Federal Grant Opportunities: 11-7-2023

Federal Grant Opportunities: November 7, 2023 My office is sharing the following information on federal grant opportunities available to you. If you are applying for a grant that accepts Congressional letters of support, or if you are seeking additional information or guidance in your application process, please contact our office. We stand ready to assist you in your application in any way we can. Featured Funding OpportunitiesSustaining Cultural Heritage CollectionsThis program helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting environmentally sustainable preventive care measures that mitigate deterioration, prolong the useful life of collections, reduce energy consumption, and strengthen institutions’ ability to anticipate and respond to disasters.The deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2024.DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry GrantsNew York was awarded $13.5 million from the Federal Urban and Community Forestry Program. This grant program is designed to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces in urban and community forests to support building a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and create economic opportunity.Applicants may apply for funding under two categories, Community Forest Management Plan Implementation ($10 million) and Ash Tree Management ($2.9 million). The maximum request is $500,000 per application and no match is required. All projects must take place in disadvantaged communities as identified by any of three Federal and State tools listed in the Request for Applications (RFA). The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.DEC is holding a virtual information session on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to provide information on this limited-time funding opportunity. The information session will cover eligible applicants and projects, application requirements and scoring, and other information that will help applicants plan their projects. Register for this webinar here. Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant (VFA) Program - Wildland Firefighting EquipmentThe VFA Program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by DEC Forest Rangers. Fire departments will receive 50/50 matching funds up to $2,500. As an example, a fire department is required to spend up to $5,000 on approved firefighting equipment to be reimbursed an equal grant amount up to $2,500.Only expenses directly related to wildland firefighting suppression efforts are eligible for funding. This includes portable pumps, portable backpack pumps, hand tools, fire hose, approved lightweight fire-resistant clothing, hard hats, turnout gear, portable radios, generators, and dry hydrants. Eligible fire departments:those that serve a single town with a population under 10,000;those that serve multiple communities, one of which is a rural town of less than 10,000 residents; andfire departments in towns with a population of 10,000 or more that meet the application requirements.The application deadline is November 15, 2023. If you intend on applying and would like a Letter of Support, please contact my office!Fiscal Year 2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)The fiscal year 2023 funding opportunities for two Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs are now posted. For this grant cycle, $800 million is available for the FMA grant program and $1 billion is available for the BRIC grant program. FEMA’s two competitive mitigation grant programs provide states, local communities, tribes, and territories funding to address high-level future risks to natural disasters such as wildfires, drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme heat, and increased flooding to foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering.Subapplications are due to NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) through FEMA GO (FEMAGO - Login) no later than December 15, 2023. If you intend on applying and would like a Letter of Support, please contact my office! Federal Newsletters, Webinars, and Guidebooks Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes. The 2023-2024 Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2023.If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home.Apply Here!EPA Region 2 Technical Assistance and Funding Resources October 2023This guide is designed to assist community organizations, local governments, universities, and other partners in navigating technical assistance and funding opportunities across Region 2.Guide in EnglishGuide in SpanishBipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) LaunchpadTo help navigate transportation grant programs and expedite applications, the BIL Launchpad provides customized information on available funding, interactive technical support, data on successful awards, and essential resources. With this platform, localities can accelerate their grant application process and access the necessary tools to enhance their transportation infrastructure. The Inflation Reduction Act 101The Inflation Reduction Act delivers unmatched investments in clean energy and emerging technologies like offshore wind, advances environmental justice, creates good-paying clean jobs, slashes pollution, and so much more. Several State and Federal Agencies have created online hubs to help all Americans understand and access clean energy tax credits and forthcoming rebates.NYSERDA: NYS Guide to Inflation Reduction Act SavingsThis guide will unpack how IRA incentives work, introduce eligible clean energy technologies, and provide tips for making the most of IRA savings for your home or business.NYS Clean Heat – Heat Pump ProgramNYS Clean Heat rebates can be combined with federal tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Now you can save even more when you make the switch to heat pumps and other clean, efficient solutions.Department of Energy Savings Hub – Energy.gov/SaveSavings for HomeownersSavings for RentersSavings for DriversIRS Tax Credit Updates and Guidance Small Business ResourcesNew York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)The NYSBDC provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York with the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost.The Albany Small Business Development Center serves small businesses in the Capital Region. Since its start in 1984, the expert advisors of the Albany SBDC have worked directly with 26,807 businesses, helping them to invest $495,947,350 in the area's economy, and create or save 14,766 jobs.You can make an appointment for counseling by calling 518-442-7232 or filling out their online form. Federal Funding Announcements This summary includes new or updated opportunities in the following areas. Please click on the topic below to view all grant announcements:Agriculture, Food and NutritionArts, Culture and HistoryBusiness, Jobs and Workforce DevelopmentChildren, Youth, Families, Older Americans and VeteransCommunity DevelopmentCrime Prevention, Justice and Public SafetyEducationEnergy, Environment and WildlifeHealthHousing and HomelessnessInfrastructure, Transportation and WaterInternational DevelopmentScience, Technology and Research This summary has been brought to you by the Office of Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20). Does one of these grants accept Congressional Letters of Support? Please contact our office to find out how Rep. Tonko can support your request. Grant deadlines and guidelines may change. Please check with the awarding agency before applying. Please feel free to share this newsletter with others who may be interested. To join or remove yourself from this mailing list, or if you have specific grant questions, please contact Natalie Lincoln at [email protected] or (518) 465-0700. image widgetimage widgetimage widgetimage widget

Federal Grant Opportunities: November 7, 2023

My office is sharing the following information on federal grant opportunities available to you.

