Thank you for checking out AES Northeast's 'Funding the Northeast' grant newsletter! Each month, we’ll highlight current and upcoming state, federal, and regional funding programs that can help communities and organizations move important projects forward. Our goal is to make it easier to identify promising opportunities, understand what’s coming, and begin preparing early.

NY BRICKS Round 2: Community Center Capital Grants (New York)

New York State has launched the second round of NY BRICKS, making $75 million available to municipalities and nonprofits to build, renovate, and modernize community centers. Grants range from $250,000 to $15 million, with priority given to projects in underserved communities. Recipients must provide a 20 percent match toward total project costs. Questions must be submitted by September 30. Applications open November 2 and are due by 3 p.m. on December 7, 2026.

Vermont Municipal Planning Grant, FY27 (Vermont)

FY27 maximum awards have increased to $50,000 for individual municipalities and $65,000 for consortium applications, with a minimum 10% cash match (waived for a first municipal plan or bylaw). Eligible uses include master plans for designated centers, such as pre-engineering for water and wastewater and multimodal street visioning. The application opens October 1, 2026 and is due December 2, 2026 at 6 p.m.

USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant (Federal)

This program funds essential community facilities in rural cities, villages, and towns with no more than 20,000 residents. Examples include town halls, fire departments, health care facilities, libraries, child care centers, and infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Grants can cover up to 75% of project cost based on a graduated eligibility scale and can be paired with low-interest loans. Applications are accepted year-round.

Restore New York Communities Initiative (New York)

Restore NY helps municipalities demolish, rehabilitate, and restore blighted structures and turn them into residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. Funding for the next round was included in the most recent New York State budget cycle, and the last round (2024) launched in the fall. Eligible projects involve vacant, abandoned, condemned, or surplus properties. Applicants must provide at least a 10% match and hold a public hearing on the application and property assessment list. The last round required an Intent to Apply form roughly one month after launch, so municipalities should identify target properties and confirm site control now.

Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward (New York)

The FY 2026 and FY 2027 Enacted Budgets provide another $100 million for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs. Last year's DRI and NY Forward round opened in early September and closed in early November, so a new announcement is expected soon. Each region typically receives one $10 million DRI award and two $4.5 million NY Forward awards, with NY Forward focused on smaller and rural downtowns. Communities must have a submitted Pro-Housing Communities letter of intent or certification before applying, and be fully certified before awards are announced. Now is the time to identify and assemble your downtown boundary, project list, and community support.

EPA Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Grants (Federal)

FY 2027 Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup solicitations are expected in fall 2026, with applications due about 60 days after release. Current planning estimates point to roughly 93 awards nationwide totaling about $64 million, a much smaller pool than past years, and no Multipurpose Grant round is expected. Smaller communities without capacity to manage their own grant can partner through an Assessment Coalition led by another eligible entity. Communities with vacant or underused properties should begin site inventories and partner conversations now.

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