Resources for

Environmental justice

Funding

: Sep 26 – Jan 22, 2024

$250K-$3M

Environmental Education Centers and Disadvantaged Communities Grant

$7 million is available in competitive grant funding in New York for community-based, not-for-profit, and tribal organizations to support the construction, or renovation of existing facilities, to create community environmental education centers, which will offer classes and programs on environmental awareness. The centers must be located within or serve a disadvantaged community Disadvantaged Communities Criteria – New York’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act or an environmental justice community Maps & Geospatial Information System (GIS) Tools For Environmental Justice and will help inspire exploration, discovery, and learning about the environment. Funding for this grant opportunity is provided from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

New York State
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Community Engagement
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Oct 15 – Dec 13, 2024

min $250,000 (no max)

Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030 – Round 6

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Planning
Community Engagement

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Rebuild by Design Atlas of Accountability

Interactive map with county-level disaster declaration information and Congressional Districts for 2011-2023. Also includes a fact sheet and tables.

New York State
Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Plan

Level of Effort:

Rebuild by Design Atlas of Disaster: New York

National Report with State-based County-level data detailing the experiences of communities as a result of climate change. State reports include eight maps that show where major disasters have occurred, where post-disaster support has been given, where the most socially vulnerable populations reside, and the energy reliability by utility area. It also provides county-level disaster data within State Assembly, Senate, and Congressional district boundaries.

New York State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Funding

: Jul 1 – Aug 30, 2024

$250K - $500K

Environmental Justice Data Fund

The second round of grantmaking for the Environmental Justice Data Fund (EJDF) will be supported by a $4 million fund. The EJDF aims to help frontline communities historically underserved and disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental injustice in the United States use data to address environmental hazards, with special attention to matters regarding air and water quality. The EJDF will support eligible organizations to unlock resources, increase their access to federal infrastructure funding, and advocate for new policies that empower communities to address past environmental harm and pave the way to a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Water Quality
Community Engagement

Funding

: Jul 18 – Sep 30, 2024

$2,000 - $50,000

Climate & Equity Grants 2024

In collaboration with CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) requests grant proposals for projects that increase the capacity of vulnerable communities to mitigate, plan for, and respond to climate change impacts. This funding supports the recommendations of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3).

Connecticut State
Environmental Justice
Planning
Community Engagement

Funding

: Jul 12 – Sep 27, 2024

max $200,000 or max $4M

Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development – Round 20

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices under Round 20:

  1. Municipal Grant Program – Remediation & Limited-Assessment (up to $4M)
  2. Municipal Grant Program – Assessment-Only (up to $200K)
  3. Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program (up to $4M)

The total funding amount available for all Round 20 notices is $25 million.

Connecticut State
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice

Funding

: Dec 10, 2024

The New York Community Trust: Westchester Ongoing Competitive Grants

The New York Community Trust, which brings together the New York Community Trust, The Long Island Community Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation offers competitive grants to nonprofits to support projects in a number of areas across New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond. For work on Westchester, proposals are accepted from nonprofits during the specified timeframes.

New York State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Dec 10, 2024

The New York Community Trust: Long Island Ongoing Competitive Grants

The New York Community Trust, which brings together the New York Community Trust, The Long Island Community Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation offers competitive grants to nonprofits to support projects in a number of areas across New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond. For work on Long Island, proposals are accepted from nonprofits during the specified timeframes.

New York State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

$75,000 - $350,000

Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker Program

EPA has selected Fordham University to serve as pass-through entity for the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grants for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Thriving Communities subgrants will be distributed to support capacity building in communities affected by environmental or public health issues to eligible applicants. The program aims to reduce the burden of the federal grants application process and distribute federal funds to potential applicants working to address environmental justice issues. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until March 31, 2025.

