Youth Climate Action Fund

Youth Climate Action Fund is sponsored by NYC Public Schools Office of Energy & Sustainability / Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, administered by NYC Public Schools, offers grants to high school students in NYC to bring student voice into City climate planning.

Sustainability Hub - Grants New! Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund For 2026-27, we have a new grant opportunity for high school students in NYC, to bring student voice into City climate planning.

NYC is among the 300 global cities selected to join Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund efforts to engage youth in municipal climate solutions, building capacity, organizational sustainability, and trust with City government.

For the first time, NYC Public Schools invites high school students to apply for funding for climate projects ($1-4K), with grantees receiving technical support and opportunities to share their projects with City leaders.

Students interested in applying for the grant, along with supporting staff from their schools, can join a virtual information session to learn more: Tuesday, September 29 from 5-6PM Thursday, October 1 from 5-6PM 2026-27 Youth Climate ACtion Fund Guidelines Up to twenty winning schools will receive $1,000-4,000 to support student-led projects this school year.

The application opens Friday, September 11 and closes Friday, October 23 at 11:59PM. Read eligibility requirements and application details below. Eligibility and Application Requirements The grant is open to all NYC Public Schools with students ages 14-21.

Applicants must attend a New York City Public or Charter School. At least two youth project leads are required, but your proposal can include a larger student group (such as Green Team or Student Council). Before applying, you will need a Project Advisor, and Principal approval to submit your application.

Two students at will serve as your Youth Project Leads. Youth project leads will work with our Office throughout the year to support project implementation and to develop your leadership skills. One youth project lead must attend monthly in-person meetings on Thursdays from 4:30PM-6:30PM.

A teacher or staff from your school must serve as your project advisor, and will be the direct contact for our Office. They should be familiar with your project, accessible by email and school budgeting processes. Each project proposal must state what happens in the project, the output (the project activities), and the outcome (what happens as a result of the activities), and a draft of how you'll spend your budget.

The proposed project must be completed by April 15, 2027, in advance of Earth Day. Proposals should align with one of the four Climate Action Day themes: Redu ce Waste (to reduce carbon emissions through waste prevention, reduction, recycling, reuse, circularity practices like composting). Increase Energy Efficiency (to meet City targets to be carbon neutral by 2050, including conservation, electrification, renewables).

Focus on Water (to conserve water, support clean water ecosystems, and adapt to increased rainfall). Expand and Improve Green Space (to help protect us from climate threats, improve health, and provide outdoor learning and play spaces to learn and connect).

Expectations and Commitments for Winning Projects Youth project leads will work with our Office throughout the year to support project implementation and to develop leadership skills. One youth project lead must attend monthly in-person meetings on Thursdays from 4:30PM-6:30PM (exact dates and location to be shared if your project is selected).

Your Project Advisor (teacher or staff from your school) will be the direct contact for our Office and should be accessible by email and knowledgeable on the project, as well as school budgeting. Youth project leads will report back on project activities, outcomes, and budget spending throughout the school year. Projects must be completed by April 15, 2027.

You will be invited to share your completed project with City leaders, and with other NYCPS students at the 2027 Youth Climate Summit (date TBD). You will showcase your project with photos, videos, and other materials submitted to the Office of Energy & Sustainability.

What You'll Need to Apply Budget Template (see Sample Budget for an example) Declaration Document to be signed by your Principal, Teacher/Staff Project Advisor, and Youth Project Leads When you have these materials ready, you must submit your application answers, completed budget template, and signed declaration document through the Google form.

11 th Annual sustainability project grant The NYCPS 11th Annual Sustainability Project Grant application has closed, and will be awarded in the fall of the 2026-27 school year. Each year, schools apply to support sustainability projects, including climate education, gardens & outdoor learning, environmental justice, and Climate Action Days.

Schools could apply for either $5K in funding or one of these material categories: Schools interested in working with a partner organization can browse partner offerings . Schools may partner with other organizations outside of this list, as long as they're NYCPS vendors.

