Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) is sending his “March Grant Action News Update” to residents, organizations and local governments regarding a series of grants available from the state, federal government and private entities. Each month, the Assembly provides an updated list of grants for a variety of categories.

“During a time of economic recovery, grants can play an integral part in helping our local communities complete needed infrastructure repairs or support underfunded projects,” said Palmesano. “Many people don’t realize the scope of available opportunities because they aren’t sure where to look. The ‘Grants Action News’ bulletin makes finding these grants much easier by consolidating the information and making it available to everyone. I hope residents, organizations and local governments throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions will be able to use this resource to find much-needed support to strengthen communities in our rural area.”

All not-for-profit applicants must now pre-qualify on the New York State Grants Management website at grantsreform.ny.gov/grantees in order to apply for certain New York state grant solicitations. Potential not-for-profit applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process of registering and prequalifying immediately, as this is a lengthy process.

The Grant Action News bulletin is updated at the beginning of each month with newly available grants and information on how to apply.

The update can be accessed here: https://nyassembly.gov/gan/?sec=story&story=117054.

State Grants:

NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), Ukraine Refugee Health Program Funding

This funding will support the promotion of health literacy, coordination of mental health services and facilitation of wellness group activities for Ukrainian arrivals. Many Ukrainians are arriving in the U.S. with immediate and long-term mental health needs. It is critical to ensure Ukrainian arrivals are supported and understand how to access and receive culturally informed, individualized, quality mental health care and support services.

■ Deadline: March 19, 2026, 2 p.m.

■ Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit entities

■ Total Funding Available: $2 million

■ Contact: Jerry Witkop

■ Email: OMHLocalProcurement@omh.ny.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/

♦ https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2026/urhp/index.html

♦ https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2026/urhp/rfp_ukraine_refugee_health_program_final.pdf

NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS), Victim Assistance Grants

These grants support local community-based organizations and public agencies that provide services directly to victims. Direct assistance to crime victims includes crisis counseling, telephone and onsite information and referrals, criminal justice support and advocacy, shelter, therapy and additional assistance. Funds may be used to support existing programs, expand existing programs or develop new programs that address emerging needs, gaps in services and training of victim service advocates.

■ Deadline: March 23, 2026, 5 p.m.

■ Eligible Applicants: Governmental entities, not-for-profit entities, tribal organizations

■ Total Funding Available: $253 million

■ Contact: Kathleen Joslin

■ Email: ovsgrantsrfa@ovs.ny.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://ovs.ny.gov/2026-voca-rfa

♦ https://ovs.ny.gov/26RFA

NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance (OTDA), Nutrition Navigators Direct Services

This funding secures the services of eligible organizations to develop and implement innovative ways to connect potentially eligible individuals with SNAP benefits in areas of the state that are underserved.

■ Deadline: April 3, 2026, 2 p.m.

■ Eligible Applicants: Governmental entities, not-for-profit entities, tribal organizations

■ Total Funding Available: $250 million

■ Contact: Erin Putnam

■ Email: erin.putnam@otda.ny.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://otda.ny.gov/contracts/2026/NNDS/

♦ https://otda.ny.gov/contracts/2026/NNDS/26-NNDS-RFP.pdf

NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Open Space Conservation Grants

These grants support land conservation to:

♦ protect air and water quality

♦ provide habitat connectivity

♦ preserve diverse ecosystems

♦ mitigate the impacts of climate change

♦ provide equitable access to open space and recreational opportunities

♦ promote resilient communities

■ Deadline: April 15, 2026, 3 p.m.

■ Eligible Applicants: Governmental entities, not-for-profit entities, tribal organizations

■ Total Funding Available: $25.2 million

■ Email: dlfgrants@dec.ny.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://dec.ny.gov/nature/open-space/open-space-conservation-grant

♦ https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/ospgprfa.pdf

♦ https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2026/1/dec-extends-deadline-for-open-space-conservation-grantapplications

♦ https://dec.ny.gov/nature/open-space/open-space-conservation-plan

NYS Agriculture & Markets, Ag & Food Systems Workforce Development Grants

These grants support the development of a skilled workforce ready for industry jobs in the agricultural and food sectors in New York state.

■ Deadline: April 28, 2026, 3 p.m.

