Best Grants for Community Centers in New York

The New York State Global NY Fund will be administered by the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development ("ESD"). It will offer assistance to companies and nonprofit organizations to increase the export of New York’s products and services to foreign markets. Grants for export assistance help New York State’s private sector to identify and develop export markets and increase their sales, thereby creating and retaining jobs. The fund will also support economic development organizations (EDO’s) with expenses related to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attraction activities. FDI projects are activities intended to assist in the attraction of investors located outside of the United States into New York State.

The ASPCA is offering grants to New York State animal welfare organizations to enhance compliance with the new shelter standards effective December 15, 2025. Eligible organizations can utilize these funds for facility upgrades and operational changes necessary for licensing under Article 26-C. Grant funding can encompass various needs, from retrofitting housing to training staff in euthanasia protocols, ensuring improved animal care and welfare across the state.

The Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture provide funding for nonprofit arts and culture organizations in New York, offering grants up to $2 million. These grants focus on projects that enhance accessibility, artistry, cultural development, and sustainability. Smaller no-match grants ranging from $10,000 to $99,000 are available for organizations with operating budgets under $2 million, encouraging strong design and community engagement.

The Transformative Youth Justice Hubs initiative by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services aims to establish four collaborative hubs to enhance youth justice systems. With $4 million funding, each hub will receive approximately $1 million over three years, focusing on community-driven solutions and coordination of resources. This program emphasizes prevention, justice, and youth well-being, ensuring that local communities can effectively address barriers to support youth in achieving their full potential.

• Glenn W. Bailey: STEM Scholars Grant
• Glenn W. Bailey Foundation STEM Sprouts
• Glenn W. Bailey Foundation STEM Stars
• Glenn W. Bailey Foundation Teen Tech Competition

Our Mission

Our Mission is to foster pathways to success in globally competitive STEM careers for students in the United States.

We want to help ensure that the United States remains a global thought leader in all forms of science, math, and technology by promoting projects which encourage, enhance and advance STEM education in this country and to promote projects which provide career opportunities for individuals with STEM education backgrounds.

The Foundation, formed in 2022, seeks to give students and educators more resources for developing and participating in STEM-based, hands-on learning. As a Foundation, we want to support STEM education programs that are making a difference for students regardless of their background or resources. We want every student in America to have enough exposure to STEM from an early age and to transform our attitudes around STEM subjects. We are working towards changing the narrative that promotes STEM subjects as challenging and difficult to the idea that a broad knowledge of STEM education is imperative for socioeconomic and economic freedom as an adult, for all.

Programs & Partners

STEM Encouragement 

It all begins with an idea. We support educational opportunities ranging in age from children through post-doctoral candidates and beyond to promote STEM learning and initiatives that seek to increase awareness and success in STEM careers in the United States.

Environmental & Climate

We will support Innovative Environmental Projects (IEPs) that utilize interdisciplinary research to identify and address critical environmental problems with cutting-edge, innovative solutions that are scalable and replicable.

Scientific Research

Contribute to advancements in biomedical research and innovation to accelerate the progress in medical research and drug treatment development - specifically for high-mortality, under-funded areas of need such as pancreatic and colon cancers.

Urban & Community Entrepreneurship

Advancing entrepreneurship in moderate-income and underserved communities to help business leaders of today and tomorrow prosper. The focus of this program is to help foster economic empowerment by investing in organizations focusing on one individual, one job, and one business at a time.

The NY Source Water Buffer Program, administered by the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, aims to protect public drinking water and enhance water quality. With approximately $5 million available through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, the program funds conservation easements and projects that establish riparian buffers on farmland. These vital buffers improve water quality by filtering runoff, ensuring safe drinking water for future generations.

The New York Climate Resilience Grant Program, funded by The Nature Conservancy, aims to enhance conservation and climate adaptation efforts led by local organizations. With a total funding of $500,000 available, grants of up to $50,000 will support land protection initiatives that mitigate flooding and erosion. The program encourages projects that foster community engagement and prioritize equitable distribution of benefits, particularly for marginalized groups, ensuring resilience in the face of climate change.

The Sarah K. de Coizart Perpetual Charitable Trust, established in 1992, focuses on supporting species conservation and blindness-related services in the Northeast United States. Grants range from $20,000 to $75,000 for conservation projects and $20,000 to $50,000 for blindness initiatives. Priority is given to endangered species and innovative research efforts. Organizations must be IRS-designated public charities. The Trust does not fund individuals or matching gifts, ensuring support goes directly to impactful projects.

The Honda USA Foundation provides funding to support mobility initiatives that empower individuals, particularly those facing disabilities, by removing barriers and expanding opportunities. Focused on sustainable change in underserved communities, the Foundation encourages applications for programs in education, infrastructure, and technology that align with its commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Eligible organizations must be based in the U.S. with appropriate tax-exempt status and can apply for multiple funding opportunities while adhering to specific eligibility criteria.