There are countless examples of successful grant projects, from Open Streets activations, to tending a beehive, to running a student-led farmstand with produce from the school garden! One school used their grant funding to plant the first pollinator garden in Bay Ridge. Learn more about their great work in a story from CBS News .

See grants with rolling deadlines below followed by grants with specific deadlines throughout the year. EcoRise student innovation fund EcoRise’s curriculum, resources, and grant funds can be used to increase student engagement and cultivate eco-literacy and student innovation on your campus and in your community.

As a part of our Sustainable Intelligence Program , K–12 educators receive curricula and professional development to implement design thinking in their classrooms and guide students through Eco-Audits. Students who collect data and design environmental solutions based on what they learn are eligible to apply for up to $700 to bring solutions that tackle sustainability challenges to life in their community.

Learn more about the EcoRise Student Innovation Fund . Connect Kids to Parks Grant The Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program (Connect Kids) is a field trip program designed to connect students attending NYS elementary and middle schools with nature and history. Each grant provides up to $1,000 grant for field trips to state and federal parks, historic sites, fish hatcheries and other outdoor recreation areas.

Applications must be submitted four (4) weeks before the field trip is planned to occur and no earlier than six (6) months prior to the field trip. Details and application HERE . Hudson Valley Seed Co Donations To help make gardening as accessible as possible, Hudson Valley Seed Co donates packs of seeds to gardeners in need.

Over the years, they've donated thousands of seeds to school gardens, community garden groups, and seed sharing organizations - last year alone, they sent out over 5,000 packs of seed. Details and application HERE . ioby Healthy Neighborhoods Challenge - Crowdfund Matching Have an idea to make your community a healthier place to live?

Need some cash to make it happen? When you crowdfund with ioby to raise the money you need to launch a project that boosts your community's health, they'll double your donations dollar-for-dollar. These NY communities are eligible to apply: Brownsville, Lower East Side, East Harlem NYC Department of Transportation manages and maintains 28,000+ CityRacks citywide.

CityRacks provide free and public bicycle parking on New York City sidewalks to help discourage bike parking on mailboxes, parking meters, trees, and other sidewalk structures. To request a bike rack near your school, see details and request form HERE .

Herman's Garden seed donation program Each year, Seed Savers Exchange donates the previous year's unsold seeds to charitable organizations through our Herman's Garden Seed Donation Program. To qualify for a Herman's Garden seed donation, an organization must be a nonprofit and have a shipping address within the United States.

Neither seeds nor resulting produce from a Herman's Garden seed donation may be sold, raffled, or given in exchange for money or donation, including for fundraising events. Herman's Garden volunteers pre-pack the donation boxes with 50 seed packets, each a different variety. Recipients do not choose specific varieties, but will receive a wide selection of seed varieties.

Organizations may not apply for more than one Herman's Garden seed donation every twelve months. There will be a $15 shipping and handling charge for each donation. Details and application HERE .

Pets in the Classroom was founded to enhance students’ educational and personal development through interaction with pets in their classroom. If you meet the qualifications , you will receive a grant. And, not only will they help you purchase your classroom pet and set up its classroom habitat, but they'll help you continue caring for it through its lifetime!

Each educator is eligible for one initial grant per lifetime, and is then eligible for a $50. 00 sustaining grant each school year thereafter. Our grants follow the teacher and not the school.

Learn more and apply here. The Traditional Bee Grant allows for K-12 schools or non-profit organizations that serve any grades K-12 to start a new or enhance an existing bee program hosting live bees on their campus. Details and application HERE .

Karma for Cara Foundation Deadline: Jan 1, April 1, July 1, Oct 1 Students 18 years of age and under may apply for funds between $250 and $1,000 to complete service projects in their communities. These project should involve more than just purchasing items and donating them . This grant does not fund stipends, facility rentals, or transportation costs.

Details and application HERE .