New York State
Flooding
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Community Engagement
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Website

Level of Effort:

New York State Climate Impacts Assessment: Understanding and Preparing for Our Changing Climate

The New York State Climate Impacts Assessment explores current and future climate change impacts to New York State communities, ecosystems, and economy. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) assembled more than 250 New York–based, national, and Indigenous climate science experts and representatives from diverse communities and industries across the state to contribute to this assessment. The findings are intended to help residents, businesses, and decision-makers across the state plan and prepare for climate change impacts.

New York State
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms

Funding

: Dec 10, 2024

$500 - $1,000

Seed Grants Program

Awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The Grassroots Fund utilizes participatory grantmaking to move resources to New England grassroots groups working at the intersections of Environmental Justice. The program is geared toward groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Feb 28 – May 28, 2024

$200,000 - $3,000,000

Clean Ports Program: Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides EPA with $3 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure as well as climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports. This new funding program will build on EPA’s Ports Initiative that helps our nation’s ports, a critical part of our infrastructure and supply chain, address public health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities. EPA has announced two separate Notices of Funding Opportunities to disburse the allocated $3 billion – the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition AND the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Planning
Community Engagement

Funding

: Nov 7 – Apr 30, 2024

Round 7 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program was established in 2014 and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ORLP is a nationally competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant program. It was created to aid disadvantaged, urban communities that lack access to close-by outdoor recreation. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of, public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

Projects may include any or all manner of outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, camping, unstructured play, picnicking, cycling, field and court sports, fishing, bird watching, swimming pools, paddling, and skating, as well as for outdoor recreation facilities and some supporting facilities and infrastructure like restrooms/bathhouses, or parking areas, when part of an overall recreation project.

New York State
Connecticut State
Land Use
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Recreation & Access
Community Engagement

Funding

: Feb 27 – Apr 15, 2024

$1,000-$5,000

Connecticut Botanical Society Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program provides funding for land conservation projects that provide protection of rare or uncommon native plant species or natural communities, or areas of high native diversity. We will also consider habitat improvement projects, protection of open space in low-income and urban communities, and assistance with fund-raising for projects that meet the above criteria.

Connecticut State
Habitat
Land Use

Funding

: Feb 12 – Mar 8, 2024

No pre-defined funding range

Working Lands Climate Corps

The Working Lands Climate Corps will provide technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people, helping them deliver economic benefits through climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers across the country, now and in the future. The Working Lands Climate Corps is part of the American Climate Corps, a workforce training and service initiative that is working to ensure more young people have access to the skills-based training needed for good paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy.

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Justice
Community Engagement

Funding

: Nov 21 – Nov 21, 2024

$10-20M (Track 1), $1-3M (Track 2)

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants

EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.

New York State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Connecticut Environmental Justice Screening Tool

Connecticut EJ Screening Tool is an interactive resource that combines both community and data-driven approach that incorporates environmental burdens and demographic indicators. This map allows users to explore the environmental health and the conditions (socioeconomic and or other distinguishing community characteristics) within a specific region, town, city, and or entire state.

The data included in this map finalize into a score that allows users to understand the relationship between the community and environmental justice. Through the presentation of this information, citizens and policymakers alike can understand what communities are experiencing and form policies that reshape these matters.

Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

EPA Equitable Resilience Builder (ERB)

The Equitable Resilience Builder (ERB) is an application that supports communities in resilience planning with a focus on equity. It engages users in a guided process to inclusively assess local hazards, equity, and the resilience of built, natural, and social environment systems. Results can be used to collaboratively prioritize actions to build community resilience in an equitable way.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Justice
Planning
Community Engagement

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Potential Environmental Justice Area (PEJA) Communities

Data shows polygon locations of Potential Environmental Justice Areas (PEJA). PEJA’s have been identified based on data from the 2014-2018 5-year American Community Survey (ACS), conducted by the US Census Bureau. Environmental justice efforts focus on improving the environment in communities, specifically minority and low-income communities, and addressing disproportionate adverse environmental impacts that may exist in those communities. The designated areas are considered for additional outreach within the permitting process, for grant eligibility, and for targeted enforcement of Environmental Conservation Law violations.

