NYC Green Relief & Recovery Fund 

2022: Grassroots Support Guidelines

Purpose of Fund
The NYC Green Relief & Recovery Fund is intended to respond to the most urgent needs facing the stewardship organizations managing the City’s parks and open spaces and provide adequate funding to maintain and improve them, while spurring policy-makers to address ongoing systemic challenges that prevent adequate funding for parks overall within the City’s operating budget.

Deadline and Timeline
The application deadline is 12pm noon on Wednesday, June 1 2022. In fairness to all applicants, late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Applications will be reviewed and applicants notified of status by the end of July 2022. Projects must be completed within one year of funding receipt, with an interim report due at six months and the final report due at project completion. Funds must be spent within one year from when they are received.

Eligibility
Priority will be given to organizations with demonstrated experience working in NYC’s open spaces and annual operating budgets of up to $50,000 per year. Groups do not need to be a 501(c)(3) organization. Since 501(c)3 status is not required, applicants may utilize a fiscal sponsor. 

• Past grantees must have submitted at least an interim report prior to applying for additional funding. 
• Past grantees must have submitted the final report prior to receiving a new award.

Examples of eligible applicants include:

• Groups caring for local parks.
• Groups caring for community gardens.
• Organizations caring for open spaces (including public plazas, street trees, green streets, water bodies, NYCHA properties, etc.).

Amount and Types of Support

Grants of $500, $1,000, $2,000, $2,500, and $3,000 will be awarded to groups with annual operating budgets up to $15,000.

Grants of $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, and $12,500 will be awarded to groups with annual operating budgets of $15,000 - $50,000. 

The grant amount requested should be no more than 25% of the applicant’s operating budget.

Grant funds may be used to support spaces that are open to the public the majority of the time.

This includes funding for:

• Stewardship projects.
• Safety supplies needs (e.g., personal protective equipment, enhanced sanitation measures, etc.).
• Public programming that benefits community health and wellbeing (including physical fitness and mental health).

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Tools, equipment, and field supplies for stewardship and health and wellness programs.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Outreach materials.
• Independent consultants/instructors.
• Plants and gardening materials (mulch, compost, etc.).

We do not fund: Electioneering, lobbying, litigation, general liability insurance, fundraisers, and local travel.

Criteria

Funding decisions will be based on:

• Equity and community served: Priority will be given to open spaces located in environmental justice communities.
• Strategic alignment: The project aligns with the priorities of the grant as outlined. The proposal demonstrates a clear and timely need. Proposals that directly support open space maintenance and stewardship will be prioritized.
• Feasibility: The intended outcomes or results of the proposal are feasible considering the activities and resources.
• Budget: The project budget is reasonable considering the activities of the proposal. The grant amount requested should be no more than 25% of the applicant’s operating budget.
• Partnerships: Established relationship with NYC Parks, NYS Parks, U.S. National Park Service, NYC Economic Development Corporation, NYC Department of Transportation, NYC Department of Environmental Preservation, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Partnerships for Parks, GreenThumb, New York Restoration Project, The Hort, Brooklyn Queens Land Trust, Bronx Land Trust, Manhattan Land Trust, BANG Land Trust, or relevant agencies or land managers.

Reporting Requirements
Projects must be completed within one year of funding receipt, with an interim report due at six months, and a final report due at project completion (one year). Funds must be spent within one year from when they are received. Grant funds are to be used exclusively as outlined in the proposal.

Grants Management
City Parks Foundation (CPF) and Partnerships for Parks (PfP) manage the day-to-day administration of the NYC Green Fund, which is governed by a steering committee of funders. Grants will be made from City Parks Foundation and all reporting information will be submitted to CPF.

For more information 
For more information visit CityParksFoundation.org or email NYCGreenFund@cityparksfoundation.org