Resources for
Community resilience
Funding
: Dec 3 – Jan 21, 2026
Announcing the 2026 Climate Solutions Challenge
The Trust for Governors Island has announced the launch of the 2026 Climate Solutions Challenge, the third annual cycle of its Climate Piloting Program designed to support early stage climate innovators. This year’s Challenge focuses on the theme of urban climate adaptation, asking how new solutions can help communities remain safe and healthy, reduce disruptions to essential services, and improve overall quality of life in cities. Selected participants will have the opportunity to pilot their climate products and services on Governors Island in New York Harbor, gaining access to rent-free physical space, technical support, visibility through events and marketing, and connections to investors, funders, and public-sector partners.
The Climate Piloting Program runs for 3–18 months and provides a real-world testing environment across Governors Island’s 172-acre campus, including historic buildings and extensive waterfront areas that host more than one million visitors annually. Since launching in 2023, the program has supported projects in living shorelines, clean water, sustainable buildings, circular economy, energy, air quality, and urban agriculture. Applications for the 2026 Challenge are due January 21, 2026, with informational webinars scheduled for December 16 and January 7 and winners expected to be announced in March 2026.
Funding
: Dec 3 – Jan 21, 2026
Announcing the 2026 Climate Solutions Challenge
The Trust for Governors Island has announced the launch of the 2026 Climate Solutions Challenge, the third annual cycle of its Climate Piloting Program designed to support early stage climate innovators. This year’s Challenge focuses on the theme of urban climate adaptation, asking how new solutions can help communities remain safe and healthy, reduce disruptions to essential services, and improve overall quality of life in cities. Selected participants will have the opportunity to pilot their climate products and services on Governors Island in New York Harbor, gaining access to rent-free physical space, technical support, visibility through events and marketing, and connections to investors, funders, and public-sector partners.
Funding
: Jan 5 – Feb 12, 2026
~50-100K
Building Community Capacity for Resiliency
The NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), housed at the Hudson River Foundation, is offering funding to help local governments and nonprofit organizations strengthen community resilience to recurring extreme weather across the Hudson Raritan Estuary watershed. This Request for Proposals supports projects that advance research, planning, and on the ground infrastructure aimed at reducing climate driven risks such as flooding, storm impacts, and related water quality challenges. A total of $350,000 will be distributed across approximately four to six grants for projects that can be completed by June 30, 2027.
Eligible applicants must be local governments or nonprofits located in or directly serving communities within the Hudson Raritan Estuary region and aligned with HEP’s 2025-2035 Action Agenda. Priority is given to efforts that deliver tangible community benefits. Letters of Inquiry are due February 12, 2026, with selected applicants invited to submit full proposals afterward.
Funding
: Jan 5 – Feb 12, 2026
~50-100K
Building Community Capacity for Resiliency
The NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), housed at the Hudson River Foundation, is offering funding to help local governments and nonprofit organizations strengthen community resilience to recurring extreme weather across the Hudson Raritan Estuary watershed. This Request for Proposals supports projects that advance research, planning, and on the ground infrastructure aimed at reducing climate driven risks such as flooding, storm impacts, and related water quality challenges. A total of $350,000 will be distributed across approximately four to six grants for projects that can be completed by June 30, 2027.
Website
Level of Effort:
GSI Impact Hub
The GSI Impact Hub is an interactive platform that provides tools, research, and data to help communities plan and evaluate green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects. GSI uses natural systems like plants, soil, and stone to manage stormwater on-site reducing flooding, improving water quality, and creating healthier, more resilient neighborhoods. The Hub includes a benefits calculator, educational resources, and guidance to support city planners, advocates, and policymakers in designing projects that maximize environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Explore the GSI Impact Calculator, Detailed Resource Library, and Project Background to better understand how GSI can reduce flooding, improve water quality, and build climate-resilient neighborhoods.
Website
Level of Effort:
GSI Impact Hub
The GSI Impact Hub is an interactive platform that provides tools, research, and data to help communities plan and evaluate green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects. GSI uses natural systems like plants, soil, and stone to manage stormwater on-site reducing flooding, improving water quality, and creating healthier, more resilient neighborhoods. The Hub includes a benefits calculator, educational resources, and guidance to support city planners, advocates, and policymakers in designing projects that maximize environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Explore the GSI Impact Calculator, Detailed Resource Library, and Project Background to better understand how GSI can reduce flooding, improve water quality, and build climate-resilient neighborhoods.