New York State
Environmental Justice

Funding

: Oct 30 – Jan 31, 2024

$10,000-$500,000

Community Forest Management Plan Implementation and Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities

The NYS DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program works with communities to manage their community forests and develop self-sustaining local community forestry programs. $12.9 million is available through Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Grants for urban forestry work in disadvantaged communities across New York State for the following two categories: 1) Community Forest Management Plan Implementation in Disadvantaged Communities ($10 million) and 2) Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities ($2.9 million)

New York State
Habitat
Environmental Justice

Funding

: Jan 6 – Aug 5, 2024

Average award is $20,000

The Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund (LIUUF)

For more than 30 years, our Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund (LIUUF), a field-of-interest advised fund at The New York Community Trust, has worked to address education and racial equity, environmental justice, and immigrant rights. The fund also focuses on LGBTQ+ advocacy, women’s rights, leadership development, legal and legislative advocacy, and community organizing. The fund was established by the Veatch Program at Shelter Rock.

LIUUF grantmaking reflects Unitarian Universalist principles and the Fund’s overarching mission is to build and energize a community of progressive social change activists, and to support prophetic voices in vulnerable communities who speak out against injustices—often in unsafe environments and at personal risk and sacrifice.

Guided by an advisory committee that represents Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout Long Island, the LIUUF has awarded millions of dollars to nonprofits in Nassau and Suffolk counties to advance grassroots progressive social change.

New York State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Community Engagement

Funding

: Dec 10, 2024

The New York Community Trust: New York City Ongoing Competitive Grants

The New York Community Trust, which brings together the New York Community Trust, The Long Island Community Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation offers competitive grants to nonprofits to support projects in a number of areas across New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond. For work in New York City, proposals are accepted from nonprofits anytime through the ongoing competitive grants proposal process.

New York State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: May 2 – Oct 4, 2023

NYS DEC Municipal Funding for Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives

The goal of this funding program is to assist municipalities in starting or expanding municipal food scraps recycling programs. Approximately $2.75 million is available. To ensure equitable access and development of food scraps recycling opportunities for all New Yorkers, this year’s opportunity will prioritize the first half of available funds for eligible projects serving Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged communities.

New York State
Waste Management

Funding

: May 14 – Jul 31, 2024

$50K-$2M for implementation grants, $10K-200K for certification grants

NYS Climate Smart Communities

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program was established in 2016 to provide 50/50 matching grants to cities, towns, villages, and counties of the State of New York for eligible climate change mitigation, adaptation, and planning and assessment projects. Funds are available for two broad project categories – implementation and certification. The first project category supports implementation projects related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation. The second supports planning and assessment projects aligned with NYS Climate Smart Communities certification actions.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: May 14 – Jul 31, 2024

$100-500K

Brownfield Opportunity Area Program

Through the New York State Department of State Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program, known and suspected brownfields are transformed from liabilities to community assets that generate businesses, jobs and revenues for local economies and provide new housing and public amenities. Four types of activities are eligible for BOA funding: 1) County-wide Pre-Planning: Brownfield Identification and Preliminary Analysis, 2) Planning: Development of a BOA Plan, 3) Predevelopment within a State-Designated BOA, 4) Phase II Environmental Site Assessments within a State-Designated BOA.

New York State
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Planning
Community Engagement

Funding

: Dec 10 – Jul 28, 2023

Up to $3M

Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP)

The Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) supports projects across New York State that utilize unique EPA-designated green stormwater infrastructure design and create cutting-edge green technologies. Competitive grants are awarded annually to projects that improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change through the implementation of one or more of the following green practices: Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Environmental Innovation.

