Funding Opportunities for Organics Management

Grant recipients receive written notification of their award, which begins the process of entering into a contract. Grants awarded are administered via the Statewide Financial System (SFS). All grant recipients should visit the NYS Grants Management Applicant Resources webpage and become familiar with SFS Handbook. Note: reimbursements requests will only be accepted once a contract is executed. 

The following steps are necessary to complete the contract process in SFS:

1. DEC will notify grant recipients that they have been selected to receive a grant. This serves as a pre-award notification. The procurement record for the grant opportunity must be approved by the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) before an official award letter is sent.
2. Once the procurement record has been approved, DEC will send an official notification, and the contracting process can begin.
3. DEC develops the contract shell.
4. The grant recipient makes any required workplan and budget changes and uploads supporting documents in SFS
5. DEC program and fiscal staff review the workplan, budget, and supporting documents in SFS
6. The grant recipient electronically signs the contract.
7. DEC (and if applicable, the Office of the Attorney General and Office of the State Comptroller) electronically signs the contract.
8. The contract is executed.

Project costs eligible for reimbursement and project match must be incurred between the contract (Master Contract for Grants) term start and end dates. Costs incurred prior to the MCG term start date or after the MCG term end date will not be considered eligible for grant reimbursement or match. Copies of supporting cost documentation (paid invoices, receipts, cancelled checks, etc.) must be audited and approved by the DEC for costs to be eligible for grant reimbursement. In addition to the supporting cost documentation, you must fill out and submit a completed Match Worksheet and State Aid Voucher. 

Please email quarterly reimbursement requests to [email protected] with the following subject line “[Contract Number] Reimbursement Request”. 

Reimbursement request forms:

• State Aid Voucher (fillable) (PDF, 41 KB)
• State Aid Voucher Completion Guide (PDF, 337 KB)
• Match Worksheet Completion Guide (PDF, 281 KB)
• Match Worksheet (Excel, 21 KB)
• Match Calculation Guide (PDF, 300 KB)

• Quarterly Narrative Reports must be submitted no later than 30 days from the end of the calendar quarter (provided in the Quarterly Report guide). The reports will summarize how the project progressed toward meeting project objectives and deliverables during the respective quarter.
• The Final Report must be submitted no later than 60 days after the end of the contract period or after the final reimbursement request. The Final Report should report on all aspects of the program and detail how the use of grant funds was utilized in achieving the goals set forth the Work Plan defined in the awarded contract. Copies of appropriate documents (i.e., inventory and/or management plan) must be submitted and approved by the DEC.

Quarterly and Final Reporting Guide (PDF, 809 KB)

Reports shall be submitted to [email protected]

The goal of this funding program is to assist 501(c)(3) not-for-profits that provide emergency food relief in New York State.  This funding opportunity provided $2,007,696.79 to 44 organizations across New York State. 

2022 Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment Grant Program Awardees and Descriptions (PDF, 236 KB) 

The goal of this funding program is to assist municipalities in starting or expanding municipal food scraps recycling programs. To ensure equitable access and development of food scraps recycling opportunities for all New Yorkers, this year's opportunity will prioritize the first half of available funds for eligible projects serving Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged communities.  This funding opportunity provided $2,856,783.27 to 23 municipalities. 

2022 DEC Municipal Funding for Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives Awardees (PDF, 260 KB)

The goal of this funding program was to assist food pantries and other local emergency food assistance providers to increase the amount of wholesome food available to those in need in New York State. This funding opportunity provided $1,097,306.25 to 83 organizations. 

2018 Emergency Food Assistance Providers Grant Awardees and Project Descriptions (PDF, 267 KB) 

The goal of this funding program was to assist municipalities in creating and expanding programs to reduce wasted food, donate wholesome food and recycle food scraps (composting, anaerobic digestion, etc.) This funding opportunity provided $3,283,989.63 to 27 municipalities. 

Municipal Food Scraps Reduction, Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Awardees and Project Descriptions (PDF, 316 KB)

The MWRR program is a state assistance program for waste reduction, recycling and household hazardous waste (HHW). Funding is provided on a 50% reimbursement rate for eligible costs. Organics management projects are eligible under this state assistance program. 

• Grants for Recycling Coordination and Education Projects: Awarded on an annual basis. Applications are accepted August, September and October of each year.
• Grants for Recycling Capital Projects (equipment and facilities): Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program provides 50/50 matching grants to cities, towns, villages and counties of New York State for eligible climate adaption and mitigation projects. 

This funding opportunity is currently closed. This is an annual funding program.

The Community Impacts Grant program provides funding for 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations. Organizations with other types of tax-exempt status, such as 501(c)(4), are not eligible to apply for an EJ grant without a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Eligible projects must address a community's exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks and include a research component that will be used to expand the knowledge of the affected community. One primary project type under the Community Impact Grants Program is addressing organic waste impacts. 

This funding opportunity is currently closed. This is an annual funding program. 

Funding available for community organizations, municipal departments, and other public sector and not-for-profit entities for projects that raise awareness and understanding of pollution prevention practices and lead to implementation at the local level. Learn more.

Note: This funding opportunity is currently accepting applications until April 24, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT. This is an annual funding program.

Funding available for all public and private, K-12 schools in New York State to increase awareness or minimize waste through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and/or composting and outreach. Learn more about NYSAR3 Green School Grant Program. 

Note: This funding opportunity is currently accepting applications until May 15, 2026. This is an annual funding program.