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

CT Community Investment Fund Round 8 Will Open for Applications on October 27  

The Community Investment Fund (CIF) will be accepting applications for Round 8 of funding starting October 27, 2025. The deadline to apply is December 5, 2025.  

The CIF is designed to foster economic development in historically underserved communities. Funding supports the advancement of fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including those who belong to underserved and marginalized communities.  

Funding supports two program streams: 

• Capital improvement programs, such as brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, clean energy development, and home or public facility rehabilitation 
• Planning for capital projects including activities such as community engagement processes, feasibility studies, development of project plan and construction budget 

Priority will be given to projects that implement local hiring preferences, leverage non-state funds, include a letter of support from a member of the General Assembly, or to projects that have a labor agreement or employ ex-offenders or individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.  

Eligible applicants include Distressed Municipalities, Public Investment Communities, Alliance Districts, Community Development Corporations, and non-profits.  

A total of $875 million is available in total funding. Two rounds of funding will be administered per fiscal year.  

Learn more about this program at the Community Investment Fund 2030 website.  

DEEP Extended Deadline for Urban Green and Community Gardens Application Period to December 17 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has extended the application deadline for the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant (UGCG) Program. Applications will now be accepted through December 17, 2025.   

Funding provides assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and environmental education. Program activities may include the development of a community garden or reclaiming or enhancing existing open space for public use.   

Program eligibility requirements include but are not limited to:   

• Applicants must have match funds available to match 50% of total anticipated cost  
• Projects must create, enhance, or restore public urban community garden or green space  
• Applicants must demonstrate public access of the project  

Eligible applicants include distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profits, and environmental justice communities. Additional program information can be found on the UGCG program website. 

Federal Opportunities

Warning Direct from Grants.gov   

“There has been a lapse in appropriated federal funds as of October 1, 2025. Grants.gov will still be available, but service may be delayed with reduced Federal support staff presence. For those programs affected by the funding lapse, the Grants.gov system will accept and store applications until such time as the responsible awarding agency has the authority and funding to return to normal business operations.” 

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.    

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.    

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.   

Florida Opportunities

FDACS Accepting Applications for Agricultural Regional Projects Program Until November 7 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is currently accepting applications for the Agricultural Regional Projects Program. The deadline to apply is November 7, 2025.  

Funding supports regional agricultural water quality and water quantity improvement projects. The funding objective is to reduce nutrient loading in priority watersheds and to integrate infrastructure based solutions with best management practice implementation strategies. The intention is to address nonpoint source pollution from agricultural activities and contribute to broader water quality goals for reducing nutrient loads in priority watersheds. 

The two funding categories are:  

• Water Treatment and Infrastructure Projects 
• Enhanced BMP Implementation Projects 

Eligible applicants include local governmental entities, water management districts, soil and water conservation districts, institutions of higher education, conservationgroups, private landowners, and individuals.  

A total of $25 million is available in project funding. Approximately $5 million is required to be spent in the Lake Okeechobe basins.  

Learn more about this opportunity on the FDACS website.  

FDACS Accepting Applications for Urban and Community Forestry Until November 17  

The Florida Forest Service is currently accepting applications for the Urban and Community Forestry Program. The application deadline is November 17, 2025.  

Funding is supplied by the Inflation Reduction Act Grant program and supports better urban forest management and resources necessary for the retention and expansion of community tree canopy.  

Approximately $1,795,000 is expected in available funding. Learn more about this opportunity at FDACS’ website.  

DEP Hosting Application Webinar for Land and Water Conservation Fund on October 29 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host an application webinar for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) on October 29, 2025. The application submission period will be November 15 through December 15, 2025.  

Funding supports the acquisition or development of land for public outdoor recreational use. Funding may be used for the development of outdoor recreational areas and facilities like beaches, picnic areas, trails, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts and playgrounds, along with associated support facilities such as lighting, parking, restrooms and landscaping. Funding may also be used for the acquisition of land for outdoor recreational purposes.  

Eligible applicants includes all local government entities with a legal responsibility for the provision of outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the use and benefit of the public.  

This fund is a competitive reimbursement program. The maximum award for acquisition and development projects is $1.5 million. A 50% / 50% match is required.  

Learn more about the webinar and program requirements on DEP’s website.  

Deadline for Florida Coastal Management Program Coastal Partnership Initiative Approaching  

The deadline for the Florida Coastal Management Program Coastal Partnership Initiative Grant Opportunity is approaching. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will accept applications until October 31, 2025.  

Funding supports coastal communities plan and implement projects that promote sustainable use of coastal resources, improve public access to the coast, restore natural habitats, and enhance community resilience to coastal hazards. The program encourages innovative and collaborative projects that contribute to the long-term health of Florida’s coastal ecosystems and economies. 

Eligible applicants include coastal local governments, National Estuary Programs, regional planning councils, non-profits, and Florida public universities and colleges if a local government is a signatory partner.  

