Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) is sending his “December Grant Action News Update” to residents, organizations and local governments regarding a series of grants available from the state, federal government and private entities. Each month, the Assembly provides an updated list of grants for a variety of categories.

“During a time of economic recovery, grants can play an integral part in helping our local communities complete needed infrastructure repairs or support underfunded projects,” said Palmesano. “Many people don’t realize the scope of available opportunities because they aren’t sure where to look. The ‘Grants Action News’ bulletin makes finding these grants much easier by consolidating the information and making it available to everyone. I hope residents, organizations and local governments throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions will be able to use this resource to find much-needed support to strengthen communities in our rural area.”

All not-for-profit applicants must now pre-qualify on the NYS Grants Reform website at grantsreform.ny.gov/grantees in order to apply for certain New York state grant solicitations. Potential not-for-profit applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process of registering and prequalifying immediately as this is a lengthy process.

The Grant Action News bulletin is updated at the beginning of each month with newly available grants and information on how to apply.

The update can be accessed here: https://nyassembly.gov/gan/?sec=story&story=112222

State Grants:

NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets, Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program

This funding will go toward projects that encourage the use of fresh New York state farm products in meal preparation for K-12 school children, reduce food insecurity, increase market opportunities for New York State producers and strengthen the resiliency of our state’s food system.

Eligible Applicants: Governmental entities, not-for-profit organizations, Tribal organizations

Deadline: December 5, 2024, 4 p.m.

Total Funding Available: $41.4 million

Contact Name: Courtney Bailey

Contact Email: farmtoschool@agriculture.ny.gov

Link to Additional Information: https://agriculture.ny.gov/request-proposals-rfp-0358-new-york-state-regional-school-food-infrastructure-grant-program

NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets, Community Growers Grants

These grants support garden-based nutrition education and food production in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible communities as a beneficial activity that leads to the economical production and consumption of healthy and fresh food.

Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit organizations, Tribal organizations, local or municipal governments

Deadline: December 6, 2024, 4 p.m.

Total Funding Available: $74.6 million

Maximum Award: $50,000

Minimum Award: $20,000

Contact Name: Steven Affat

Contact Email: Steven.Affat@agriculture.ny.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://agriculture.ny.gov/funding-opportunities

https://agriculture.ny.gov/rfa-0346-snap-ed-community-growers-grant-program

https://agriculture.ny.gov/request-applications-rfa-0346-community-growers-grant-program

NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Hudson River Tributary Restoration and Resiliency Funding

This funding is for projects that implement priorities of the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda to conserve, restore and revitalize the estuary and its ecosystem. The funding seeks to achieve one or more of the following objectives of the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda:

Support the restoration of free-flowing waters to benefit water quality, stream habitat and aquatic connectivity in tributary streams of the estuary, conserve and restore habitat for migratory fish in tributary streams of the estuary, help communities with existing and projected impacts of localized flooding along tributary streams of the estuary, conserve for future generations the rich diversity of plants, animals and habitats of the Hudson River estuary ecosystem.

Eligible Applicants: Governmental entities; not-for-profit organizations, Tribal organizations

Deadline: December 12, 2024, 3 p.m.

Total Funding Available: $800,000

Maximum Award: $50,000

Minimum Award: $10,500

Contact: Susan Pepe

Contact Email: HREPGrants@dec.ny.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/oceans-estuaries/hudson-river-estuary-program/grants-funding-opportunities

https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-10/ tribsrfa.pdf

NYS Office of Mental Health, Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Funding
This funding is for the development of seven Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams. Forensic ACT teams will serve individuals who are justice-involved and have serious mental illness (SMI) who have not been successfully engaged by the traditional mental health treatment and rehabilitation system.

Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit organizations

Deadline: December 18, 2024, 2 p.m.

