NSDA Weekly Grant Update: October 3, 2025

This is your weekly grant opportunities update from The National Special Districts Association. Special districts are either eligible to apply directly, or able to partner with a qualifying entity to apply for any of the grants listed.

New Grant Opportunities

Department of Agriculture

FY 2026 Solid Waste Management (SWM) Grant Program

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to assist communities by awarding qualified, eligible organizations that provide technical assistance and training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas to help reduce or eliminate the pollution of water resources.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Private nonprofit organizations, public bodies, federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups, and academic institutions
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $4 million
WHEN IS IT DUE? December 31, 2025

Department of Health and Human Services

FY 2025 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program: New (Year 1) (Updated)

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support the efforts of community coalitions who work to prevent and reduce substance use among youth.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Community-based coalitions addressing youth substance use that have not previously received a DFC grant. Community coalitions must be a 501(c)(3) organization, or the coalition can partner with a fiscal agent on behalf of the coalition. Fiscal agents may include state and territorial governments; county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts, institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations, public and Indian housing authorities; and for-profit organizations.
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $31.25 million
WHEN IS IT DUE? April 14, 2026

Department of Housing and Urban Development

FY 2025 Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Program: Service Coordinator (ROSS-SC)

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support residents of public and Indian housing in overcoming educational, professional, and health related barriers to achieve self-sufficiency. Funding is provided to hire service coordinators who assess resident needs, provide case management, and connect participants to training and supportive services.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Federally recognized Native American tribes and tribal governments, public and Indian housing authorities, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, resident associations (RAs), multifamily owners, and Tribally-Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs)
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $40 million
WHEN IS IT DUE? December 2, 2025

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

FY 2025 Healthy American Forests Initiative (HAFI)

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support watershed restoration and vegetation management projects on National Forest System lands to achieve a healthy forest ecosystem. Projects should increase forest management activities and reduce wildfire risk to ultimately promote healthy forests, increase timber productivity, and protect American prosperity.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Nonprofit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? Unspecified
WHEN IS IT DUE? January 13, 2026