HeART food justice for all AWARD Deadline: Rolling until April 1 The Compassionate Communities Food Justice for All program provides cash grants of up to $1,000 to support participating schools in achieving their food justice goals by bringing teaching tools, topical resources, and on-going staff consultation to K-8 schools, partnering with them in developing impactful student-led service actions that address issues of food equity, advance local food sovereignty, and support the critical transformation of our food systems to a humane and agroecological model both locally and globally.

Details and application HERE . Coast of Maine Growing Good Donations Soil Program Deadline: Open in Winter for Spring pickup We believe in nurturing growth beyond your garden’s boundaries. That’s why we’re committed to supporting our community by donating our products to promote both their well-being and the health of the natural world that sustains us all.

We're pleased to provide Coast of Maine products to schools, public gardens, and non-profit initiatives. Details & Application HERE .

New york agriculture in the classroom grow with us grant Deadline: Reopens in fall of 2026 for the 2026-2027 grant cycle The Grow with Us Grant provides schools an opportunity to apply for one of four options: a bundle of three Tower Gardens, 3 tier grow rack with led grow lights, a vermicomposting Worm Café, or a compost tumbler.

Schools should apply for the system that best meets their educational goals and available classroom or outdoor space. New York Agriculture in the Classroom aspires to provide teachers the tools to facilitate experiential learning opportunities using agriculture as the context for learning. Details & Application HERE .

gro more good grassroots grant Deadline: Reopens in fall of 2026 The GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant, brought to you by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening, is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States.

The Grassroots Grants support The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company’s commitment to GroMoreGood by bringing the life-enhancing benefits of gardens and greenspaces to children across the country. In 2024, 170 programs will receive funding to start or expand their youth garden or greenspace. A total of $100,000 will be awarded Details and application HERE .

Monarch Watch Free milkweed applications Deadline: Applications open October 2026, close early-mid February 2027 Bring Back the Monarchs is a program supplying free Milkweeds for schools and non-profits to create habitat for monarchs and pollinators. Milkweeds are awarded in the order that applications are received until availability runs out, so submit early!

The native milkweed comes in "plugs" - live plants that have been grown in a restoration nursery to be planted in your ecosystem/green space. Details & Application HERE .

C atskills watershed corporation Deadline: Reopens in Fall 2026 This grant supports projects (up to $10,000) that emphasize the importance of the City’s water supply; the role of Watershed residents as stewards of that resource; the ecology of the WOH Watershed, the diversity of its aquatic and terrestrial life and habitat, and the unique cultural heritage of the Catskills. Details & Application HERE .

citizensnyc Community leaders grant Deadline: Reopens in May, apply by July 25 CitizensNYC awards micro-grants up to $ 5 ,000 to community building projects carried out by resident-led groups to improve neighborhood life, strengthen local leadership, and scale community partnerships.

Grassroots leaders know and have what it takes to roll up their sleeves and make change to boost civic engagement, neighborhood wealth, and community health. Apply for a CitizensNYC Community Leaders Grant. clif family foundation grant Deadline: March 1 and August 1 Our grants are awarded annually for general operational support as well as for specific projects.

Priority is given to applications that address two or more of our funding priorities at the same time: Strengthen our food system Enhance equitable community health outcomes Safeguard our environment and natural resources Demonstrate strong community ties. Operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change. Details and application HERE .

Deadline: Applications due to Borough Presidents in February or Council Members in March Reso "A" projects are school specific capital improvement or enhancement projects that are funded through individual grants which are allocated by the Borough Presidents or members of the New York City Council.

The School Construction Authority (SCA) has also been able to utilize Reso "A" funding to complete some unique and innovative projects such as a Challenger Space Center, an Edible Schoolyard (farm), planetarium upgrade and Green roofs. See project types and timeline HERE .

Litter clean up mini-grant Deadline: Reopens Winter 2027 Take action beyond your school to improve the health of the neighborhood by removing litter from sidewalks, curbs, and storm drains. This grants provides educators with all of the supplies and guidance necessary to lead youth litter cleanups.

With these materials, they'll be able to extend learning outside of the classroom, show youth the value of community service, and teach students about the impacts of litter on our environment. Recommended for grades 2-12. Learn more and apply for a Litter Clean-up Mini-Grant .