■ Eligible Applicants: Governmental entities, not-for-profit entities, tribal organizations

■ Total Funding Available: $3 million

■ Expected Number of Awards: 5

■ Contact: Kathryn Davis

■ Email: Kathryn.Davis@agriculture.ny.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0328-new-york-state-agriculture-and-food-systems-workforce-development-grantprogram

♦ https://agriculture.ny.gov/request-proposals-rfp-0328-agriculture-and-food-systems-workforce-developmentgrant-program

Federal Grants:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grants

These grants are intended to support activities that will reduce indoor exposure to pollutants in wildfire smoke and, in turn, reduce the public health burden of wildfire smoke exposure. The EPA is soliciting applications for projects that support smoke readiness planning, outreach and training for smoke readiness, indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring, deployment of portable air cleaners, identification and preparation of cleaner air spaces or shelters, significant improvements to buildings such as upgrading and repairing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units or systems and weatherization. Activities may include research, demonstrations, technical assistance, training, education and/or outreach components. Applications must focus on assisting public buildings or buildings that serve the public.

■ Deadline: April 15, 2026

■ Eligible Applicants: Others, see Section 2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility information in the third link below

■ Program Funding: $13.58 million

■ Expected Number of Awards: 11

■ Maximum Award: $2.5 million

■ Contact: Stephanie Badger

■ Email: WildfireSmokeGrants@epa.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/59135aaf-428f-4e67-a341-4e3102297503

♦ https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361217

♦ https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/59135aaf-428f-4e67-a341-4e3102297503/attachments/0d71b46e-3a4f-4550-9dbb-fa578e6d0daf/EPA-OAR-ORIA-25-03_-_Final.pdf

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP)

Veterinarians play significant roles in assuring the health of animals for food and fiber, food safety and security, public health and producer profitability, especially in rural areas of the U.S. where most livestock production occurs. VSGP, Assistance Listing 10.336 and its companion Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Services Act (NVMSA), were established to address concerns that long-term uneven distributions in the veterinary workforce have left some rural communities with insufficient access to food/large animal veterinary services. The objectives of the VSGP are to develop, implement and sustain food animal veterinary services and relieve veterinarian shortage situations in the U.S., which includes Insular Areas (see Appendix III of this NOFO for a definition of “Insular Area”), and to provide education, extension and training programs for the food animal veterinary workforce.

■ Deadline: April 16, 2026

■ Eligible Applicants: See additional information in the links below

■ Program Funding: Approximately $3.8 million

■ Maximum Award: $300,000

■ Minimum Award: $75,000

■ Email: grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/81a37c55-41d5-4716-b1ba-3c489e33db17

♦ https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361158

♦ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program

Private Grants:

Breva, Thrive Grants

Every quarter, Breva awards a $5,000 grant to an entrepreneur who is having a positive impact in an underrepresented community.

■ Deadlines: April 30, July 31 and October 31

■ Program Eligibility:

♦ business must have a demonstrated impact on its community, such as creating new jobs, innovating new

products or making products and services more accessible

♦ businesses need to be operating for at least one year

♦ the business must be generating revenue prior to your application for a grant

♦ businesses should be directly impacting high need ZIP codes or LMI census tracts

♦ the business must be formed under U.S. law and operating within the U.S.

■ Award Amount: $5,000

■ Expected Number of Awards: one award per quarter

■ Email: contact@breva.ai

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.breva.ai/thrive-grant

♦ https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6756917917447dc2b90712be/6884d6de5fd324a7ac254e34_

BREVA%E2%84%A2%20Thrive%20Grant%20Rules.pdf

Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Climate Change and Human Health Seeds Grants (CCHH) Grants

Small grants to promote the growth of new connections between scholars, practitioners, educators and/or communicators working to understand, spread the word about and mitigate the impacts of climate change on human health.

■ Deadline: Rolling, through July 23, 2026

■ Eligible Applicants: Faculty, institutions, K-12 education, postdoctoral fellows, teachers

■ Award Amount: Up to $50,000

■ Expected Number of Awards: Varies

■ Contact: Darcy Lewandowski

■ Email: dlewandowski@bwfund.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.bwfund.org/

♦ https://www.bwfund.org/grants/climate-change-and-human-health/climate-change-and-human-health-seedgrants/

♦ https://www.bwfund.org/grants/climate-change-and-human-health/climate-change-and-human-health-seedgrants/#applicant-resources

♦ https://www.bwfund.org/grants/climate-change-and-human-health/climate-change-and-human-health-seedgrants/#faq

Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Grants

These grants are dedicated to supporting veterans and advancing the arts, education and innovative initiatives that enrich lives through nature and the sciences.

