FY25 Community Project Funding Requests
FY25 Community Project Funding Requests
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), on May 10, submitted 15 funding requests for important community projects in New York’s 14th Congressional District to the House Appropriations Committee.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request up to 15 projects in their community to be considered for fiscal year 2025 funding. Funding is restricted to a limited number of project categories, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the guidelines governing Community Project Funding can be found here.
If your project was not selected, or you missed the deadline to apply, there may be an opportunity for funding next year - though Congressional leaders have not yet confirmed that this process will repeat for fiscal year 2026. Some of the considerations for strong proposals include depth of project planning, clear objectives and scope of work, demonstration of community support, and ability to manage federal grants.
The fifteen selected projects are outlined below, along with an explanation of the Office’s selection process and criteria. The italicized portion of the project description notes which federal funding stream would be allocated to the project.
Outreach: To inform our funding requests, our office posted widely about the opportunity and scheduled conversations with eligible groups to discuss possible projects and field questions. This year, due to a shortened timeline and committee limiting funding, we conducted targeted outreach to eligible entities. We then encouraged groups to complete the appropriate forms on our website for further consideration.
Evaluation process: After our submission deadline, our internal team screened applications according to 1) non-profit status 2) service to NY14, and 3) eligibility according to committee guidance. We then had a short list of applications that team members scored against the following criteria: service to historically underserved communities, project justification, project feasibility, project sustainability, and alignment with the office's priorities. Project justification criteria included rationale, the significance of the proposed work, and whether it addresses the community's specific need(s). Multiple considerations went into determining feasibility criteria, such as an organization’s ability to manage federal funding, project detail and scope. Sustainability considerations included whether the project or its impact can be sustained locally beyond the funds period, if results warrant.
We then presented the top 15 projects to the Congresswoman, who relayed her feedback on them. After further discussion and input from subcommittee staff, we arrived at the fifteen projects listed below.
Compliance:
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has certified that she, her partner, and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the requested projects.
The following 15 projects were submitted:
1. Bronx Defenders - Improving Justice in the Criminal Legal System Through Holistic Defense
$1,500,000
360 E 161st Street Bronx NY 10451
The Bronx Defenders requests $1,500,000 to help clients avoid the most devastating consequences of the criminal legal system by resolving cases before an arrest whenever possible, facilitating safe surrender to law enforcement when necessary, and conducting early investigations into potential charges and bail considerations. The resources at the disposal of the police and the state at all stages of a criminal investigation are vast; by partnering with the Early Defense program, low-income Bronx residents can mount a robust defense.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be foundhere.
2. New York City Department of Environmental Protection - J.H.S. 123X Green Infrastructure
$1,325,380.32
1025 Morrison Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472
New York City Department of Environmental Protection requests $1,325,380.32 to build out a green infrastructure project on school grounds, including the installation of stormwater detention tanks in school parking lots. This is a combined sewer overflow reduction project that would improve harbor water quality. Such infrastructure can also help alleviate flooding by managing stormwater and keeping it out of the sewer system during storms.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
3. New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority - Westchester Square Station ADA Upgrades
$5,000,000
Westchester Square Station, Bronx, NY 10461
New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority (NYSMTA) requests $5,000,000 to make the station ADA-accessible by installing elevators and other accessibility elements. Station work also includes modification of platforms, mezzanine areas, and stairs to provide accessible paths of travel to both platforms.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
4. New York City Department of Environmental Protection - Green Infrastructure Improvement
$250,000
Throughout the New York 14th Congressional District
New York City Department of Environmental Protection requests $250,000 to improve Green infrastructure throughout the district to help reduce combined sewer overflows and improve harbor water quality. Such infrastructure will also help alleviate flooding by managing stormwater and keeping it out of the sewer system during storms. This will also help in improving approximately 400 rain gardens and other green infrastructure assets in the district.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
5. Bronx River Alliance, Soundview Coastal Resiliency and Community Development
$750,000
One Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, NY 10462