If you are applying for a grant that accepts Congressional letters of support, or if you are seeking additional information or guidance in your application process, please contact our office. We stand ready to assist you in your application in any way we can.

Featured Funding Opportunities

Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
- This program helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting environmentally sustainable preventive care measures that mitigate deterioration, prolong the useful life of collections, reduce energy consumption, and strengthen institutions’ ability to anticipate and respond to disasters.
- The deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2024.
DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Grants
- New York was awarded $13.5 million from the Federal Urban and Community Forestry Program. This grant program is designed to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces in urban and community forests to support building a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and create economic opportunity.
- Applicants may apply for funding under two categories, Community Forest Management Plan Implementation ($10 million) and Ash Tree Management ($2.9 million). The maximum request is $500,000 per application and no match is required. All projects must take place in disadvantaged communities as identified by any of three Federal and State tools listed in the Request for Applications (RFA). The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
- DEC is holding a virtual information session on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to provide information on this limited-time funding opportunity. The information session will cover eligible applicants and projects, application requirements and scoring, and other information that will help applicants plan their projects. Register for this webinar here.
Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant (VFA) Program - Wildland Firefighting Equipment
- The VFA Program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by DEC Forest Rangers. Fire departments will receive 50/50 matching funds up to $2,500. As an example, a fire department is required to spend up to $5,000 on approved firefighting equipment to be reimbursed an equal grant amount up to $2,500.
- Only expenses directly related to wildland firefighting suppression efforts are eligible for funding. This includes portable pumps, portable backpack pumps, hand tools, fire hose, approved lightweight fire-resistant clothing, hard hats, turnout gear, portable radios, generators, and dry hydrants.
- Eligible fire departments:
  - those that serve a single town with a population under 10,000;
  - those that serve multiple communities, one of which is a rural town of less than 10,000 residents; and
  - fire departments in towns with a population of 10,000 or more that meet the application requirements.
- The application deadline is November 15, 2023. If you intend on applying and would like a Letter of Support, please contact my office!
Fiscal Year 2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
- The fiscal year 2023 funding opportunities for two Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs are now posted. For this grant cycle, $800 million is available for the FMA grant program and $1 billion is available for the BRIC grant program.
- FEMA’s two competitive mitigation grant programs provide states, local communities, tribes, and territories funding to address high-level future risks to natural disasters such as wildfires, drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme heat, and increased flooding to foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering.
- Subapplications are due to NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) through FEMA GO (FEMAGO - Login) no later than December 15, 2023. If you intend on applying and would like a Letter of Support, please contact my office!

Federal Newsletters, Webinars, and Guidebooks

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes. The 2023-2024 Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2023.
- If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home.
- Apply Here!
EPA Region 2 Technical Assistance and Funding Resources October 2023
- This guide is designed to assist community organizations, local governments, universities, and other partners in navigating technical assistance and funding opportunities across Region 2.
- Guide in English
- Guide in Spanish
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Launchpad
- To help navigate transportation grant programs and expedite applications, the BIL Launchpad provides customized information on available funding, interactive technical support, data on successful awards, and essential resources. With this platform, localities can accelerate their grant application process and access the necessary tools to enhance their transportation infrastructure.

The Inflation Reduction Act 101

The Inflation Reduction Act delivers unmatched investments in clean energy and emerging technologies like offshore wind, advances environmental justice, creates good-paying clean jobs, slashes pollution, and so much more.
Several State and Federal Agencies have created online hubs to help all Americans understand and access clean energy tax credits and forthcoming rebates.
- NYSERDA: NYS Guide to Inflation Reduction Act Savings
  - This guide will unpack how IRA incentives work, introduce eligible clean energy technologies, and provide tips for making the most of IRA savings for your home or business.
- NYS Clean Heat – Heat Pump Program
  - NYS Clean Heat rebates can be combined with federal tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Now you can save even more when you make the switch to heat pumps and other clean, efficient solutions.
- Department of Energy Savings Hub – Energy.gov/Save
  - Savings for Homeowners
  - Savings for Renters
  - Savings for Drivers
- IRS Tax Credit Updates and Guidance

Small Business Resources

New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)
- The NYSBDC provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York with the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost.
- The Albany Small Business Development Center serves small businesses in the Capital Region. Since its start in 1984, the expert advisors of the Albany SBDC have worked directly with 26,807 businesses, helping them to invest $495,947,350 in the area's economy, and create or save 14,766 jobs.
  - You can make an appointment for counseling by calling 518-442-7232 or filling out their online form.

Federal Funding Announcements

This summary includes new or updated opportunities in the following areas. Please click on the topic below to view all grant announcements:

This summary has been brought to you
by the Office of Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20).
Does one of these grants accept Congressional Letters of Support?
Please contact our office to find out how Rep. Tonko can support your request.

Grant deadlines and guidelines may change.
Please check with the awarding agency before applying.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with others who may be interested.
To join or remove yourself from this mailing list, or if you have specific grant questions, please contact Natalie Lincoln at [email protected] or (518) 465-0700.