Awards ranges vary depending on the type of project. A 1:1 non-federal match is required. Learn more on DEP’s website.  

Massachusetts Opportunities  

MCC Accepting Applications for Cultural Facilities Fund Until December 11   

The Massachusetts Cultural Council is currently accepting applications for the Cultural Facilities Fund. The deadline to submit an application is December 11, 2025.   

Funding supports the acquisition, design, repair, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities. The Cultural Facilities Fund is comprised of three separate grant programs.   

• Capital Grants: For the acquisition, design, construction, repair, renovation, rehabilitation or other capital improvements or deferred maintenance of a cultural facility.   

• • (i.e. acquisition of cultural facility or site, new construction, additions to existing structure, renovations or repairs to an existing structure, fixed or integrated equipment).   

• Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants (FTA): For the overall planning and feasibility for a proposed eligible project.   

• • (i.e. Architectual and engineering plans, designs, or studies, energy efficiency or green build assessments, ADA accessibility assessments, capital campaign feasibility studies, business and operations planning for opening or expansion).  

• Systems Replacement Plan Grants (SRP): A 20-year capital needs assessment conducted by a preselected contractor hired by the Cultural Facilities Fund to assess the facility’s structure and its mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life-safety systems. Organizations must own the facility to be eligible.  

Eligible applicants include nonprofit cultural organizations primarily concerned with the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences. Eligible facilities must be owned, leased, or used by the nonprofit cultural organization and accessible to the public. A municipal owned cultural facility must be at least 50,000 square feet and 50% dedicated to cultural purposes, or the building structure can be at least 125 years old and of any size.   

Awards will range depending on the type of grant. Capital Grants have a ceiling of $200,000; Feasibility and Technical Assistance Grants have a ceiling of $35,000; and Systems Replacement Plan Grants awards will range from $8,000 to $14,000. All Cultural Facility Fund Grants require a 1:1 Match.   

Learn more on the MCC’s website.   

New Mexico Opportunities

NMED Accepting Applications for Fourth Round of Volkswagen Settlement Funding Until January 14, 2026 

The New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) is currently accepting applications for the Fourth Round of funding from the Volkswagen Settlement. The application deadline is January 15, 2026.  

Funding supports projects that reduce diesel emissions. The goal of funding is to offset the excess emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOX) emitted by affected Volkswagen light-duty vehicles registered within New Mexico.  

A total of $2.6 million is available in project funding. Learn more from NMED’s website.  

Vermont Opportunities

VAAFM to Open Applications for Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program in November  

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) Water Quality Division will begin accepting applications for the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program in November 2025.  

Funding supports the improvement of water quality across the state through education and outreach, technical assistance, organizational capacity development, and conservation practice surveys.  

Eligible projects must address one of the following priority outcomes:  

• Regulatory compliance of Vermont farms with state and federal water quality regulations 
• Non-point-source pollution reduction on Vermont farms 
• Practices that improve climate resiliency and mitigation and/or soil health on Vermont farms 
• Economic and environmental viability of Vermont farms 

Eligible applicants include Vermont businesses such as farm operations or agricultural associations, local government entities, public or private schools or other educational institutions, and non-profit organizations working with Vermont farms. State and federal agencies can collaborate with these groups but cannot be the primary applicant. 

Learn more about this program and see past awards on VAAFM’s website.  

VAAFM to Open Applications for Fairs and Field Days Grants Program October 30 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) to begin accepting applications for the Fairs and Field Days Grant Program starting October 30, 2025. The application deadline is December 14, 2025.  

Funding supports two funding streams. Competitive Capital Grants are available to assist with the improvement of community facilities providing cultural activities to the public. The Stipend Fund is available to support operating costs, plant improvements, and premiums for agricultural fairs or field day events. 

Capital grants will be competitively awarded to agricultural fairs and field days operating a minimum of three consecutive, eight-hour days per year. 

For FY26, the total funding available is $410,000 with a total of $300,000 available in Capital Grants and $110,000 in Stipends. The maximum award for Capital Grants is $37,000, and the award for Stipends is decided by the state’s Stipend Distribution Fund Formula. A match of 15% or more is required.  

Learn more on VAAFM’s website.  

VTrans, ACCD and ANR Accepting Applications for Better Connections Program Until October 31 

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) are currently accepting applications for the Better Connections program. Applications are due October 31, 2025.  

Funding supports projects that align state and local investments to increase transportation options, build resilience, and strengthen economic vitality in Vermont’s Community Centers through planning grants. Funding supports municipalities to engage in master planning to evaluate multi-modal transportation options, future land use, and water quality improvements. The program provides technical assistance through the duration of the grant to local communities to help achieve their goals and plan for the future. 

Eligible projects include improved multimodal connectivity, active transportation, rehabilitation of buildings, redevelopment of sites, housing, land use planning, and stormwater management.  

Award availability is contingent on specific eligibility requirements. Learn more on the Better Connections Program Page.  

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