Community-Led Green Infrastructure

Issued by: New Orleans Community Support Foundation (NOCSF), a supporting organization of the Greater New Orleans Foundation
Available Subaward Funding: $50,000 – $150,000
Application Deadline: October 24, 2025
Contact: alyssa@gnof.org  

Application and RFA available in Spanish and Vietnamese on request.

I. Overview

The New Orleans Community Support Foundation (NOCSF) invites applications from eligible nonprofit and community-based organizations for grants under the Community-Led Green Infrastructure initiative. This initiative, supported by federal funding, aims to advance environmental well-being and community resilience through the development, implementation, and evaluation of community-led green infrastructure projects focused on flood mitigation, community resilience, and water quality improvement in vulnerable and underserved communities in the Greater New Orleans region. There will be two rounds of grants under this program, with applications for the second round opening in fall of 2026.

II. Program Goals and Objectives

This initiative will:  

1. Increase the resiliency of Southeast Louisiana communities through green stormwater infrastructure projects that are developed, implemented, and evaluated by members of the communities that the projects serve. At least 12 projects or project phases (planning, construction, evaluation) will be supported by the initiative with a focus on creating community-led green infrastructure in the most vulnerable and underserved communities. 
2. Increase the number of individuals with improved understanding of environmental issues in their community through their involvement in the development, implementation, and evaluation of community-led green infrastructure projects; and  
3. Ensure that grantee partners have improved their abilities to identify, successfully apply for, and effectively manage grants related to green infrastructure and water quality improvement in underserved communities that are adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental and human health harms or risks.  

III. Geographic Focus 

Projects must be located in one or more of the following parishes in the Greater New Orleans region:
Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, Tangipahoa, or Washington.

IV. Available Grants

The one-year grant period will begin in January of 2026. Applicants may apply under one of three project stages: 

Stage 1: Community-Led Design & Planning 

• Award Amount: $50,000 

• Purpose: Support for planning, community engagement, feasibility assessments, and conceptual designs for community-led green infrastructure projects. Design and planning awards are only available for Round 1.  

• Number of Awards: 6 

Stage 2: Community-Owned Implementation 

• Award Amount: $150,000 

• Purpose: Support the implementation of community-led green infrastructure projects addressing stormwater, resilience, and pollution issues. 

• Number of Awards: 1-3 

Stage 3: Community Evaluation & Storytelling 

• Award Amount: $62,500 

• Purpose: Support community-led evaluation, storytelling, and communication efforts that capture lessons learned and impact of existing community-led green infrastructure projects. 

• Number of Awards: 1-3 

Applicants may only apply for one grant per round. The Round 2 Request for Applications is expected to be open in fall of 2026. Round 1 total funding available is up to $1 million, and a total of $1.75 million will be distributed over both rounds.

V. Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must: 

• Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a defined community mission or a project fiscally sponsored by a a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ; 

• Be located in, or demonstrate a strong track record of working with, vulnerable or underserved communities in the region; 

• Demonstrate experience with green infrastructure and community collaboration; 

• Ensure capacity to participate in technical assistance, the Community of Practice, and program evaluation activities; 

• Have a Unique Entity Identifier and registration with SAM.gov  If you do not have a Unique Entity Identifier, preaward technical assistance will be available to help you obtain one.  

• Have written policy and procedures in alignment with federal standards and the Code of Federal Regulations; *Please note that preaward technical assistance will support in the development of these policies for organizations that do not already have them in place 

• Be able to provide documentation of liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

VI. Application Process

Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation’s Foundant Grants Portal
 

VII. Selection Criteria 

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

Criteria	Description
Community Impact	Direct benefit to vulnerable and underserved communities
Project Readiness & Feasibility	Appropriateness of timeline, goals, and strategy
Environmental Alignment	Advances water quality, flood mitigation, and resilience to hazards
Community Engagement	Degree of community leadership and participation
Organizational Capacity	Demonstrated ability or potential to manage grant
Sustainability & Learning	Plans for long-term impact and community storytelling

Final recommendations will be made by the Community Advisory Board, with approval by NOCSF. 

VIII. Timeline 

Milestone	Date
RFA Release	August 1, 2025
Webinars & TA	TBD
Application Deadline	October 24, 2025
Award Notification	December 1, 2025
Project Start Date	January 15, 2025

 IX. Technical Assistance

Pre-award technical assistance will include: 

• Virtual/in-person technical assistance sessions on grant writing and management, project design, and federal grant standards 

• Office hours and webinars to address applicants’ questions 

• Outreach support from Community Advisory Board members 

Post-award technical assistance includes: 

• Participation in a Community of Practice including quarterly convenings and an annual in-person meeting 

• Peer learning, expert-led training, and support in scaling projects

X. Reporting and Evaluation

Awardees will be required to: 

• Submit quarterly progress reports and a final report 

• Measure project-specific impact metrics, in line with the Foundation’s overall program evaluation process 

• Participate in formative and summative program evaluation processes in compliance with federal standards 

• Contribute to regional communications and storytelling efforts about environmental work