Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a grant from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR) that provides federal funding to cities, towns, villages, and counties in New York to assist low- and moderate-income communities. Eligible projects include drinking water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, home repair assistance, senior and community center improvements, and small business startup or expansion support. The program targets municipalities with populations under 50,000 (or counties under 200,000), with expert technical assistance available to help communities apply for and administer CDBG funds effectively.

2025-2026 NYS Companion Animal Capital Projects is a grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets that funds capital improvements to animal shelters and rescue facilities for dogs and cats. Eligible activities include construction, renovation, rehabilitation, equipment acquisition, and expansion of shelter infrastructure focused on heating, ventilation, security, and isolation capabilities. In FY26, $10 million was allocated for this program. Single-municipality grants range from $50,000 to $200,000; multi-municipality projects may receive $100,000 to $500,000, with the grant covering up to 90% of eligible costs. A 10% match is required. Eligible applicants are municipal governments and incorporated nonprofit pounds, shelters, humane societies, and rescue facilities in New York, excluding residential-based operations, and must be prequalified in the NYS Grants Gateway system.

Farm to School (New York State) is a grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets that funds initiatives to increase the use of locally sourced agricultural products in school meal programs and promote agricultural education in K-12 schools across New York State. The program supports connections between local farmers and schools, helping students learn about food systems and healthy eating while strengthening regional food economies. Awards of up to $150,000 are available to eligible non-profit organizations operating in New York State. The deadline for the most recent cycle was March 12, 2026. This grant aligns with statewide farm-to-school initiatives that build sustainable local food supply chains and improve student nutrition outcomes.

The SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest is a competitive program from Social Capital Inc. that funds youth-led community improvement projects in Greater Boston. Teams of high school students in grades 9 through 12 residing in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, or Suffolk counties develop project ideas through coaching from local professionals, then pitch their proposals to a live panel of judges. Winning teams receive $1,000 to $2,000 in grant funding to execute their community-strengthening visions. The program builds career skills including public speaking, project management, and team collaboration, while cultivating cross-socioeconomic connections among peers and mentors throughout the region.

The System Innovations Grant (Youth Opportunities Fund) is a multi-year funding opportunity from the Ontario Trillium Foundation that supports collaborative projects working to understand and strengthen systems so they function better for young people. Grants of up to $1,250,000 over five years fund collaboratives of two or more Ontario-based nonprofits aiming to create lasting systemic change that expands opportunities for youth ages 12 to 29, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous, Black, and other racialized youth facing systemic barriers. Eligible applicants are not-for-profit organizations incorporated for at least five years in Ontario with a mandate to serve youth, forming a formal collaborative. Indigenous- and Black-led organizations and collaboratives are prioritized. Applications were due March 11, 2026—check the Ontario Trillium Foundation website for upcoming intake cycles.

Improving Veteran Mental Health Grant Program is a grant from The Cigna Group Foundation that funds nonprofits providing housing stability and wraparound support services to improve the mental health of military veterans. The Foundation committed $9 million over three years addressing housing instability and its mental health impacts, as an estimated 40,000 veterans go without shelter nightly and 1.5 million are at risk of homelessness. Funded programs include mortgage and rental assistance, employment re-entry training, and housing development for veterans. Eligible nonprofits must leverage evidence-informed programs and align with at least one goal: increasing permanent housing, improving housing affordability, or enhancing wraparound services for veterans transitioning from shelters.