New York State Office of Cannabis Management

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) was established upon passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in March 2021 to implement a regulatory framework for medical and adult-use cannabis and hemp in the state of New York. This includes, but is not limited to production, licensing, packaging, marketing and the sale of cannabis.

Community Grants Reinvestment Fund

Purpose

The Community Grants Reinvestment Fund (“CGRF”) was established under New York’s Cannabis Law to reinvest in communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies. Decades of criminalization, disproportionate enforcement, and incarceration have left lasting impacts on the social, economic, and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities across the state.

Through the Community Reinvestment Program, the Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) and the Cannabis Advisory Board (“CAB”) aim to promote restorative justice, strengthen community institutions, and invest in organizations that have supported resilience and healing despite the challenges of past drug laws.

For the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year grant cycle, the CAB will award grants to 501(c)(3) communitybased organizations serving youth, defined as individuals aged 0–24, in communities disproportionally affected by prior drug policies. This year’s funding focuses on five (5) program areas:

• Mental Health
• Harm Reduction
• Substance Use Disorder
• Housing
• Workforce Development

The goal is to create equitable, positive, and lasting impacts by investing in community-based programs that offer youth-focused initiatives and wraparound services tailored to local needs in communities disproportionally harmed by prior federal and state drug policies.

Funding 

The applicant pool for the Community Grants Reinvestment Fund will be bifurcated into two tiers: Tier 1 Organizations and Tier 2 Organizations. Tier 1 and Tier 2 Organizations will be determined by the applicant organization’s total expenditures as reflected on their most current IRS tax filing.

• Tier 1: Organizations with total expenditures between $50,000 and $2,499,999.99.
• Tier 2: Organizations with total expenditures equal to or greater than $2,500,000. 

Tier 2 Organizations

For Tier 2 Organizations, award amounts will be $200,000. Tier 2 Applicants must submit a budget request exactly equal to $200,000. 

The Edward & Ellen Roche Relief Foundation Grants support nonprofits that assist disadvantaged women and children in New York City. Established in 1953, the foundation prioritizes funding for programs that promote the well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income women and their families, particularly those that focus on job training and placement for unemployed or underemployed women. This targeted approach aims to empower vulnerable populations and foster economic independence.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant program is to support landowners in restoring their forests or assist with establishing new forests. Healthy forests cover provide vital services to our communities, such as clean water, wildlife habitat, a sustainable economic resource, and is an essential tool in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Today, New York forests face challenges to regeneration including:

• deer browse- deer consuming tree seeds and young trees;
• competing vegetation- which shades out seeds and young trees, limiting germination and restricting tree growth
• extreme weather events- hotter and drier growing seasons paired with more intense  rain events, which weaken trees, making it more difficult for them to defend against insects and disease outbreaks.

Active management of our forests is essential to increase the health and resiliency of New York’s forests and the continued regeneration of young trees into the future.

Through Regenerate NY, landowners can apply for financial assistance for projects on their land that support the establishment and renewal of healthy forests. New this year, grants will follow a new system called a Performance Based Payment. This new payment structure will allow landowners to receive partial advance payments to carry out planned work, by submitting workplans and budgets at the beginning of the planning process. Funds will be released each year of the project following the workplan and annual reports.

More information for applicants can be found in the Request for Applications (RFA).

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, golf courses, boat launches, and campgrounds across more than 360,000 acres and welcomes more than 88 million people annually.

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.

Parks and Trails Partnership Program

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the New York State (NYS) Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with support from Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, are pleased to announce the twelfth round of competitive grants through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program. The program is administered by PTNY, in partnership with OPRHP and DEC.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grant program is a $2.65 million capacity-building matching grants program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program is designed to:

• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, accessibility, maintenance and promotion of New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, diversity, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands. 

Eligible applicants must be registered nonprofits who have a formal memorandum or agreement with OPRHP or DEC.

Award Categories

There are four types of capacity-building grants available to eligible organizations through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program: Stewardship and Public Access Capacity Grants; Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants; Professional Development Grants; and Step-Up Grants.

Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants

Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants strengthen the capacity and expertise of individual organizations that support New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands, or a partnership involving more than one such organization, in order to aid them in fulfilling their mission and to improve their reach, effectiveness, and impact.

A 10 percent match of the total project budget is required, up to 50 percent of which may be in-kind. Fifty percent of award is disbursed at contract signing; remainder disbursed after submission of satisfactory six-month progress report.

The One Hive Foundation Grant focuses on promoting pollinator health and ecologically responsible agriculture through funding research and nonprofit initiatives. Launched in 2022, the grant supports diverse projects aimed at enhancing environmental data, public education, and scientific collaboration. Targeting verified 501c3 organizations, the foundation emphasizes ecological practices and community engagement in Vermont and beyond, with grants of up to $75,000 available to eligible applicants.

