Unplug and Play: Governor Hochul Announces $75 Million Available Through NY Bricks for Municipal and Nonprofit Community Centers

Governor Kathy Hochul has opened the second round of the NY BRICKS program, making $75 million in capital grants available to municipalities and nonprofits for building, renovating, and modernizing community centers across New York State. Grants range from $250,000 to $15 million per project, with priority scoring for underserved communities and a 20 percent local match required. Applications open through the DASNY Grants Portal on November 2, 2026, and close at 3:00 p.m. on December 7, 2026.

What Is the NY BRICKS Program?

NY BRICKS stands for Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors. It is a state-funded capital grant program administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in partnership with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). The program funds the design, construction, reconstruction, major renovation, and modernization of community centers that promote physical activity, mental health, and social connection for youth and older adults.

The program launched its first round on December 5, 2025, awarding $100 million to 30 projects across 22 counties, with approximately 90 percent of funding directed to underserved communities. Those first-round awards are expected to serve nearly 400,000 New Yorkers. The second round, announced August 31, 2026, builds on that foundation with another $75 million, funded through the FY2027 state budget.

Governor Hochul has framed community centers as critical infrastructure, not optional amenities. DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez described NY BRICKS as a tool to deliver “places to come together, stay active and access programs and services that strengthen neighborhoods.” State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser emphasized that the program makes it easier for families to disconnect from devices and enjoy recreation.

For communities in the Mohawk Valley and across upstate New York, this matters deeply. When a town loses its community center, it loses a gathering space, a youth program site, a senior lunch program, and sometimes the only indoor recreation option for miles. NY BRICKS is designed to reverse that decline.

How to Apply for NY BRICKS Funding

Applications for round two will be submitted through the DASNY Grants Application Portal beginning November 2, 2026. All applications must be filed by 3:00 p.m. on December 7, 2026. Here is the timeline:

DateMilestoneAugust 31, 2026RFA released; applicant question period opensSeptember 14, 2026Webinar for potential applicants postedSeptember 30, 2026Questions from applicants dueOctober 26, 2026Responses to questions postedNovember 2, 2026DASNY portal opens for applicationsDecember 7, 2026 (3:00 p.m.)Application deadlineFebruary 26, 2027 (earliest)Awards announced

Before applying, nonprofits must complete a critical step: obtain and maintain approved prequalification status in the Statewide Financial System (SFS). This status must be active before submitting an application and must remain current through execution of the Grant Disbursement Agreement and payment of all requisitions. Municipal applicants do not face this same prequalification requirement but must meet their own compliance standards.

The Request for Applications and supporting materials are available on the DASNY website, along with application forms and attachment templates.

Who Is Eligible for NY BRICKS Grants?

Eligible applicants fall into two categories: municipalities (cities, towns, villages, counties, and certain special districts) and nonprofit organizations that operate community centers or provide community-based recreational programming.

Nonprofit applicants must be registered and in good standing with the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau. They must also hold the SFS prequalification status mentioned above. Small nonprofits can absolutely apply, provided they meet these baseline requirements and can demonstrate the capacity to manage a capital project and the 20 percent local match.

For organizations doing grassroots work in the Mohawk Valley, think about the community centers that anchor neighborhoods in Utica, Rome, and surrounding towns. Programs like the Johnson Park Center free food giveaways or inclusive events for the disabled community represent exactly the kind of community-based organizations NY BRICKS is designed to support. If your nonprofit runs a physical space that serves youth or seniors, you should explore this opportunity.

Common mistake: Waiting until November to start the SFS prequalification process. That status can take weeks to secure, and without it, your application will not be accepted.

What Can NY BRICKS Funding Be Used For?

NY BRICKS funds capital projects, not operating expenses. That means the money goes toward physical infrastructure, not staff salaries or program costs. Eligible uses include:

• Design and architectural planning

• Construction of new community centers

• Reconstruction of damaged or deteriorating facilities

• Major renovations of existing buildings

• Improvements and modernization of aging infrastructure

• Rehabilitation of spaces to support recreation, health, and social programming

Projects must promote physical activity, mental health, and social connection for youth and older adults. A new gymnasium, a renovated senior center, an accessible community kitchen, or a modernized youth program space would all qualify.