Total Funding Available: Approximately $54.6 million

Contact: Jerry Witkop

Contact Email: OMHLocalProcurement@omh.ny.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2024/f-inset/index.html

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2024/adult_ forensic_act/adult_forensic_act_rfp.pdf

NYS Office of Mental Health, Managing and Deescalating Challenging Behaviors Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Funding

This funding supports behavioral health providers in managing the safety of staff and patients with complex behavioral health needs through a cost-effective & efficient training collaborative that provides case conferencing and didactic lessons related to violence and other difficult behavioral symptoms.

Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit organizations

Deadline: December 18, 2024, 2 p.m.

Total Funding Available: $1.5 million

Contact: Jerry Witkop

Contact Email: OMHLocalProcurement@omh.ny.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2024/project-echo/ index.html

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2024/project-echo/ project-echo-rfp.pdf

NYS Dept. of Health, Healthcare Education and Life Skills Funding

This funding will help increase the number of students, or trainees, pursuing careers in health care by offering wrap-around services and support. This initiative seeks to increase the health care workforce by:

Identifying health care workforce shortages by region and supporting students/trainees interested in pursuing careers to meet the identified health care needs of the region

increasing graduation/completion rates among students/trainees by assessing the barriers to completion, and providing the necessary supports required for success.

Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit organizations

Deadline: December 20, 2024, 4 p.m.

Total Funding Available: $97.5 million

Contact: Carrie Roseamelia

Contact Email: help.services.grant@health.ny.gov

Link to Additional Information: https://www.nyscr. ny.gov/iframes/openAdDetail.cfm?id=128EB001-488C- 4984-9F3D-281E8643E2C1

NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets, Companion Animal Funding

Funding will be available for the costs of capital projects, including construction, renovation, rehabilitation, installation acquisition or expansion of buildings, equipment or facilities necessary for the secure containment, health and adequate care of sheltered dogs and cats.

Eligible Applicants: Governmental entities, not-for-profit organizations

Deadline: December 20, 2024, 4 p.m.

Total Funding Available: $10.4 million

Contact: Ana M. Colon

Contact Email: ana.colon@agriculture.ny.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://agriculture.ny.gov/funding-opportunities

https://agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0342-companion-animal-capital-projects-fund

https://agriculture.ny.gov/request-proposals-rfp-0342- companion-animal-capital-projects-fund

NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Establishing Large Forests (ELF) Grants

This funding will increase the amount of forested land in New York state to help address climate change, protect air and water quality, increase access to renewable resources, support local economies, mitigate impacts from extreme heat and flooding and more. Through ELF, private landowners can apply for financial assistance to establish new forests on properties with five acres or more that are not currently forested. This is a reimbursement program, so all costs would be covered by the landowner or fiscal sponsor first and then they would be refunded.

Eligible Applicants: Individuals, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, governmental entities

Deadline: January 7, 2025, 3 p.m.

Total Funding Available: $4.5 million

Contact: Ian Crisman

Contact Email: largeforests@dec.ny.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/private-forest-management/establishing-large-forests-grant-program

https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-10/ elfchecklist.pdf

Federal Grants:

Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)

These grants will be awarded to national and regional non-profit organizations and consortia to facilitate and encourage innovative homeownership opportunities on a national, geographically diverse basis through the provision of self-help homeownership housing programs. Applicants must propose to use a significant amount of SHOP Grant funds in at least two states. This funding must be used for land acquisition, infrastructure improvements and for reasonable and necessary planning and administration costs.

Eligible Applicants: Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" in the link below for clarification); nonprofit organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Deadline: December 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

Estimated Total Program Funding: $12 million

Expected Number of Awards: 7

Award Ceiling: $12 million

Award Floor: $1.145 million

Contact: Jovette Bryant

Contact Email: RHED@hud.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356729

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/cfo/ gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps/FY24SHOP

Dept. of Homeland Security, Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG)

This funding will assist eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations and state fire training academies (SFTAs) to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, outfit responders with compliant personal protective equipment, provide funding to retrofit or modify facilities to protect personnel from known health hazards, acquire emergency response vehicles, design and implement health, wellness and resiliency programs that prepare responders for incident response, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability and support community resilience.