New York State
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Dec 10 – Aug 7, 2024

$50,000-$100,000

NYSDEC Community Impact Grant Program

$7.34 million is available for community-based organizations for projects that address exposure of communities to multiple environmental harms and risks. Eligible applicants are not-for-profit (NFP) community-based organizations having 501(c)(3) status or a community-based organization may partner with a NFP that will serve as their fiscal sponsor. Eligible projects must address a community’s exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks and include a new research component that will be used to expand the knowledge of the affected community.

New York State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Community Engagement

Funding

: Apr 24 – Jul 26, 2023

$100,000-$500,000

Disadvantaged Community Air Quality Monitoring Opportunity

$2.1 million was made available through NYSDEC for community-based not-for-profit organizations working in disadvantaged communities to support community-driven projects to improve air quality and help advance the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The grants will advance local efforts to obtain air quality data tailored to issues identified by community residents.

New York State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice

Funding

: Jan 1 – Apr 15, 2023

~$1,500

EPOC 2022 Environmental Grant Program

The EPOC Grant Program provides non-profit and not-for-profit environmental advocacy groups, community based groups and environmental education organizations funding for local projects that benefit the environment.

Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Aquatic Resources
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Jul 8 – Nov 1, 2024

$40,000

Healthy Communities Grant Program for New England

The Healthy Communities Grant Program is EPA New England’s main competitive grant program to work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks to protect and improve human health and the quality of life. he Healthy Communities Grant Program will achieve this through identifying and funding projects that:
– Target resources to benefit communities at risk.
– Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks.
– Increase collaboration through partnerships and community-based projects.
– Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems.
– Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Community Engagement
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Nov 14 – Feb 2, 2024

up to $10,000

The Green Fund

The Green Fund seeks innovative proposals from committed organizations and individuals for activities that advance our mission which is to promote environmental quality, public health and equity in our community by providing grants and other incentives that contribute to a more environmentally sustainable future and reduce air, water and land pollution.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Planning
Recreation & Access
Wetlands

Funding

: Jul 26 – Sep 22, 2023

up to $250,000

DEEP CERCLA 128(a) Brownfield Grant Program – Round 1

DEEP was awarded this funding from the EPA under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to administer to brownfield sites in Connecticut to perform environmental assessment and cleanup activities.

Connecticut State
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Recreation & Access

Funding

: Jul 26 – Sep 22, 2023

$200,000-$4M

Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development – Round 18

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced funding availability under Round 18. The purpose of the Municipal Grant Program as per C.G.S Section 32-763, is to provide grants for brownfield remediation and redevelopment. OBRD has also simultaneously announced the availability of funding under the Targeted Brownfield Development Loan and the Assessment-only Grant Program.

Connecticut State
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice

Funding

: Aug 22 – Dec 2, 2024

Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program

The Department’s Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban open spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education.

Connecticut State
Land Use
Environmental Justice
Recreation & Access
Community Engagement

$2,500-$65,000

Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant

The Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program offers funding to support projects that will help municipalities and nonprofit organizations collect baseline data that can be used to inform future management decisions. 

Connecticut State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Justice
Planning
Recreation & Access
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Oct 16 – Dec 15, 2023

min $250,000 (no max)

Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030 – Round 4

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across the state. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Planning

Funding

: Dec 10 – Feb 27, 2024

up to $2,000

The Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals Grant Program

The Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals Grant Program provides funding for local projects in Connecticut that benefit the environment. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded. Any application meeting the grant guidelines that is not successful in one cycle may reapply during any following cycle. The applications will be judged based on the environmental benefits of each project, in comparison to others. “Environmental benefits” can vary widely and successful applications have ranged from property clean-ups to environmental education.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Marine Debris
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Water Quality
Erosion
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Mar 20 – Sep 17, 2024

$1,000 - $4,000

Grow Grants Program

Awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The Grassroots Fund utilizes participatory grantmaking to move resources to New England grassroots groups working at the intersections of Environmental Justice. The program is geared toward groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Apr 29 – Jun 21, 2024

min $250,000 (no max)

Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030 – Round 5

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Planning
Community Engagement

Funding

: Jun 3 – Aug 29, 2025

$5,000 - $200,000

Urban Forest Equity Grant

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, historic funding is available to municipalities, nonprofits, and other eligible organizations to increase equitable access to trees and the benefits they provide in disadvantaged communities throughout Connecticut.

