The deadline for pre-applications to the NBRC’s Catalyst, Forest Economy, and Timber for Transit program is right around the corner. NBRC invests in state economic development priorities to support a broad range of initiatives that modernize and expand the Northern Border region’s basic infrastructure and revitalize communities to support and attract the region’s workforce.

Eligibility:

• Local Governments

• Secondary and Career Technical Centers

• Other political Subdivisions of States (regional planning commissions, authorities of the State)

• Nonprofit entities

• Indian Tribes

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking proposals for projects that market, promote, and research New York-produced fluid milk and dairy products with the goal of increasing consumer demand for and consumption of New York dairy products, with the goal of increasing the consumption of New York milk and dairy products by youth (lunches, breakfasts, and other offerings). Another goal of this grant is to increase the sale of New York milk and dairy products throughout the entire food chain.

Eligibility:

• Private businesses unaffiliated with the DPO Advisory Board
• Nonprofit entities
• Research institutions

Funding available: Total of $16,901,250 (Once a contract is fully executed, grant funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis)

Grants for Good in Lewis County is a competitive grant program of the Northern New York Community Foundation designed to support nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life for Lewis County residents.

Grants for Good in Lewis County is available to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

For more information, contact:

Kraig Everard, Director of Philanthropykraig@nnycf.org

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service is offering guaranteed loans and grant funding to agricultural producers and small rural businesses to support renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:

• Biomass
• Geothermal for electric generation or direct use
• Small and large wind generation
• Small and large solar generation

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation, and construction of energy efficiency improvements such as:

• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
• Insulation
• Lighting
• Cooling or refrigeration units
• Doors and windows
• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots
• Switching from a diesel to an electric irrigation motor
• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment

Funding available: $35,400,000 (expected awards: 1,000)

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:

• Public bodies

• Community-based non-profit corporations

• 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.

Get reimbursed for 50% of your septic system project, up to $10,000.

Contact Naturally Lewis to learn about their 2026 Funding Opportunities! 

1. Building Business Fund,

2. Business Retention Fund,

3. Community Connections Fund,

4. Launch Lewis County,

5. Small Things, Big Impacts Fund,

6. Events and Festivals Fund

7. Student Pitch Competition
8. Vacant Property Revitalization Fund

Applications for all programs are currently open, with quarterly deadlines.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets grant is intended to fund the implementation of certain farmland protection activities to maintain the economic viability of the state’s agricultural industry and its supporting land base, and to protect the environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture.

Eligibility:

• Any County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board

• Any municipality that has in place a “local farmland protection plan”

• Not-for-profit conservation organization that will assist a county or municipality to implement a county or municipal agricultural and farmland protection plan

• Any soil and water conservation district that will assist a county farmland protection plan

Funding Available: $68,000,000.00 ($6.365 million available within each of nine regions across the State)