Governor Kathy Hochul on June 5 launched the Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS), a grant program that will make $100 million available for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to build or renovate local community centers.
Funded through the FY 2026 Enacted Budget, NY BRICKS supports projects that strengthen neighborhoods, promote mental and physical wellness and provide meaningful recreational opportunities for youth and older adults.
“Every New Yorker deserves a safe, welcoming space to grow, connect and thrive,” Hochul said.
Grants ranging from $250,000 to $15 million will support the design, construction, renovation and land acquisition of community centers. Priority consideration will be given to projects located in underserved areas and those offering affordable services such as childcare, eldercare and mental health counseling.
Applications for NY BRICKS open July 14, 2025, and must be submitted by 3:00pm on August 15, 2025. Awards will be announced no earlier than November 1, 2025. Applicants must provide a 20% match toward the total project cost.
Nonprofit applicants must be prequalified in the Statewide Financial System and maintain that status through the execution of the grant agreement and payment period. To assist prospective applicants, the state has opened a formal question period from June 5 to June 20, 2025.
Questions must be submitted through the NY BRICKS SurveyMonkey form. A pre-recorded webinar addressing these questions and outlining the application process will be posted on June 25, 2025, on both the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) websites.
A second set of responses to questions submitted between June 25 and June 27 will be posted by July 11, 2025.
More information on NY BRICKS, including the full Request for Applications, can be found at www.dasny.org and www.parks.ny.gov.
