Community Impact Grant Program - Round 12

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), through its Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), has announced the availability of Round 12 of the Community Impact Grant (CIG) Program. This initiative, backed by $5.9 million from the Environmental Protection Fund, seeks to support not-for-profit (NFP) community-based organizations and Tribal Organizations in New York State. Its purpose is to implement projects that address the exposure of communities to multiple environmental harms and public health risks. Funded projects must include a research component to expand community understanding of environmental issues and propose measurable, beneficial outcomes. The grant program is specifically designed to empower communities in Environmental Justice (EJ) and Disadvantaged Communities (DACs). Projects must be located within or directly serve these designated areas. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) NFPs incorporated in New York State with annual revenues not exceeding $3 million, or recognized Tribal Organizations sharing geography with New York. Organizations that do not meet these requirements may partner with a fiscal sponsor. Ineligible applicants include individuals, municipalities, government bodies, and large-scale nonprofits serving areas broader than a single county or NYC borough. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) Grants Management portal. To apply, NFPs must be both registered and prequalified within the system by the submission deadline. Tribal Organizations are required to register but are exempt from prequalification. The bidding period began May 7, 2025, and a webinar is scheduled for May 15, 2025. The deadline for submitting questions is July 30, 2025, and final bids are due by August 13, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST. Awards are expected to be announced by December 2025. Applicants may request between $50,000 and $200,000. Projects must be completed within a 36-month period from the contract start date of October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2028, though extensions may be granted. Matching funds are not required. Acceptable expenditures include staff salaries, contractor services, administrative costs, equipment, supplies, travel, and public education. Prohibited costs include indirect overhead, pre/post-contract expenses, and costs covered by other government funding. Proposals are evaluated based on several factors, including community need, environmental/public health benefits, project feasibility, organizational capacity, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with regional economic development strategies. Additional points are awarded for letters of support and clear documentation of the community being served. Mandatory uploads include photos, maps, declarations, financial documents, and various certifications. For technical or general inquiries, applicants can contact Marilyn Moore, Program Manager, at EJGrants@dec.ny.gov or by phone at 518-402-8556. Technical assistance with SFS is available via helpdesk@sfs.ny.gov or 877-737-4185. Resources, FAQs, and necessary forms are available on the OEJ Grants website.