Bronx River Alliance requests $750,000 to Improve Coastal Resilience. Soundview is a locus of coastal resiliency with multiple projects underway to provide storm surge protection, habitat restoration, and water quality improvements. This project would convene the leading groups working on these projects to share best practices and lessons learned, and to develop a coordinated approach to community and youth development. This coordination will result in enhanced community-based stewardship of these vital projects and broad public education about their importance.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
6. New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority - Parkchester Station ADA Upgrades
$5,000,000
Parkchester Station, Bronx, NY 10472
New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority (NYSMTA) requests $5,000,000 to make the station ADA-accessible by installing elevators and other accessibility elements. Station work also includes modification of platforms, mezzanine areas, and stairs to provide accessible paths of travel to both platforms.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
7. New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority - Broadway Station ADA Upgrades
$5,000,000
Broadway Station, Queens, NY 11106
New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority (NYSMTA) requests $5,000,000 to make the station ADA-accessible by installing elevators and other accessibility elements. Station work also includes modification of platforms, mezzanine areas, and stairs to provide accessible paths of travel to both platforms.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
8. Community Capacity Development - Mentor Model - Response to recent youth violence in Queens
$262,000
89-36 Sutphin Boulevard, suite 303, Jamaica, NY 11435
Community Capacity Development requests $262,000 for their Mentor Model - Response to recent youth violence in Queens program, which is a mission devoted to preventing teenagers and young adults from incarceration through community building. This model develops authentic relationships in the community by having assigned mentors and a progress checklist of activities to be followed that are geared toward developing health habits. The program aims to provide support, guidance, and opportunities for high-risk youth, focusing on holistic development, education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community engagement.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
9. New York City Department of Environmental Protection - Lead Service Line Replacement
$4,000,000
Throughout the New York 14th Congressional District
New York City Department of Environmental Protection requests $4,000,000 to supplement the launch of a Lead Service Line Replacement Program to provide free lead service line replacements to some eligible property owners. This funding would replace approximately 300 lead service lines, bringing clean drinking water to families across New York’s 14th Congressional District.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
10. New York Hall of Science - Join Artemis: Fly to the moon with NYSCI
$1,199,961
47-01 111th St, Queens, NY 11368
The New York Hall of Science requests $1,199,961 to develop and implement a range of programs to engage learners of all ages with the Artemis III launch, with a focus on the many scientists and engineers on earth who contribute to making this mission possible. In September 2026, NASA’s Artemis III Mission will take a diverse team of four astronauts to the moon, becoming the first people to return to the lunar surface in over fifty years and the first to explore the lunar South Pole.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
11. City Island Oyster Reef - Oyster Reef Capacitation
$403,491
88 Horton St, Bronx, NY 10464
City Island Oyster Reef (CIOR) requests $403,491 to reestablish a resilient ecosystem in western Long Island Sound by creating two oyster reef habitats and thereby increasing oyster populations in the waters surrounding City Island in the Bronx. City Island’s location for these oyster reefs makes it a critical hub and essential connection between reef restoration sites to the west in the East River, at Soundview, and SUNY Maritime College, as well as to existing oyster populations in Long Island Sound east of City Island.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
12. New York City Department of Education - Literacy Hub at C.S. 150
$720,000
920 East 167 Street, Bronx, NY 10459
The New York City Department of Education requests $720,000 to revitalize an underutilized library space, transforming it into a vibrant literacy hub that catalyzes academic achievement and community engagement.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
13. New York City Housing Authority - Throggs Neck Fire Alarm System Upgrades
$3,000,000
2824 Schley Ave, Bronx, NY 10465
New York City Housing Authority requests $3,000,000 to identify, remove, and replace all existing fire detection system components, both operable and inoperable, as per the NYC Fire Code.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
14. New York City Housing Authority - Castle Hill Fire Alarm System Upgrades
$1,500,000
645 Castle Hill Ave, Bronx, NY 10473
New York City Housing Authority requests $1,500,000 to identify, remove, and replace all existing fire detection system components, both operable and inoperable, as per the NYC Fire Code.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.
15. New York City Department of Transportation - Southern Boulevard Bus Stops Under the El
$5,000,000
Southern Boulevard, The Bronx, NY 10459
The New York City Department of Transportation requests $5,000,000 to construct bus bulbs, pedestrian safety improvements, and accessibility upgrades at six intersections on Southern Boulevard under the elevated 2/5 between 167th and 174th Streets. Bus stops located beneath elevated subway structures present a unique set of design challenges. Because subway columns at many locations prevent buses from reaching the curb, riders are forced to wait for the bus on the street, resulting in inaccessible and unsafe boarding conditions.
Member certification of no financial interest and Federal Nexus can be found here.