Community Impact Grants
Funds NY community and Tribal organizations for projects with research that address local environmental harms, requiring a new research component to expand community knowledge and support environmental justice.
Funder: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Due Dates: July 1, 2026: Full application due | June 17, 2026: Q&A period ends
Funding Amounts: ~$7,000,000 total available; awards range from $50,000 (min) to $200,000 (max) per project; up to 36-month project period.
Summary: Supports New York-based community and Tribal organizations in addressing environmental harms and risks through projects with a research and community engagement component.
Key Information: Applicants must register and (if NFP) prequalify in NYS SFS Grants Management before applying; projects must serve PEJA/DAC communities.
Description
The Community Impact Grants program, administered by the Office of Environmental Justice at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), provides competitive funding for community-based organizations (CBOs) and Tribal Organizations in New York State. The program targets projects that address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks, with the aim of empowering affected communities to develop and implement solutions, build consensus, set local priorities, and increase public outreach and education. All funded projects must include a new research component to expand community knowledge about local environmental challenges.
Projects may cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: air and water quality, community gardens, urban agriculture, organic waste/composting, habitat restoration, green infrastructure, and capacity building. The grant is designed to support small, locally focused organizations and increase their capacity to address environmental justice concerns.