Connecticut State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Justice
Planning

Funding

: Nov 21 – Feb 8, 2024

max $500,000

DEEP Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants

Grants are awarded for projects that address Nonpoint Source impacts in surface waters including creation and implementation of approved Watershed Based Plans.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Infrastructure
Water Quality
Erosion
Environmental Justice
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Dec 10, 2024

Up to $5000

Community Match Fund

Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund is an innovative program that provides fast, flexible funding and support for engaging your community on wide-ranging sustainability projects. Eligible projects receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds from Sustainable CT.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Water Quality
Erosion
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Dec 10, 2024

none specified

Urban Act Grant Program

The Urban Act grant program is open to all Connecticut municipalities designated as economically distressed, public investment communities or urban centers. Funds are provided to improve and expand state activities which promote community conservation and development and improve the quality of life for urban residents of the state.

Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Recreation & Access
Community Engagement

Funding

: Dec 4 – Feb 1, 2024

$15,000-$200,000

Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund

The Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund (LISSF) is a competitive grant program seeking proposals to restore and protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. LISSF is interested in empowering communities of all kinds (including communities typically underrepresented in environmental programs and projects) to access, improve, and benefit from Long Island Sound, its waterways, and surrounding lands. Up to $500,000 was expected to be available for grants in 2023. The most competitive proposals will incorporate multiple values including sustainability, resilience, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

New York State
Connecticut State
Community Engagement

Funding

: Dec 10 – Jun 1, 2023

$100,000 - $50,000,000

Urban & Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Forest Service received a historic $1.5 billion to its Urban and Community Forestry program to support tree-planting, urban forest planning and management, and related activities, particularly in disadvantaged communities. In April 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for competitive grants for proposals that provide equitable access to trees and nature, and the benefits they provide, especially in disadvantaged urban communities.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice

Funding

: Mar 8 – Jun 6, 2023

$100,000-$800,000, up to $1.2 million for multi-state or multi-tribal projects.

Pollution Prevention (P2) Grants: Environmental Justice in Communities 

The grant provide technical assistance to businesses (e.g., information, training, expert advice) on source reduction, also known as pollution prevention (P2). Grantees must demonstrate that the project will improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities by implementing P2 approaches. P2 approaches can help businesses reduce the use and release of hazardous substances that can harm human health and the environment while also saving money by reducing their resource use, expenditures, waste and liability costs.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice

Funding

: Mar 8 – Jun 6, 2023

$100,000-$800,000, up to $1.2 million for multi-state or multi-tribal projects.

Pollution Prevention (P2) Grants: Environmental Justice Through Safer and more Sustainable Products

The grant provides P2 technical assistance to business to improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities by increasing the supply, demand and/or use of safer and more sustainable products, such as those that are certified by EPA’s Safer Choice label, or those that conform to EPA’s Recommendations for Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice

Funding

: Dec 10 – Sep 21, 2023

$100,000

Confluence Program

Each year, The Conservation Alliance awards four grants to groups led by Asian, Black, Brown, Hispanic, Indigenous, Latin American, or additional communities who identify as People of Color working to protect a natural place.

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Environmental Justice
Water Quality

Funding

: Jun 12 – Oct 20, 2023

not specified

US Army Corps Pilot Program Water Resources Projects for Small or Disadvantaged Communities

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is launching a pilot program to fully fund small water resources projects for economically disadvantaged communities (based on the federal definition of disadvantaged communities (PDF)). This program was directed by Section 165 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. : Project proposals under this pilot program are for projects under the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP). Under CAP, the Corps can plan, design, and implement certain types of water resources projects without additional project specific congressional authorization. The purpose of the CAP is to plan and implement projects of limited size, cost, scope, and complexity. While CAP projects typically require a costshare with a non-Federal sponsor, this pilot program will fully fund the selected projects.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Stormwater Management
Water Quality

Funding

: Nov 1 – Jan 31, 2024

$30,000 - $60,000

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support.

