Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grants & Technical Assistance Programs
Sustainable Jersey for Schools strives to connect participating schools and districts with financial and technical resources to successfully complete actions and make progress towards a sustainable future. To that end, we directly offer multiple competitive grant and technical assistance opportunities funded by program underwriters and partner organizations each year.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools grants not only provide crucial financial support for projects that might otherwise not materialize, but also enable schools to complete actions that contribute toward certification. Review the Actions page for ideas on possible projects. All actions have a Resources section with organizations that can help with project completion.
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Current Opportunities
Trees for Schools Program
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is providing $2.5 million in grants to public school districts, colleges, and universities to support planting and maintaining trees on campuses across the state. Administered by the Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey in collaboration with Sustainable Jersey, the program will award grants of $10,000 to $500,000. Learn more about the Trees for Schools program here.
Application Deadline: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 11:59pm
Free Energy Technical Assistance for School Districts in Elizabethtown Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas, and South Jersey Gas Territories
Participating school districts will work with the Sustainable Jersey energy team to identify and apply for incentives for energy efficiency audits and facility upgrades, which save energy and money. Learn more here.
Become an EmPowered School in 2023-2024!
The EmPowered Schools program provides free support and resources to educate PK-12 students about protecting the environment while saving energy in their schools and homes. The EmPowered activities can be used to earn points toward Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. Schools that are registered with Sustainable Jersey for Schools and that are in the New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), South Jersey Gas (SJG) or Elizabethtown Gas (ETG) service area, or that receive both electricity and gas from PSE&G are eligible to participate. Learn more and reserve your spot here.
Since 2009, Sustainable Jersey has awarded over $7.4 million in grants to participating municipalities and school districts.
Annual Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grant Cycles
| Sponsor | Project Type | Funding Levels | Cycle Announced | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJEA | General | $10,000 | Late-Summer | End of October |
| PSEG Foundation | General | $10,000 | Mid-October | Mid-March |
Projects Funded
Visit the Previous Recipients & Projects page to learn about the projects funded since 2015.