Sustainable Jersey Awards More Than $300,000 in Grants to 56 New Jersey Municipalities and Schools

PSEG Foundation funding supports environmental education, climate resilience, green infrastructure, food waste reduction, and community engagement projects across 16 counties

Today, Sustainable Jersey announced that 56 New Jersey municipalities, schools, and school districts have been selected to receive grant funding for projects that advance sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.

Funded by the PSEG Foundation, the grants include six $20,000 awards, seventeen $10,000 awards, and thirty-five $2,000 awards. The projects will impact communities across sixteen counties and support a wide range of local initiatives, from community gardens and outdoor classrooms to climate resilience planning, native habitat restoration, composting programs, and environmental education.

The 2026 grant recipients and funded projects can be viewed here:

• See Who Received Grants and the Funded Projects

• Read Quotes from the Grant Recipients

The funded projects reflect the growing commitment of New Jersey communities and schools to creating healthier, more sustainable places to live, learn, and work. Initiatives include community and school gardens, greenhouse and outdoor learning spaces, composting and food waste reduction programs, native habitat restoration and tree planting efforts, environmental planning and green infrastructure projects, sustainability education and STEAM learning opportunities, and programs that promote student wellness, environmental literacy, and hands-on learning.

“Congratulations to the schools and municipalities receiving grants and for the positive momentum they are creating in their communities,” said Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “These grants, funded by the PSEG Foundation, support projects that improve quality of life while strengthening environmental stewardship and community engagement. Whether it’s a rain garden, a composting program, or a municipal efficiency project, these initiatives do more than address local challenges—they help communities discover what’s possible when people work together to create lasting change.”

Over the past fifteen years, the PSEG Foundation has contributed more than $5.68 million to Sustainable Jersey programs, strengthening its legacy of community investment and environmental leadership. Of that support, $4.04 million has been distributed directly to New Jersey municipalities and public schools through grant funding.

“Each year, we’re inspired by the creativity and determination that New Jersey communities bring to building a better future,” said Calvin Ledford, president of the PSEG Foundation and director of PSEG Corporate Social Responsibility. “These projects show what’s possible when local leaders, educators, and students work together to turn good ideas into meaningful action. The PSEG Foundation is proud to support initiatives that not only strengthen environmental resilience but also expand opportunity and improve quality of life across our state. Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients for driving progress where it matters most—right in their own communities.”

Grant proposals were reviewed and selected by an independent Blue-Ribbon Selection Committee. In addition to supporting innovative, community-driven projects, the grants help recipients advance toward Sustainable Jersey and Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.