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 Accepting Applications for Recreational Trails Grant Until December 18  

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is currently accepting applications for the Recreational Trails Grant. The deadline to apply is December 18, 2025. 

Funding supports the planning, design, and construction of new trails, along with the maintenance of existing trails, and acquisition of land for trails. Funding supports these activities for both motorized and non-motorized trails. Funding may also support increasing accessibility to trails, the purchase or lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment, and the operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection of recreational trails.  

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, municipalities, state governments, and tribal governments. Award amounts vary depending on availability of state funding. Requests should be less than $1,000,000. Awards may cover up to 80% of project costs, and require a 20% match.  

An informational webinar will be held on October 16, 2025. Visit DEEP’s website to learn more.  

Federal Opportunities

DOT Accepting Applications for Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Until January 7

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently accepting applications for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant. Applications are due January 7, 2026.  

Funding supports capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service,  

Eligible projects include:  

• Replacement, rehabilitation, or repair of infrastructure, equipment, or a facility for intercity passenger rail to bring assets into state of good repair 
• Projects that improve passenger rail performance like speed, increased frequency, reliability, or electrification 
• Projects that expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service 

Eligible applicants include states, an intercity compact, public agency or chartered authority, political subdivisions of a state, Amtrak, federally recognized Indian Tribes, or any combination of these entities.  

The current award ceiling is around $5,000,000,000. Learn more about this opportunity on DOT’s website, and view the opportunity on Grants.gov.  

DOJ Accepting Applications for FY25 Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Program Until October 27

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently accepting applications for the FY25 Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program. Applications are due October 27, 2025.  

Funding supports programming designed to prevent and reduce school violence by implementing training, developing school threat assessment teams and/or intervention teams to identify violence risks, introducing technologies like anonymous reporting tools, or applying other school safety strategies that assist in preventing violence. The funding objective is to equip K–12 students, teachers, and staff with tools to recognize, respond to, and prevent acts of violence. 

Eligible applicants include, county governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, nonprofits, city or town governments, special district governments, state governments, public and private institutions of higher education, and independent school districts.  

The total estimated program funding is $ 2,000,000. View this opportunity on Grants.gov.  

DOJ Accepting Applications for the Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative Until October 27

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently accepting applications for the Office of Justice Programs Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative. Applications are due October 27, 2025.  

Funding supports programming that aim to reduce violent crime and improve police-community relations through a range of cross-sector enforcement, prevention, and intervention strategies that leverage active collaboration with communities through sustained partnerships and engagement. 

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

The award ceiling is $2,000,000. Learn more about this opportunity on Grants.gov.  

DOJ Accepting Applications for the FY 25 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program Until October 27 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently accepting applications for the FY 25 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies. Applications are due October 27, 2025.  

Funding supports publicly funded law enforcement and correctional agencies in establishing or expanding body-worn camera (BWC) programs. Properly implemented BWC programs can strengthen the evidentiary foundation for criminal prosecutions, provide reliable documentation of officer-citizen encounters, and deter assaults on officers.   

Eligible applicants include, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, county governments, state governments, city or town governments, independent school districts, public and state higher education institutions, and special district governments.  

The award ceiling is $2,000,000. Learn more about this opportunity on Grants.gov.  

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

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.   

MOOR Accepting Applications for Inclusive and Accessible Outdoor Recreation Event Support Grant Until October 24 

Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation is currently accepting applications for the Outdoor Recreation Inclusive and Accessible Events Grants Program. Applications are due by October 24, 2025.  

Funding supports up to $10,000 to organizations to facilitate new inclusive and/or accessible outdoor recreation events or boost existing outdoor recreation events with new or expanded inclusive and/or accessible components. 

Eligible applicants include 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations, municipalities, state agencies, and tribal governments. Partnerships between eligible grantees and private organizations are welcome.    

Learn more about this opportunity on the program website, or view the opportunity on COMMBUYS.  

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   

The 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.   

Vermont Opportunities

The Municipal Planning Grant Program Accepting Applications Until November 3 

The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development is currently accepting applications for the Municipal Planning Grant Program. The Application deadline is November 3, 2025.   

Funding supports planning and revitalization for local municipalities in Vermont to support statewide planning goals.   

The FY 26 application timeline is as follows:   

• August 2025: program announcement   
• September 1, 2025: online application opens   
• November 3, 2025: application deadline  
• November-December 2025: award announcements  
• December 1, 2025: grant term begins   
• December 31, 2027: grant term ends  
• January 31, 2028: grant closeout due 

Click here for more information and guidelines. 

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