Connecticut: Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program 2024

The Department’s Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program (UGCG) is available to distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profit organizations, and municipalities that are an environmental justice community.

Donor Name: Connecticut Department Energy and Environmental Protection

State: Connecticut

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 12/02/2024

Size of the Grant: Not Available

Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned

Details:

The program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public’s use. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.

Eligible Expenses

UGCG can fund entire projects if all expenses are compatible or compatible portions of larger projects. Examples of projects or project portions that typically get funded through UGCG are green infrastructure including rain gardens and bioswales, native plantings or gardens, community gardens and walking pathways. Eligible expenses generally cover materials, professional services, minor structures such as tool sheds, tools, and rental equipment.

Materials
- Such as lumber, soil, mulch, fencing, crushed stone dust, signage and hand tools. Funds can be used to purchase native perennial flowers, shrubs, and shade trees.
Professional Services
- Funding may be used to hire professional architects and engineers. Please note that any contract for construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, repair or demolition of any public building or any other public work by a public agency (municipality) funded in whole or in part by UGCG funds which contract is estimated to cost more than $1 million must be awarded to a DAS-prequalified bidder.
Structures
- The UGCG grant program aims to promote urban gardens and passive recreational green spaces. Grant funding may be used to purchase minor outdoor structures. Acceptable structures may include small garden sheds, picnic tables, and benches. Funds cannot be used to purchase enclosed structures such as offices, indoor classrooms, wash/pack facilities, or indoor recreation facilities. Funds cannot be used to purchase park amenities such as playscapes, splash pads, barbeques, agility courses, or sports equipment.
- Non-powered Hand Tools: Grant funding may be used to purchase hand tools only such as shovels, hoes, rakes, and irrigation materials. Funding cannot be used to purchase power tools or motorized equipment such as rototillers or motorized yard carts and wagons.
- Construction / Maintenance Equipment Rental: Grant funds may be used to rent equipment for the construction or maintenance of a project.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be a municipality or a non-profit organization registered with the Connecticut Secretary of the State;
Projects must take place within the territorial limits of a “Distressed Municipality” (CGS Sec. 32-9p), a “Targeted Investment Community” (CGS Sec. 32-70), or an Environmental Justice Community;
This is a match share reimbursement program. Applicants must have funds available or funding sources available for 50% of the anticipated total project cost;
Projects must create, enhance, or restore a public urban community garden or green space;
Applicants must clearly show how the public will access and enjoy the project. If public access is not clearly shown, the project will not be evaluated or awarded a grant;
Grant funding cannot be applied to or be used as reimbursement for commercial activities (i.e., use of property for sale of goods or productions of goods for sale that generate a profit) or for active recreation development (i.e., dog parks, turf athletic fields, washing facilities, bathrooms, indoor recreational facilities, swimming pools); and
Projects cannot take place on land that was acquired by eminent domain.