizations.  

Approximately $8,457,102 will be awarded in this round.  

Learn more about the program on the program’s website, and view this opportunity on Commbuys.  

SFY2026 Shannon Local Action Research Parter Grant Applications Due September 26 

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is accepting applications for the Shannon Community Safety Initiative Local Acton Research Parter Grant (Shannon SCI LARP). Applications are due September 26, 2025.  

Funding provides strategic, analytic, technical and research support to program sites. The program supports regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang violence through coordinated prevention and intervention, law enforcement, prosecution, and reintegration type programs. 

Examples of LARP technical assistance for eligible projects includes but is not limited to, use and implementation of individual and community risk assessment tools, and quarterly reporting.  

Eligible applicants include Massachusetts public, quasi-public, and private entities or nonprofit research entities established to fulfill a primary public purpose.  

Applicants may request between $25,200 and $57,500. Approximately $616,300 will be awarded in this round.  

Learn more about the program on the program’s website and view the opportunity on Commbuys.  

Vermont Opportunities

AARP Vermont Accepting Applications for Livable Community Winter Placemaking Grant until October 3 

AARP Vermont is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Vermont’s Livable Community Program Winter Placemaking Grants. The application deadline is October 3, 2025.  

AARP Vermont strives to promote livable communities with affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community services, and adequate mobility options to facilitate independence and engagement for older adults.  

The 2025 Winter Placemaking Grant provides funding to reinvent indoor or outdoor public spaces to improve safety, accessibility, and overall appeal. Funding objectives include:  

• Creating or improving existing local efforts within a community and enhancing perceptions and attitudes toward community change. 
• Recognizing how placemaking and community design promote successful aging, equity, health, and livability for older adults. 
• Expanding resources or toolkits for building healthier, more vibrant public spaces in the winter months.  

Eligible applicants include non-profits, ad hoc community groups, municipalities, statewide governmental organizations, and regional governments.  

Examples of eligible projects may include but is not limited to:  

• Activating a vacant or underutilized public space through art and activities that can improve access, programming, or other amenities.  
• Programs that reduce isolation and foster intergenerational activities that promote a healthy active lifestyle during the winter months.  
• Experimenting with complete streets, public transit to expand transportation, increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability or access to transit.  
• Enhancing indoor or outdoor public spaces with programming and activities to support social connectivity.  

Six awards of up to $4,000 will be made. An informational webinar will be held on September 10, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:00. The deadline for interested applicants to request grant writing assistance is September 29, 2025.  

For more information view the AARP Vermont Livable Community Program page.  

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