Grant Headquarters
Welcome to the latest edition of the Lewis County Planning & Community Development Grant Newsletter. Below you will find a non-exhaustive list of grant & funding updates, training opportunities, important updates, and latest grant awards and initiatives within our department.
Grant & Funding Opportunities
Last Updated: July 15, 2026
The Highlight Reel
Take a look below for a selection of relevant grant opportunities for municipalities, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and other stakeholders.
***Please note, starred grants (***) are Federal programs. A recent Executive Order (EO), “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” may impact the specific parameters of these grant programs. If you think you might apply for these opportunities, please review the EO above in detail and/or contact Grant Coordinator Grace Metzler to discuss further.
NYS EFC Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure (IMG) Grants
There is $425 million available from the EFC in this round of water infrastructure improvements grants for New York State.
Funding is available for drinking water projects, wastewater and water, and replacement of lead service lines, with attention to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities.
STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program
The US Department of Justice is offering funding to train to aid communities in their efforts to strengthen law enforcement strategies to combat violent crimes against women, through training of Officers and Prosecutors. The funding will be implemented by program type for maximum support of local programs. There will be no match requirements on applications through this program.
Total Funding Available: $7,850,000
Funding Distribution:
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30% Victim Services
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25% Law Enforcement
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25% Prosecution
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15% Discretionary
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5% State and local Courts
Who Qualifies:
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Government Entity
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Not-For-Profit
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Tribal Organization
NY Kicks
NY Kicks will provide capital grants to support the creation, expansion and enhancement of community soccer fields. The FY27 Budget also includes funding for a companion grant program to fund programming, equipment, training, and other operating costs. Eligible project costs for capital grant program include site preparation, permanent field infrastructure, utility infrastructure and paving. Applicants may include municipalities, public authorities and non-profit organizations. This program is part of the 2026 Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).
NYS DOS Smart Growth Community Planning Program
The Smart Growth Community Planning Program accelerates key statewide efforts, including climate resilience, housing availability and affordability, accessible and livable communities, waterfront development and revitalization, and accessibility and availability of childcare through new and updated Comprehensive Planning and Zoning initiatives in eligible towns, villages, and cities.
Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program
The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets will award $30 million for direct payments to eligible agricultural producers. These funds are intended to help offset rising costs and market loss for New York State farmers due to Federal tariff policy.
Farm eligibility:
- Was in business in 2025 and are currently in business
- Have active agricultural production within New York State
- Meets farm income eligibility requirements
Eligible Products:
- Cow Dairy Farms
- Livestock/ Livestock Products
- Aquaculture Farms
Award Range: $1,000- $25,000
Urban and Community Forestry Program 2026
$10 million in funding is now available through Round 17 of DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Grant Program. Of the $10 million dollars available for this round of grants, $3 million is set aside for communities with populations of 65,000 or less.
Award Range: $50,000 – $2.5 million
USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program in New York
This USDA program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Eligible borrowers include:
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Public bodies
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Community-based non-profit corporations
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Federally Recognized Tribes
Grant assistance is available based on population and median household income, ranging from 15% to 75% grant eligibility. Please review the information page for further details.
NYS Septic Replacement Program | Program Area Expanded!
Get reimbursed for 50% of your septic system project, up to $10,000.
Naturally Lewis: 2026 Funding Opportunities
Contact Naturally Lewis to learn about their 2026 Funding Opportunities!
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Building Business Fund,
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Business Retention Fund,
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Community Connections Fund,
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Launch Lewis County,
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Small Things, Big Impacts Fund,
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Events and Festivals Fund
- Student Pitch Competition
- Vacant Property Revitalization Fund
Applications for all programs are currently open, with quarterly deadlines.
Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts (FCELT)
The program will provide up to $1.35 million from the Environmental Protection Fund for grants to land trusts to protect forestland through conservation easements. The program is administered by the Land Trust Alliance in coordination with DEC.
Other Funding Opportunities
Don’t miss out – follow the links provided to learn more about the opportunities below!
Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program
- Deadline: July 26, 2026
- $148,000 will be awarded to up to 167 recipients as direct financial assistance to eligible rural hospitals facing payment disadvantages for the maintenance of health care providers.
Regenerate NY Forestry Cost Share Grant
- Deadline: August 31, 2026
- Award Range: $10,000 to $1 million for private landowners to conduct forest regeneration activities, including planting, thinning, removal of invasives, installation of tree protections against deer grazing, and creation of young forest habitat.
America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative
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Deadlines vary based on multiple programs
- Awards ranging from $20,000 – $250,000 for planning, implementation, and technical assistance projects (max $75,000 for TA) are available to enhance the food retail and post-harvest food retail supply chain across the country.
NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Program – Designation and Action Grants:
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Rolling submissions
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Award Range: $5,000-$200,000 toward eligible Climate Actions
Orton Family Foundation Community Heart & Soul Grant
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Rolling submissions
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$10,000 toward Community Heart & Soul projects in small communities
Round 20 Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) Program – Agricultural Conservation Easement Projects
- Deadline: Rolling
- up to $3,000,000 to assist locally-led efforts in developing agricultural and farmland protection plans and in the implementation of such plans.
***US Department of Energy’s ‘American Made’ Challenge Program
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Deadlines vary
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Awards: vary based on open challenges aimed to transform innovative ideas into real energy solutions through prizes, collegiate competitions, vouchers, and collaborations with experts
Grants For Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Household Hazardous Waste Programs
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Multiple programs with varying deadlines
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50% reimbursement of project costs for municipalities, eligible nonprofits, public benefit corporations, and school districts
Development Authority of the North County – Cornell Cooperative Extension Value-Added Agriculture Revolving Loan Program
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Deadline: Rolling
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Up to $40,000 in loan funding for Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties agribusiness producers of value-added products for retail consumption. Agribusinesses are a significant and growing segment of our regional economy. The first-round targets maple producers.
Development Authority of the North Country Farmland Drainage Program Revolving Loan Fund
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Deadline: Rolling
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Up to $20,000, with 50% of the total low-interest loan amount in cash equity required. This program offers low-interest loans to the farming community to increase crop production yields through farmland drainage.
POWER UP (NYS Empire State Development)
- Deadline: Rolling
- $100 million in total funding available to eligible applicants for projects which will enhance New York State’s inventory of turn-key industrial sites to attract investment from next-generation manufacturers.
Training Opportunities & Resources
Events are hosted on the fourth Thursday of each month. Please note that you must register for each session individually!
MRB Group and Hancock Estabrook are offering a free annual training program to assist local governments, municipal officials, and planning and zoning boards.
SESSION #7: Growing Intentionally – The Role of Local Leadership in Attracting Investment and Economic Development
July 23, 2026 | 6pm-7pm
SESSION #8: A Storm is Brewing – How Development Review Addresses Stormwater Management and Water Quality September 24, 2026 | 6pm-7pm
SESSION #9: Funding Your Priorities – Developing and Managing Competitive Grant Applications October 22, 2026 | 6pm-7pm
SESSION #10: Santa’s Naughty and Nice List – The Best and Worst of 2026 December 17, 2026 | 6pm-7pm
Click below for the detailed list of training opportunities!
The Non-profit Bootcamp seeks to provide insights into common challenges and resources for both young and established non-profit entities, provided by a range of local experts on board management, laws and regulations, community engagement, and more.
Presented by Lewis County in partnership with the NYS Tug Hill Commission and the Northern New York Community Foundation, you may access the recordings from this event series online.
Session 1: Getting Started and Growing
Session 2: Financial Oversight
Session 3: Board Development
Session 4: Effective Meetings
Session 5: Board Culture and Strategic Planning
Session 6: Navigating SFS
Lewis County has been awarded $499,668 through the NYS DOS County-Wide Shared Services Initiative Project Implementation (CWSSIPI) funds, received in January 2023. These funds will significantly enhance our local government operations with two key initiatives:
1. Digital Codification of Municipal Laws
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Purpose: Improve accessibility, transparency, and efficiency in legal matters.