■ Deadline: Rolling, February-Oct. 2026

■ Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations whose programs and initiatives help to further our foundation’s mission and whose services benefit individuals and organizations identified within our priority funding areas

■ Award Amount: Up to $25,000

■ Expected Number of Awards: Varies

■ Email: info@ctbfoundation.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.ctbfoundation.org/

♦ https://www.ctbfoundation.org/ctbfoundationfaqs

Pollok-Krasner Foundation, Grants for Exceptional Visual Artists

Grants will help support professional visual artists who are painters, sculptors and/or artists who work on paper, including printmakers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis: there are no deadlines. Grants are intended for a one-year period of time and the foundation will review expenditures relating to an artist’s professional work and personal expenses. The grants can be used in any way that allows an artist to meaningfully pursue their practice. Grants are typically used to create new work, acquire supplies, rent studio space, prepare for exhibitions, attend a residency and offset living expenses.

■ Deadline: Rolling

■ Eligible Applicants: professional visual artists who are painters, sculptors and/or artists who work on paper, including printmakers

■ Award Amount: Up to $50,000

■ Expected Number of Awards: Varies

■ Email: grants@pkf.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.pkf.org/grants/grant-for-artists/

♦ https://www.pkf.org/apply/grant-guidelines/

♦ https://www.pkf.org/apply/how-to-apply/#faqs

Scholar Awards:

Microsoft Disability Scholarship Program

These scholarships assist current high school seniors who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs and pursue various eligible areas of study.

■ Deadline: March 16, 2026, 4 p.m.

■ Eligible Applicants Must:

♦ be a high school senior

♦ plan to enroll full-time or half-time in undergraduate study at an accredited two or four-year college/university or vocational-technical school in the U.S. for the entire upcoming academic year

♦ pursue a degree in the following eligible majors: engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or related fields – paralegal, pre-law, finance, business administration, or marketing

♦ demonstrate a passion for technology

♦ demonstrate leadership at school and/or in the community

♦ require financial assistance to attend college

♦ have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 grading scale or equivalent

■ Scholarship Value: $5,000

■ Number of Awards: Up to 11

■ Email: microsoft-disability@scholarshipamerica.org

■ Link to Additional Information:

♦ https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/microsoft-disability/

Davis-Putter Scholarships

These scholarships help provide financial support for students who are active and emerging organizers in progressive movements for liberation, self-determination and social and economic justice in their communities. These need-based scholarships are awarded to students who are enrolled at a college or university or in a trade or technical program.

■ Deadline: April 1, 2026

■ Eligible Applicants Must:

♦ be involved in movements for progressive social change

♦ be enrolled in a degree, trade or training program

♦ have financial need

■ Scholarship Value: Up to $15,000

■ Number of Awards: Varies

■ Email: davisputter@davisputter.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.davisputter.org/

♦ https://www.davisputter.org/apply

♦ https://www.davisputter.org/application-faqs

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Sports Clips Help a Hero Scholarships

These scholarships provide service members and veterans with the financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt.

■ Deadline: April 30, 2026

■ Eligible Applicants Must:

♦ be a citizen of the U.S.

♦ be retired, honorably discharged, active duty or a member of the National Guard or Reserve

♦ have completed basic training and follow-on training (advanced individual training, technical school, etc.)

♦ separated with or currently hold a military rank of E-5 or below

♦ demonstrate a need for financial assistance

♦ participate in, be accepted to or currently enrolled in a VA-approved program or school at an accredited postsecondary institution

institution

■ Scholarship Value: $5,000

■ Number of Awards: Varies

■ Email: HelpAHero@vfw.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.vfw.org/assistance/student-veterans-support

♦ https://webportalapp.com/sp/help_a_hero

♦ https://vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Assistance/HelpAHeroScholarshipFAQ.pdf?la=en&v=1&d=20181204T182026Z

Legal Defense Fund, Earl Warren Law School Scholarships

This program awards scholarships to law school students committed to racial justice.

■ Deadline: May 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

■ Eligible Applicants Must:

♦ be a U.S. Citizen

♦ be a college graduate; undergraduate enrolled in the final year of college/university; or first-year law student

♦ have a record of strong academic performance

♦ have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to racial justice and civil rights

♦ have demonstrated financial need

♦ Scholarship Application Checklist:

♦ completed scholarship application

♦ copy of law school acceptance letter

♦ two letters of recommendation

♦ resume

♦ copy of transcript from current college/university

♦ essay

♦ personal statement

♦ copy of LSAT or GRE score

♦ copy of student aid report (FAFSA); the adjusted gross family/independent income line of the FAFSA form must be completed with a dollar amount OR applicants must include a tax return (parent/guardian income tax return for families/applicants tax return if filed as independent)

■ Scholarship Value: $15,000 a year, over three years

■ Expected Number of Awards: 10

■ Contact: Eve Anderson

■ Email: eanderson@naacpldf.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.naacpldf.org/about-us/scholarships/earl-warren-scholarship/