Eligible Applicants: Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized); city or township governments; county governments; nonprofits having a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; fire departments; state fire training academies; nonaffiliated emergency medical services.

Deadline: December 20, 2024

Estimated Total Program Funding: $291.6 million

Expected Number of Awards: 2000

Award Ceiling: $9 million

Contact Email: femago@fema.dhs.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356998

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/ firefighters/assistance-grants

Private Grants:

Helen Diller Family Foundation, Tikkun Olam Teen Awards

The foundation awards up to 15 Jewish teens with $36,000 each for their leadership efforts to change the world. From the environment to social justice to access to education and beyond, these young people are tackling big challenges in their communities and having a tremendous impact.

Eligible Applicants Must: be 13-19 years old by the application deadline, identify as Jewish be a resident of the U.S., volunteer without any compensation serve in a leadership role on a project or initiative that embodies the values of tikkun olam — repairing the world

■ Project Criteria Should: focus on a single project or initiative led by the applicant and demonstrate that the applicant has made a significant and impactful contribution in a leadership role, either in initial project creation or over time show the project’s measurable impact. provide a clear articulation of an issue area, geographic region and community that the project serves the Jewish community or the broader community.

■ Deadline for nominations: December 20, 2024

■ Number of Awards: Up to 15

■ Award Amounts: $36,000 for each award winner

■ Contact Email: dillerteenawards@sfjcf.org

■ Links to Additional Information: https://dillerteenawards.org/

https://dillerteenawards.org/about-the-awards/

https://dillerteenawards.org/apply/

Top of Form Classics for Kids Foundation, K-12 Matching Grant Funding for Stringed Instruments

These grants will assist schools or nonprofit organizations to incorporate string instruments in K-12 music education programs. All instruments in the string family are supported (including guitars and ukuleles).

Eligible Applicants: Schools or nonprofit organizations that are based in the U.S.

Letter of Inquiry Deadline: December 31, 2024

Award Amounts: Vary

Contact: Michael Reynolds

Contact Email: info@classicsforkids.org

Links to Additional Information: https://classicsforkids.org/apply-for-a-grant/

https://p1s639.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/ uploads/2024/08/CFKF-GrantApplication-04-2024.pdf

Craft Emergency Relief Fund, Emergency Relief Grants (ERG) for Craft Artists

These grants help craft artists who have experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.

Eligible Applicants Must: be craft artists, be age 18 and over be living and working in the U.S. or U.S. territories for the past two years, have not received an ERG in the previous year or exceeded the lifetime limit of four grants

Deadline: Rolling

Award Amounts: Up to $3,000

Contact Email: programs@cerfplus.org

Links to Additional Information: https://cerfplus.org/

https://cerfplus.org/grants/

https://cerfplus.org/grants/emergency-relief/

Scholar Awards:

Cards Against Humanity, Science Ambassador Scholarships

These scholarships are available for undergraduate women and non-binary students whose major field of study is in science, technology, engineering or math.

Eligible Applicants Must Be: undergraduate college students or high school seniors, women or nonbinary students attending or planning on attending a college in the U.S. or U.S. territories

Deadline: December 16, 2024, 11:59 CST

Number of Awards: 5

Award Amounts: $20,000 per award

Contact Email: SAS@CardsAgainstHumanity.com

Links to Additional Information: https://www.scienceambassadorscholarship.org/

https://www.scienceambassadorscholarship. org/#apply

https://www.scienceambassadorscholarship. org/#contact

John F. Kennedy, Profiles in Courage Essay Contest

Students will write an essay describing and analyzing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern an issue at the local, state, national or international level.

1. Applicants: the contest is open to U.S. high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial or home schools; U.S. students under the age of 20 enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories; and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas. Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate. Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and members of their families are not eligible to participate

Deadline: January 17, 2025

Award Amounts: first place: $10,000

second place: $3,000

five finalists: $1,000 each

ten semifinalists: $100 each

Contact Email: profiles@nara.gov

Links to Additional Information: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/getting-started

https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/faq

https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/eligibility-and-requirements