Shipt Community Garden Grant T he 2026 Garden Grants program to seed new urban gardens and restore existing gardens in select metro areas. The grant empowers awardees to establish, revitalize, and expand urban gardens, making them hubs of community connection and empowerment. The possibilities are broad — from adding walkways and path lights, to installing irrigation and trellises.

Apply for the Shipt Community Garden Grant. The Americas Green Hour School Challenge National Wildlife Federation (NWF) invites you to participate in The Americas Green Hour School Challenge by submitting innovative projects or ideas to get your school, classroom, group, or club outdoors and connected with nature in meaningful ways. You could receive a grant from $500 to $10,000!

Learn more and apply here . Agricultural Literacy Grant Deadline: Will Reopen Next Winter New York Agriculture in the Classroom's Agricultural Literacy Grant helps fund creative ways to teach through a lens of agriculture. An Agricultural Literacy Grant proposal can be anywhere between $10 to a maximum of $1,200 .

Proposals for the Agricultural Literacy Grant can include, but are not limited to: funding for farm field trips, purchasing agriculturally accurate books, materials for classroom projects, starting a courtyard chicken coop, expanding your school garden project, and more. Learn more and apply here.

City Gardens Club Scholarship Program The City Gardens Club of New York City is offering scholarships for science teachers to attend summer programs offered by local and regional organizations, such as the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and The Horticultural Society of New York.

This summer for the first time, The City Gardens Club is offering scholarships to attend The American Horticultural Society’s National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, which will be held in Hartford, CT. The 2025 Symposium will focus on “Science & History in Youth Gardening. ” Learn more and apply here.

Deadline: Will reopen next school year Hunter Industries and KidsGardening are working together to offer the Waterwise Garden Grant to support public and charter schools planning to teach about water conservation, water stewardship, and responsible water management through gardening. In 2026, twenty-five elementary schools and/or middle schools will be awarded $1,000 - $2,250 in funding and an irrigation supply kit valued at $500.

Apply by Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:59 pm PT. ¡Pueden aplicar a los programas en español! Aplica aquí y haga clic en el botón "English (US)" y cámbielo a "Spanish".

Learn more and apply here. KidsGardening Youth Garden Grant Deadline: Will reopen next school year Since 1982, the Youth Garden Grant has supported school and youth educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life for youth and their communities. In early 2026, up to 50 organizations will be awarded $750 in funding for their youth garden program.

Any organization in the United States or US Territories planning a new or improving an existing garden program that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 0 and 18 is eligible to apply. Learn more and apply here.

City Gardens Club of nyc school garden grants Deadline: Will reopen next school year City Gardens Club grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 are offered on a yearly basis for worthwhile projects that conform to the mission of the Grants Committee, which is to bring the beauty of the natural world into the lives of children and adults in all five boroughs of New York City and to sponsor educational programs that help citizens: develop appreciation and knowledge of nature support the preservation and improvement of the city’s environment Details and application HERE.

Deadline: Will reopen Fall of 2026 The American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Shade Structure Program awards funds to schools, day-cares, parks, and other non-profit organizations for installing permanent shade structures where children learn and play. Each shade structure award is a maximum of $8,000, which includes the cost for shade structure materials and installation.

In addition to the grant, the AAD also provides a permanent sign to be placed near the shade structure featuring sun-safety tips. The AAD receives support for this program through donations from its members, outside organizations, and individuals. Learn more and apply here.

Grow nyc education Farmstand business grant Deadline: Will reopen next school year Farmstand Business is a hands-on, entrepreneurship-based, 12-lesson curriculum that empowers high school students and their school communities to take a meaningful look at our food system and then turn what they learned into action by operating youth-led farmstands.

Teens will examine the vetted food access model GrowNYC has employed for over 50 years to increase access to fresh food for New Yorkers, and they will learn how to develop a real food access business. Schools can receive up to $2,250 to support food distribution infrastructure.