The Workforce Development Capital Grant Program provides up to $35 million in funding to enhance workforce training capabilities in New York. This initiative supports training providers aiming to modernize facilities and purchase necessary equipment to deliver industry-recognized credentials. With awards ranging from $100,000 to $3 million, the program focuses on responsiveness to industry needs, increasing workforce participation, and improving training for underserved populations.

The Connecting Joy Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to enhance the hospital experience for children battling illness through engaging gaming programs. This initiative supports children's hospitals and nonprofits by funding equipment, staffing, and connectivity, ensuring children can enjoy gaming at their bedside. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the program focuses on offering joy and distraction, helping young patients cope with their hospital stays while facilitating connections with peers.

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) Community Grants support local organizations and government agencies in New York to implement pollution prevention practices. By funding projects that promote sustainability and environmental awareness, NYSP2I aims to enhance community health and economic vitality. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and local governments focused on environmental issues, fostering collaborations that can lead to broader community impacts and replicable sustainable practices.

The Historic Preservation Grant Program, part of the Environmental Protection Fund, supports projects enhancing parks and historic sites in New York. This matching grant program aims to acquire, develop, and improve properties listed on state or national registers, ensuring long-term public benefits through preservation covenants and conservation easements. Applicants, including municipalities and nonprofits, are evaluated on criteria such as project significance, public awareness, and the ability to complete the project effectively, fostering stewardship of historic resources.

The Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving: Thriving Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that promote sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience across a 22-state network. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, the program aims to foster economic development and ensure equal access to basic necessities. Eligible organizations include tax-exempt nonprofits, government entities, and public schools, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in their community-focused efforts.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

The Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant supports dairy farmers in enhancing their operations for sustainable success. This funding aids in modernizing outdated systems and implementing innovative solutions that improve farm viability, milk quality, and worker conditions while addressing climate impacts. Eligible applicants include dairy farmers, cooperatives, and service providers across Northeast states. Awards range from $15,000 to $100,000, requiring a 25% match contribution.

The NYC Opera Grants: Support for Small-Budget Organizations, launched by OPERA America, offers crucial operating support to innovative opera organizations in New York City with budgets under $250,000. Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000 annually, aiming to enhance audience engagement and artistic production. This initiative prioritizes organizations led by individuals from diverse backgrounds and encourages proposals that celebrate the city's cultural richness. The next grant round is anticipated in 2025.

The National Sea Grant Law Center is inviting proposals for the Coastal Resilience Program to research laws and policies addressing coastal resilience challenges such as sea level rise and flooding. With a funding cap of $150,000 over two years, this initiative aims to assess the effectiveness of existing policies and promote informed decision-making in coastal management. Up to two projects will be selected for funding, supporting innovative solutions to enhance community resilience against environmental threats.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.

Clean Energy Communities Technical Support Contractor: Cohort Track

Description

NYSERDA seeks a Contractor or Contractor team (referenced collectively as “Contractor”) that will support the Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Cohort Track, a proposed offering within the CEC program focused on local government peer learning cohorts. The CEC Cohort Track collectively engages small groups of local government representatives to delve into a transformative decarbonization topic. Participants will learn and troubleshoot together as they develop individual plans for implementing that decarbonization topic within their communities.

The Contractor will assist NYSERDA in designing and implementing strategies for the CEC Cohort Track. Key responsibilities include:

• Development and delivery of training curriculum and peer learning sessions
• Creation and implementation of mechanisms to incorporate ongoing participant feedback into cohort structure
• Development of case studies and assistance in promoting findings to non-participating local governments
• Assistance in program participants’ planning and implementation

NYSERDA anticipates facilitating at least five cohorts of approximately 10-15 program participants each, with at least one cohort starting each year between 2026 and 2029. Each cohort is anticipated to engage for a duration of 24 months. Cohort topics are intended to have broad impact, whether by transforming municipal operations or procedures, ensuring ongoing emissions reductions activities, promoting community-scale decarbonization, or otherwise setting in motion systematic decarbonization of governmental and/or private building stock.

The New York State Office of Mental Health is offering a grant for the Aging in Place Pilot, which aims to develop five statewide pilot programs for adults aged 55 and older who require enhanced support to live independently. With a total funding of up to $2 million, the initiative focuses on individuals with unmet long-term care needs, enabling them to reside in supportive housing and prevent institutionalization.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is offering funding through the Companion Animal Capital Projects Fund to eligible not-for-profit shelters and humane societies. This grant supports capital projects that enhance the health and care of sheltered dogs and cats, such as construction, renovation, or expansion of facilities. Organizations can apply for funding for specific components of larger projects, ensuring better containment and welfare of animals.

The NY State Farm-to-School Grant Program promotes the use of locally produced foods in K-12 school cafeterias, enhancing meal quality and fostering relationships between schools and New York farmers. Established in 2015, the program aims to increase the purchase of New York specialty crops while addressing challenges such as seasonality and procurement complexities. Its secondary goals include improving agricultural education and exposing students to local culinary experiences, ultimately benefiting school-age children across the state.