May Monthly Grants Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Over the last few months, I have heard a lot of concerns about the freezing of federal grant funding in Western Pennsylvania. I am here to tell you that I will not stop fighting for you and for what is right. And taking away congressionally-authorized funding from hardworking communities and organizations in Western Pennsylvania is just not right.  

My office will continue to monitor these developments and fight to make sure this funding keeps flowing to projects that make life better for us in Western Pennsylvania. If you are the recipient of a federal grant and have been notified that this funding is no longer available to you, or you are experiencing other issues accessing your lawfully appropriated funds, please share your concerns with my office at PA17Grants@mail.house.gov.  

Celebrating the Good People of PA-17

This month I would like to highlight Energy Efficiency Empowerment (E3). A few weeks ago, Lucy de Barbaro, E3’s Founder and Director, reached out to my office for help regarding their U.S. Department of Energy funding award that had seemingly been frozen.  

E3 helps to retrofit existing buildings in low-income communities to make them more energy efficient. In January of 2025, E3 was expecting to receive $400,000 for a second round of funding from the Building Upgrade Prize. That money was to complete 25 home energy efficiency projects in Western PA. Then, unexpectedly, E3 lost all communication from the Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office. The program had been paused without justification, and E3 was looking for help to advocate for this funding. We are proud to announce that, following outreach from Congressman Deluzio’s office, the money is now unfrozen and is available to E3 to continue working towards bringing down costs in Western PA.  

To learn more about this PA-17 Highlight, and the other key community stakeholders that got involved in fighting to reverse this funding freeze, check out our full press release here. 

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Federal Funding

The Department of Labor is accepting applications for the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Technical Assistance Grant Program. This program aims to provide technical assistance to employers and labor unions in the United States and its territories to encourage employment of women in both apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations. The anticipated deadline is June 10, 2025.  

The Department of Justice is accepting applications for the 2025 School Violence Prevention Program which funds security improvement projects at schools and on school grounds in the recipient’s jurisdiction through evidence-based school safety programs. As a first step, you must submit an SF-424 in Grants.gov by June 18, 2025. 

The Department of Justice is accepting applications for the 2025 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program which funds the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services, training, and programming for employees of law enforcement agencies and their families. As a first step, you must submit an SF-424 in Grants.gov by June 24, 2025.   

The Department of Justice is accepting applications for the COPS Hiring Program which provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new and rehire existing career law enforcement officers and to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. As a first step, you must submit an SF-424 in Grants.gov by June 25, 2025.  

The Department of Transportation is accepting application for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program. The SS4A program provides funding for two main types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants for Action Plans, including supplemental safety planning and/or safety demonstration activities, and Implementation Grants (which require a pre-application action plan review). Apply by June 26, 2025.  

The Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the Bridge Investment Program which funds projects that improve bridge condition and the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges. FY 2026 funding applications must be submitted by August 1, 2025.  

State and Non-Federal Funding

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development is accepting applications for the PA Small Water and Sewer (SWS) program. This program awards grants to municipalities and municipal authorities for water, sewer, storm water, and flood control projects with a cost of not less than $30,000 and not more than $500,000. Apply by May 31, 2025. 

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development is accepting applications for the Sports Marketing and Tourism Grant Program. The purpose of this grant is to attract high-quality, amateur, and professional sporting and e-sports events to Pennsylvania, promoting year-round tourism, economic impact, and quality of life through sports. Apply by June 6, 2025.  

The PA Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for the Growing Greener Plus Program. The purpose of this program is to address nonpoint source pollution through local, watershed-based planning, restoration, and protection efforts. Apply by June 20, 2025. 

Pennsylvania’s Council on the Arts has opened the Creative Catalyst Grant Program. Statewide Creative Catalyst Grants support new initiatives and opportunities that advance strategies for strengthening the cultural, educational, or economic vitality of Pennsylvania’s communities through the arts. Apply by June 30, 2025.   

Pennsylvania’s Office of the Attorney General has opened the Community Drug Abuse Grant Program. This grant is intended to fund neighborhood-based events that provide education, prevention, and/or intervention related to drug and alcohol abuse, including the violence and other consequences that these substances can cause. Apply by June 30, 2025.   

Funding Tips and Reminders

Effective Monday, May 19, 2025, all payment requests submitted in ASAP.gov require a brief written justification for each payment. This is a change under the new administration. This field is mandatory, limited to 300 characters, and will be required in the first step of the payment request process.  

Given that grant programs are fluctuating by agency, court decisions, and more, my team and I highly recommend that you follow relevant agency newsletters and check grants.gov to see what grants are canceled, paused, or may have changed eligibility criteria.  

If you are the recipient of a federal grant and have been notified that this funding is no longer available to you or are experiencing other issues accessing your lawfully appropriated funds, please share your concerns with me and my team at PA17Grants@mail.house.gov.