Grants and Funding Opportunities

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Following are known grants and funding opportunities for municipalities served by Nashua Regional Planning Commission. NRPC can assist our member communities with applying for and administering potential grants to implement their distinct goals.

We welcome input!
Send suggestions for additions/deletions to the list to Kathy Kirby. Please note this page is not all-inclusive and is new as of February 2023 and still being populated.

National Endowment for the Humanities 


The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is making grants of up to $10,000 to help small and mid-sized institutions improve their ability to preserve and care for their humanities collections. Eligible applicants can include municipalities, schools, libraries, historic societies and other nonprofit organizations. The program encourages applications from small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant. 
For more information, visit: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/351936


AARP Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. In 2024, the AARP Community Challenge will be accepting applications for three different grant opportunities, each described below in the "Grant Opportunities" section.  Please read this entire page — especially the materials in the "Preparing the Application" section on the right side of the page — to learn about the different grant opportunities and how to apply.  Application deadline is Wednesday, March 6.


Community Facilities Program Disaster Repair Grants
in Vermont and New Hampshire

This program provides grants to repair essential community facilities in rural areas that were damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters in Calendar Year 2022. 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.  Funds are available until the funds are exhausted (beginning July 2023 & still available as of January 2024).  For more information, please visit Community Facilities Program Disaster Repair Grants in Vermont and New Hampshire | Rural Development (usda.gov)
 

Grants.gov
There are several federal grant opportunities available to municipalities for various purposes.  To search the latest funding opportunities, click on Search Available Grants at Grants.gov.  The search options menu on the left side of the screen allows for many search options including, Funding Instrument, Eligibility, and Category.  


FTA Grants

The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) provides grant funding for transit-related services including transportation services for elderly and disabled populations through various programs.   There are six (6) programs for transportation-related grant funding:

1. Statewide Transportation Planning & Research (FTA Program 5305e)

2. Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Capital - Vehicle & Equipment program (FTA Program 5310) - DUE 2/14/24 (* see more specific information below)

3. Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) Program Funding For Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (FTA Program 5310)

**For invoice templates, please contact NHDOT

4. Rural (Non-Urbanized) Transit (FTA Program 5311)

5. Intercity Bus (FTA Program 5311f)

  • Next solicitation: TBD
  • Last Solicitation: August 8, 2022 -- An RFP was posted on the State of NH's Statewide Bids & Proposals page:
  • NH Statewide Bids & Proposals
  • The RFP closed on 9/23/22

6. Bus & Bus Facilities (FTA Program 5339)

There are three (3) additional programs which provide grant information directly to eligible recipients.  Please contact NHDOT for details (see below).  
1. Discretionary Grants (FTA Program 5339)
2. Bus Program (FTA Program 5339b)
3. Low or No Emission (FTA Program 5339c)

For more information on the grants available in the FTA programs listed above, please visit: NHDOT/Project Plans & Programs/Programs/FTA Grants
For any questions regarding the grant programs listed above and available funding therein, please contact:
Fred Butler, Public Transportation Administrator
NHDOT
7 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301
Email: Frederick.J.Butler@dot.nh.gov
Phone: (603) 271-2565

 






*State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024 FTA Section 5310
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities capital program

Program details can be found at  https://www.dot.nh.gov/projects-plans-and-programs/programs/fta-grants
There are a few important notes:
(1) all requests will require an RCC letter of support.
(2) ANY AGENCIES APPLYING FOR VEHICLES are asked to contact  Frederick.J.Butler@dot.nh.gov at any time prior to the application deadline if unfamiliar with the vehicles & vehicle options. Only certain configurations are generally available, with options selected based on NHDOT-approved specifications.
(3) Replacement vehicles should be consistent with those programmed for replacement in NHDOT’s Transit Asset Management plan. Contact  Frederick.J.Butler@dot.nh.gov for details.
(4) Please use the following estimated costs for vehicles, though actual costs may vary. Contact Fred Butler (email below) should other vehicles be desired:
Cutaways: 8 Passenger: $125,000, 12 Passenger: $130,000, 16 Passenger: $135,000
Ford Transits: 350 (8 pax, 2 w/c, single rear wheel): $90,000;  350EL (9 pax, 3 w/c, dual rear wheel): $100,000
All-wheel-drive ADA-accessible minivans: Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica are known options: $90,000
Applications must be submitted by 3:00 PM on February 14, 2024. Submission will be electronic via email to Frederick.J.Butler@dot.nh.gov.


Additional Resources

NH Municipal Association: Federal Funding and Resources
nhma logoNH Municipal Association maintains this webpage - it contains a wealth of information about current opportunities, resources to assist with finding grant programs, and more.

NH Dept. of Environmental Services Loans and Grants
nhdes logoNH Dept. of Environmental Services administers several loan and grant programs. NHDES programs also assist groups in obtaining funding for projects from myriad sources.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

cdfa logoCDFA administers the State of New Hampshire’s annual federal allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds for eligible municipalities. The primary objective of the program is the development of viable communities by improving economic opportunities and meeting community revitalization needs, particularly for persons of low and moderate income.

CDFA directly awards Community Development Block Grant resources to New Hampshire’s cities, towns, and counties, which often sub-grant the money to a nonprofit agency or other entity conducting the work. Funding for the Community Development Block Grant program is provided to New Hampshire through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.


NH Moose Plate Grants
moose plateThe NH Conservation License Plate (Moose Plate) Program supports the protection of critical resources in New Hampshire, including scenic lands, historic sites and artifacts, plants and wildlife. Grants are available to municipalities and NH Conservation organizations. To learn how to get a grant for your organization and/or project, please contact one of the following agencies:

  • NH State Conservation Committee (NH SCC) - The NH SCC distributes competitive Moose Plate grants to counties, municipal and nongovernmental entities, schools and nonprofits that support the conservation of NH’s natural resources. View NH SCC Grants
  • The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) - LCHIP provides matching grants (from a different source) to help municipalities and nonprofits protect the state’s most important natural, historical and cultural resources. Funds from the Moose Plate program support LCHIP’s administrative costs. View LCHIP Grants
  • NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources - Providing grants for conservation and preservation of publicly owned historic properties, works of art, artifacts and documents that contribute to NH’s cultural heritage. Restoring historic sites and buildings in NH State Parks. Protecting our state’s biodiversity by researching rare native plants and exemplary natural communities. View NH DNCR Grants