New York Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program

Across New York State, there are over one thousand community growing spaces in both rural and urban landscapes, and there is demand to establish more and expand existing sites. Most community growing spaces are in underserved communities and often, the mission to grow one’s own plot is to feed themselves. There is little capital to help maintain these plots. Similarly, coordinators of these spaces are often not-for-profits with limited support to expand and sustain capacity, develop infrastructure and secure reliable tenancy to the land. This grant program was established as a strategy to improve food security by making resources available to ensure the viability and sustainability of these community growing spaces.

• Not-for-profit organizations

• Not-for-profit Educational Institutions, including K-12 schools and universities

• Municipal Government Entities

• Community-led groups can work with a fiscal sponsor to apply

• Indian tribal organizations

Grant with a real floor and ceiling, and no match. From the RFA cover sheet: "$2,500,000 Total Available / Individual Awards of $25,000 - $50,000 / Funding Match Required: None." In the body: "A total of $2,500,000 is available for this grant program. A maximum of $50,000 is available per award. The minimum grant amount is $25,000," and "The Urban Farms & Community Gardens Grant Program does not require a match."

Cash flow is the thing to plan for: "grant funds will be disbursed by reimbursement only. Awardees may request, at the discretion of the Department, an initial payment of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total grant award. The Department shall retain ten percent (10%) of the budget amount to be disbursed to the contractor until such time as the final report is accepted." So you front most of the money, and the last 10% only lands after your final report clears.

Eligible costs are unusually broad for a capital-flavored program: "Funds may be used to fund worker wages, contractual expenses, equipment, and other operating expenses," with a narrative justification required for each budget category. Costs incurred outside the awarded grant term are not eligible.

Term: "Projects must be completed within the January 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 project term." Round 3 applications were due September 5, 2025 at 4:00 pm, via SFS.

Applications must be submitted through the New York State Grants Gateway. Use the Grant Opportunity ID is AGM01- UFC23-2023 and follow the instructions to register and apply.

• Request For Proposals

• Information Session 11/18/22

• Q&As on 11/22/22 and 12/20/22