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

USDA Accepting Applications for The FY 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service is currently accepting applications for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. Applications are due December 5, 2025.  

Funding supports improving access to local foods in eligible Child Nutrition Program (CNP) sites through local sourcing and agricultural education programming. Examples of eligible projects includes but is not limited to:  

• Launching a pilot program that creates farm to CNP initiatives 
• Incorporating more unprocessed and value-added, minimally processed, locally or regionally sourced meal components into the CNP meals 
• Readying producers to participate in the CNP food marketplace by providing training on procurement regulations, Good Agricultural Practices, and other food safety-related topics 
• Improving infrastructure to accommodate new local ingredients or local menu items 
• Solving distribution bottlenecks that limit the feasibility of sourcing more locally or regionally produced items  
• Integrating agricultural education with career and technical preparation programs 
• Expanding experiential learning opportunities, such as creating school gardens, developing school-based farmers markets, providing support to agriculture/food clubs, or increasing exposure to local farms  
• Encouraging increased consumption of fruits and vegetables through promotional activities, taste tests, and other activities featuring local products 
• Adopting agricultural education curricula that encourage the sharing of Indigenous traditional knowledge between generations, such as native plant varieties and planting practices 
• Developing and implementing integrated curriculum to reinforce food and nutrition-based learning throughout the school environment or on a local farm 

Eligible applicants include independent school districts, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, county governments, city or town governments, and non-profits.  

Awards will range from $100,000 to $500,000 with an estimated total program funding of $18,000,000.  

To learn more about this opportunity from the USDA’s website, and 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.    

The maximum grant request may not exceed $200,000 and funding may be revised based on availability of appropriation.  

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   

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

DEP Accepting Applications for Coastal Partnership Initiative Until October 31 

The Florida Department of Enviornmental Protection (DEP) is accepting applications for the FY26-27 Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI) on September 1, 2025. Applications are due October 31, 2025.   

Funding supports the protection and management of coastal resources with four specific priority areas; resilient communities, coastal resource stewardship, access to coastal resources, and working waterfronts.   

Eligible applicants include all 35 coastal counties and subsequent municipalities within those counties which are required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive plan. Other prospective applicants like Florida public colleges, universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs, and nonprofits may also apply so long as they have an eligible local government partner. Eligible applicants may only submit one application per funding cycle.   

The award minimum is $10,000. The maximum award for construction projects, habitat restoration, invasive plant removal, or land acquisition is $60,000. The maximum award for planning, design, and coordination is $30,000. A 1:1 match is required.  

Visit the DEP CPI website to learn more about the requirements and how to apply.   

Maine Opportunities

DACF Accepting Applications for 2025 Project Canopy Assistance Grants Until October 30 

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) and the Maine Forest Service (MFS) are accepting applications for 2025 Project Canopy Assistance Grants. The application deadline is October 30, 2025.  

Funding is available for Project Canopy Assistance and Urban and Community Forestry Restoration Grants. Projects may fall into three categories:  

• Project Canopy Assistance Planning and Education: Maximum award of $20,000 for sustainable community forestry management, and efforts to increase awareness of the benefits of trees and forests. 
• Project Canopy Planting and Maintenance: Maximum award of $15,000 for projects that increase the health and livability of communities through proper tree planting and maintenance. 
• Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry: Maximum award of $200,000 for projects that establish and protect urban and community tree canopies. 

Eligible activities include urban wood utilization, urban food forests, local capacity building through workforce development, climate resiliency through tree planting, community tree nursery establishment, and building understanding to care for and manage community trees. Project Canopy Assistance Grants require a 50% match, while the Urban and Community Forestry Restoration grants do not require any match.  

Prospective applicants are encouraged to watch the recorded workshop that reviews grant writing, project development, sustainable community forest management, and grant administration for both programs. Grant office will be held from 9-10 a.m. on October 1st and 15th.  

Learn more about this opportunity on DACF’s website.  

Massachusetts Opportunities

MCC Accepting Applications to Local Cultural Council Program Until October 16

The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) is accepting applications for the Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program. The deadline to apply is October 16, 2025.  

The MCC funds local and regional cultural councils who then fund arts, humanities, and science projects in their communities. The LCC program is a grassroots cultural funding network that awards $7.5 million annually to about 7,300 cultural programs. Organizations must meet the requirements of the LCC program to apply for an LCC grant.  