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Contractor: General Code
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Benefits:
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Clear, accessible online municipal codes
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Editorial and legal analysis to streamline existing codes
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Hosted on the innovative eCode360 platform
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Customized print copies of the new code
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Examples of Municipalities already using the eCode360 Platform:
2. Website and Secure Email Setup for Local Officials
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Purpose: Enhance communication and operational efficiency.
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Contractor: Coughlin Printing via the Civally platform
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Benefits:
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Tailored websites for each municipality
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Secure ‘.gov’ email addresses
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Features: Notice posting, event updates, meeting minutes, and more
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Mobile-friendly, accessible, and secure
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Examples of local municipality using the Civally platform:
This initiative will empower our communities with modern tools for better governance and citizen engagement. For more details or next steps, contact our office!
Join the North Country Regional Economic Development Council for monthly Lunch and Learn Opportunities, held virtually on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from 1:00-2:00 pm.
- August 25, 2026 – Lending and Financial Resources
- October 27,2026 – Workforce Development
Please click below for more detail and to register for sessions.
Check out these Grant Opportunities from our local foundations and community partners!
Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity
This program is administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation, and offers support for bullying prevention and character education programs, as well as professional development for administrators, teachers, staff, and employees of school districts across the region.
Up to $2,500 per applicant.
Contact Assistant Director Max DelSignore for more information at max@nnycf.org.
Northern New York Community Foundation – Region-Specific Legacy Grant Programs
While the grant period for 2024 is closed, the following legacy grant programs are administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation on an annual basis in Lewis County.
Kenneth V. and Jeannette Remp Sawyer Community Fund
Communities served: Boonville, Constableville and Westernville
Purpose: Support for programs, projects and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages.
Funding available: Up to $60,000
George R. Davis Fund for Lowville
Communities served: Village and Town of Lowville
Purpose: Support for programs, projects and initiatives that impact the quality of life for residents of the Village and Town of Lowville.
Funding available: Up to $15,000
Contact Assistant Director Max DelSignore for more information at max@nnycf.org.
Pratt Northam Foundation Community Grant
Pratt Northam Foundation seeks to fund projects which will benefit the Black River Valley area by providing financial support to not-for-profit organizations fulfilling community needs which neither government nor private enterprise could reasonably accomplish. Such needs, the directors have maintained, may be cultural, educational, or civic.
Criteria used for the evaluation and potential approval of grant applications are:
- Projects and opportunities for young people, and also considers other innovative initiatives.
- Initiatives that have broad community support and can demonstrate substantial matching funds.
Pratt Northam Foundation Workership Grant Program
The Pratt Northam Workership Program provides 350 hours of summer employment at minimum wage for students accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate academic program at a two-year or four-year college for the following Fall semester.
Not-for-profit and government programs delivering services in the area between Boonville and Carthage are urged to apply to sponsor a Workership position(s). Sites are selected based upon the following criteria:
- Workership position provides programming directly to youth.
- Workership position indirectly supports programming for youth.
- Workership position provides a quality work experience helping a college student build skills and credentials towards a career path.
- Workership position relates to the student’s field of study. The student receives internship or academic credit for the summer work.
For more information on becoming a Workership site in 2025, contact the Foundation at prattnortham@gmail.com.
Completed Project Spotlight
Bonaparte Pharmacy
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Canal Basin Park
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Constableville Recreational Center
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Cedar Bridge Properties, Double Play Batting Cages and Homes Realty Display
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Chuck's Market
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Croghan Free Library
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Project, Round 2
Crumbs. Bakeshop
Facade and Streetscapes Improvement Program, Round 2
Good Ol' Wishy's
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Krista Brown Photography
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
National Abstract
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Old Key Bank
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Shut the Front Door, LLC - Rental Property
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Town of Diana Historical Museum
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Tug Hill Artisan Roasters
New York Main Street and Restore New York Funding
This is an ongoing project, with more improvements still to come!
West Leyden Pocket Park
Facade and Streetscapes Improvement Program, Round 2