Funding Opportunities for Municipalities

This mid-month edition provides new, time-sensitive information about funding opportunities, including:



• Congressionally Directed Spending
• SS4A Funding and Workshop
• Governor Lamont's Funding Survey
• Connecticut Community Investment Fund 2030 (CT DECD)
• Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program (CT DEEP)
• View the April Funding Newsletter for more opportunities, and be on the lookout for our May edition.

Please contact Elizabeth Sanderson with questions or if you are interested in applying for these funding opportunities.

Congressionally Directed Spending (Community Project Funding)

Application Deadline: Sunday, April 27 

The Offices of U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy are now accepting applications for requests of Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) from public and non-profit entities. Projects from FY 25 were not funded due to being cut from the Continuing Resolution. The Offices of Senators Blumenthal and Murphy will resubmit and support the FY25 projects that were cut for consideration in FY26. 

Discretionary funding may be awarded for specific projects in specific locations, relevant to the following bills: 

1. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
2. Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies 
3. Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies 
4. Financial Services and General Government  
5. Homeland Security  
6. Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
7. Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies 
8. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies 
9. Military Construction and Veteran Affairs

Apply through the FY2026 application portal. More information is available in the FY26 CDS Application Guidance document. Applicants only need to submit one application through the online portal, and it will be reviewed by both offices. 

It is anticipated that securing CDS funds in FY26 will be more difficult than in previous years. Please contact Senate Office Staff with questions or for more information: 

• Appropriations@blumenthal.senate.gov
• Appropriations@murphy.senate.gov

U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)

CTDEEP Recreational Trails Grants

Application Deadline: June 26, 2025

FY2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All NOFO is live!

Two types of grants again, Planning & Demonstration and Implementation, with a single application deadline of June 26. Over $982M is available, with a similar amount expected to be available next year.

• $580M is available for Implementation Grants, with 40 to 70 awards ranging from $2.5M-$25M expected.
• $402M is available for Planning and Demonstration Grants, with 400 to 700 awards ranging from $100,000 to $5M expected.

Eligible applicants can apply for only one type of grant. A minimum 20% non-Federal cost share is required.

View application documents at Grants.gov and apply online through ValidEval:

• Implementation Grant Application: https://usg.valideval.com/teams/usdot_ss4a_2025_implementation/signup 
• Planning and Demonstration Grant Application: https://usg.valideval.com/teams/usdot_ss4a_2025_planning_demo/signup 

Join us for an SS4A workshop on Tuesday, April 29 at 11am:

Governor Lamonts Funding Survey

Governor Lamont has released an online reporting tool for municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses to report impacts of federal funding cuts. The state aims to compile a central database to provide lawmakers with a better understanding of how federal directives are affecting various groups, geographical regions and sectors of the economy.

Learn more.

CT DECD Community Investment Fund 2030 

Round 7

Application Deadline: June 6, 2025 at 12:00pm NOON

• Notice of Funding Availability will be posted on April 28, 2025
• Sharepoint Folder Request Deadline- May 30, 2025 at 5:00pm

Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) established the Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) in 2021 with the goal of fostering economic development in historically under-served communities across the state. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to 55 eligible municipalities as well as nonprofit organizations, including arts and culture organizations, and community development corporations that operate within them.

Visit the program website for more information. An informational webinar will be held Monday, April 28 at 1 pm - Register Here.

CT DEEP Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program

Application Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025

Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced availability of $7.5M through the Sustainable Materials Management program to help towns and cities dispose of waste. The program will support development of food scrap collection and unit-based pricing programs, and other reduction, recycling, and diversion programs.

View the Request for Applications and the Program Website for more information. An informational webinar will be held Monday, April 28, 2 - 3:30 pm - Register Here.

Individual and groups of municipalities are encouraged to apply, as well as regional entities.

Apply to CT DEEP by submitting application materials to DEEP.MMCAPlanning@ct.gov on or after May 8 but before the application deadline.

View previous Funding Opportunities Newsletters here.