LCC grants may support operations, ticket subsidies, field trips, artist residencies, public art, fellowships, community events and programs, site specific projects, and other activities.  

Eligible applicants must reside or be located in Massachusetts. LCC’s may have their own eligibility prioritization based on their local guidelines. Eligible applicants include individuals, incorporated non-profits, unincorporated associations, incorporated for-profit organizations, and Tribal, federal, state, and municipal organizations and public entities.  

Mass Cultural Council encourages LCC’s to award no less than $250 to each approved application. Average grants range from $500-$750. If an eligible program may benefit more than one community, applicants may submit an application to more than one LCC.  

Learn more about this program, and review the application process.  

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Launches ECO One Stop for Climate and Environmental Resiliency Grants  

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has launched the Environment & Climate One Stop (ECO One Stop) initiative to simplify the grant application process for climate and environmental resilience projects.  

This new initiative has consolidated multiple EEA grant applications into a single streamlined process aimed at reducing complexity.  

EEA has opened an Expression of Interest (EOI) form for the ECO One Stop grants through October 28, 2025. EOI submission does not qualify as a grant application submission. The EOI is a voluntary process so potential applicants can receive feedback from grant staff on project ideas.   

Important dates to keep in mind for the ECO Expression of Interest process are:  

• Optional Expression of Interest (EOI) Period: Now – October 28th, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. 
• Formal Application Period: Expected early 2026 
• Award notifications: Expected summer 2026 

Interested applicants will have to submit a formal application through the EEA’s Grant Management System once the ECO One Stop application period begins (expected early 2026).   

Grants in the new ECO One Stop include:  

• EEA Dam & Seawall 
• EEA MVP Action 
• CZM Coastal Resilience 
• CZM Coastal Habitat & Water Quality, 
• EEA Cooling Corridors 
• DER Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance and Training 
• EEA Planning Assistance 

Entities eligible to apply for ECO One Stop grants include municipalities, districts, public Boards or Commissions, tribal governments, regional government or planning agencies, certified 501(c)3 nonprofits, and public or private schools or universities.  

All grants participating in the ECO One Stop require a 10% match.  

Review the FAQ for this initiative and register for the introduction webinar to learn more.  

New Hampshire Opportunities

New Hampshire Housing Offering Funding for Lead Paint Remediation 

New Hampshire Housing is offering funding through the Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program for lead paint remediation in homes built before 1978.  The program uses state loans and federal grants to assist homeowners, residential property owners, and childcare facilities in achieving lead-safe certification.  

Funding provides grants and state loans with 0% interest to cover the cost of lead hazard remediation. Funding is intended to improve housing safety, protect tenant health, and support responsible property stewardship.  

Funding can also support:  

• Lead inspection and risk assessment services 
• Full or partial funding for paint stabilization or lead-based paint removal 
• Soil remediation 
• Clearance testing after work completion 

Federal grants provide up to $17,000 per unit, and approximately $3,000 per unit may be available from Healthy Homes supplemental funding to address other health or safety related hazards in the building apart from the possible lead hazard issues. 

State loan assistance provides up to $11,000 per unit for rental property owners, and a maximum of $100,000 to single family owner-occupied homeowners.  

Learn more about this funding’s eligibility requirements.  

New Mexico Opportunities

Applications for Youth Conservation Corps Projects Due October 8 

The New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Commission is accepting applications for the Youth Conservation Corps Grant. Applications are due October 8, 2025.  

Funding supports projects or services that would otherwise not be accomplished with existing funds. Eligible projects include activities that:  

• Protect or conserve terrestrial and aquatic species and the public lands they inhabit 
• Improve use and access to public parks, greenways, historic sites, libraries, museums, and zoos 
• Improve or enhance recreational areas and facilities 
• Provide emergency assistance, disaster relief or recovery 
• Improve disaster preparedness 
• Increase energy efficiency 
• Beautify, improve and restore urban areas 
• Renovate community facilities, including those for the elderly or indigent 

Projects may last no more than 26 weeks. Eligible applicants include tribes, local units of government, non-profits, and units of state and federal agencies operating within New Mexico.  

Funding is issues as a reimbursement, up to $225,000 may be requested per project.  

For more information about the application or about how reimbursement expenses must be broken down, visit the YCC grant information website.  

Rhode Island Opportunities

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.