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Environmental Justice
Water Quality
Community Engagement

Funding

: Sep 1 – Dec 19, 2023

$75,000-$3M

Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities

$45 million in funding is available for projects that will advance the coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Through this funding, NOAA will help support community-driven habitat restoration and build the capacity of tribes and underserved communities to more fully participate in restoration activities.

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Environmental Justice
Wetlands

Funding

: Sep 9 – Nov 22, 2024

$5,000-$100,000

Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) 2025 RFA

EPA Long Island Sound Study announced the second round of this Environmental Justice program focused on the Long Island Sound watershed area within New York and Connecticut. The purpose of the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities with environmental justice concerns to address environmental issues and improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. Technical assistance will be provided through LISCIF and is available to communities/organizations even if one does not submit a funding proposal.  

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Justice
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands

Funding

: Jul 31 – Nov 8, 2023

$300K - $12M

Restoring Priority Tribal Fish Passage through Barrier Removal

Nearly $85 million in funding is available for fish passage and tribal capacity building under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This funding will support U.S. federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and tribal organizations in implementing fish passage work and building tribal organizational capacity.

New York State
Connecticut State
Aquatic Resources
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Planning

Funding

: Jun 29 – Nov 30, 2023

$500K - $10M

2023 Inflation Reduction Act Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal States, Tribes, and Territories Competition

Sea Grant and the NOAA Climate Program Office, with support from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, seek to establish programs aimed at placing people across the country into good jobs that advance climate resilience and assisting employers in developing a 21st century workforce that is climate literate, informed by climate resilience, and skilled at addressing consequent challenges. NOAA will assist communities in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories so they may form partnerships that train workers and place them into jobs that enhance climate resilience.

New York State
Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Incentive Programs
Planning
Community Engagement

Case Study

Stratford, CT

Restoration of the Great Meadows Marsh

This project restored 46 acres of the Great Meadows Marsh in Connecticut that was degraded from dredge material that was dumped on site, poor drainage, and sea level rise. The marsh was also overrun with invasive plants and mosquitoes. A controlled fire was started to kill the invasive reeds growing in the marsh. Then a construction crew removed invasive plants and the dumped dredge material. Lastly, channels were carefully dug for tidal flushing which will allow the marsh to keep pace with sea level rise. Soil hummocks were constructed for Salt Marsh Sparrow habitat. Now the area continues to be monitored, assessed for resiliency, and provides a field for innovative solutions to be tested in.

Partners

Trustees: USFWS, NOAA, State of Connecticut; Project Partners: Audubon Connecticut, Town of Stratford

Connecticut State
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Recreation & Access
Community Engagement
Wetlands

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Tree Equity Score

In cities across America, trees have historically been planted along race and class lines. Ensuring equitable tree cover across every neighborhood can help address social inequities so that all people can thrive. The map shows your city or town’s current Tree Equity Score and how it can be improved. Each score is calculated using a science-based approach and readily available data from a variety of sources.

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Justice

Plan

Level of Effort:

Rebuild by Design Atlas of Disaster: Connecticut

National Report with State-based County-level data detailing the experiences of communities as a result of climate change. State reports include eight maps that show where major disasters have occurred, where post-disaster support has been given, where the most socially vulnerable populations reside, and the energy reliability by utility area. It also provides county-level disaster data within State Assembly, Senate, and Congressional district boundaries.

Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Mapper

Level of Effort:

NYS Disadvantaged Communities Map

This mapper, developed through the New York Climate Act, was developed by the State Climate Justice Working Group to identify disadvantaged communities to ensure that frontline and otherwise underserved communities benefit from the state’s historic transition to cleaner, greener sources of energy, reduced pollution and cleaner air, and economic opportunities. The interactive map identifies areas throughout the State that meet the disadvantaged community Criteria as defined by the Climate Justice Working Group.

New York State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Climate Change and Extreme Heat

This booklet from the EPA and CDC summarizes why extreme heat is on the rise, how it might affect people, and outlines steps to prepare for extreme heat events to reduce health risks.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Extreme Weather & Storms

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CIRCA)

The CCVI combines built, social, and ecological factors to identify areas that are vulnerable to flooding and heat related impacts of climate change. These mapping tools can be used to view vulnerability at both a regional scale and at specific sites to see how factors are contributing.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice

Mapper

Level of Effort:

EPA EJScreen

EJScreen is an EPA environmental justice mapping and screening tool comprised of a nationally consistent dataset and approach for combining environmental and demographic socioeconomic indicators. EJScreen users choose a geographic area; the tool then provides demographic socioeconomic and environmental information for that area.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice

Mapper

Level of Effort:

FEMA Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT)

RAPT provides access to important data and analysis tools to support your community before, during and after a disaster.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Neighborhoods At Risk

Neighborhoods at Risk is an easy-to-use website with interactive maps, charts, and resources to help communities identify neighborhoods that may be more impacted by climate change. It shows where people may experience unequal impacts from flooding and extreme heat.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

NOAA Digital Coast – Ecosystem Services

Healthy ecosystems provide a wide range of benefits, from recreational opportunities to storm surge protection. These benefits are often referred to as ecosystem services. Understanding how changes to the ecosystem may affect these benefits should play a role in the community’s decision making process. This page provides a guide to learning more and key NOAA Digital Coast resources useful for this task.

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Wetlands

Mapper

Level of Effort:

NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer

Use this web mapping tool to visualize community-level impacts from coastal flooding or sea level rise (up to 10 feet above average high tides). Photo simulations of how future flooding might impact local landmarks are also provided, as well as data related to water depth, connectivity, flood frequency, socio-economic vulnerability, wetland loss and migration, and mapping confidence.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Wetlands

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

NYS Climate Smart Communities – Inclusive Community Engagement Primer

Inclusive community engagement is essential for successful environmental decision-making. The New York State Climate Smart Communities Program seeks to guide local governments in their community engagement efforts, particularly for inclusion of Disadvantaged Communities (DAC). Only through the leadership of those most affected by the climate crisis and environmental pollution can environmental and climate justice be achieved.

New York State
Environmental Justice
Incentive Programs

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

An Extreme Heat Toolkit for Connecticut Municipalities

Provides resources that help Connecticut’s municipal leaders fill gaps in local
extreme heat planning including
1. Communication templates
2. Cooling center best practices
3. A diverse collection of policy and planning actions
4. Advice on creating a heat response plan
Also provides Connecticut-specific information on how extreme heat impacts the
health of residents, especially vulnerable people, and extreme heat safety tips.

Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Website

Level of Effort:

Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast

A platform with resources by state for brownfield remediation, resilience, and sustainable redevelopment.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

American Planning Association (APA) Equity in Zoning Policy Guide

This policy guide identifies specific ways in which the drafting, public engagement, application, mapping, and enforcement of zoning regulations can be changed to dismantle the barriers that perpetuate the separation of historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

New York State
Connecticut State
Policies & Regulations

Training

SRC Annual Bi-State Workshop 2023

The second annual Long Island Sound Bi-State Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop brought together nearly 200 people virtually on Dec. 7, 2023 to learn about a new Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub (launching in early 2024), hear from communities and groups around the Sound working on resilience planning, and consider pathways for updating codes and ordinances. Videos of the workshop’s six sessions are available on YouTube. They can be accessed below along with supporting documents.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant CT Sea Grant NY