What does not qualify: Routine maintenance, cosmetic repairs, equipment purchases unrelated to construction, and operating costs. If your project is essentially “paint and carpet,” it likely does not meet the threshold.

How Much Money Can Community Centers Get from NY BRICKS?

Round two grants range from a minimum of $250,000 to a maximum of $15 million per project. Applicants must provide a 20 percent local match toward total project costs, meaning a $1 million project requires at least $200,000 in non-state funding.

The first round demonstrated the range of awards. The Village of Hempstead received $15 million for a new community center. Organizations like BronxWorks, the Albany Jewish Community Center, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, and the YMCA of Broome County all received multi-million-dollar grants, illustrating the program’s statewide reach and scale.

For smaller communities in Oneida County and the broader Mohawk Valley, even a $250,000 grant could transform a struggling community center into a vibrant hub. The key is matching your project scope to the funding tier and demonstrating clear community impact.

Difference Between NY BRICKS Municipal vs. Nonprofit Funding

The core eligibility requirements differ between the two applicant types. Municipalities apply as units of local government and do not need SFS prequalification. Nonprofits must secure and maintain SFS prequalification status before and throughout the grant lifecycle.

Both types of applicants must meet the 20 percent local match requirement and are scored on the same criteria, including community need, project readiness, and service to underserved populations. However, nonprofits face additional fiscal and compliance documentation requirements through the DASNY grants administration process.

If your organization is a nonprofit without experience managing state capital grants, consider partnering with your municipality or a fiscal sponsor. The application process is rigorous, and the compliance requirements extend well beyond the award date.

What Projects Qualify for NY BRICKS?

Qualifying projects must involve capital improvements to community centers that serve youth and older adults. The program specifically targets spaces that promote physical activity, mental health, and social connection. Here are examples of qualifying projects:

• Building a new multi-purpose community center in a town that currently lacks one

• Renovating an aging YMCA or Boys and Girls Club facility to meet modern accessibility standards

• Modernizing a senior center with updated HVAC, accessible restrooms, and program space

• Reconstructing a flood-damaged community center in a rural area

• Designing and building a youth recreation center in an underserved urban neighborhood

Projects in underserved communities receive priority in scoring. The first round directed roughly 90 percent of funding to these communities, so applicants should clearly document how their project serves populations with limited access to recreational infrastructure.

NY BRICKS vs. Other Community Center Funding Programs

NY BRICKS is part of a broader infrastructure investment strategy under the Unplug and Play umbrella. Two companion programs expand the toolkit:

• NY SWIMS has announced nearly $260 million for 79 public swimming facility projects, expected to benefit 2.5 million New Yorkers.

• NY PLAYS makes $67.5 million available for building and renovating playgrounds.

All three programs align with Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign, which encourages children and families to reduce screen time and prioritize physical and mental health. NY BRICKS specifically funds indoor, year-round community centers, while NY SWIMS and NY PLAYS target outdoor aquatic and playground infrastructure.

If your project involves a pool, check NY SWIMS. If it involves a playground, check NY PLAYS. If it involves a community center building, NY BRICKS is your program.

Which Community Centers Got NY BRICKS Grants in Round One?

The first round of NY BRICKS awarded $100 million to 30 projects in 22 counties. Notable awards included:

• $15 million to the Village of Hempstead for a new community center

• Multi-million-dollar awards to BronxWorks, Albany Jewish Community Center, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, and YMCA of Broome County

These awards were funded through the FY2026 Enacted Budget and are expected to serve nearly 400,000 New Yorkers, with about 90 percent of funding going to underserved communities. The full list of round one awards is available through the governor’s office.

For Mohawk Valley residents, the absence of local projects on the round one list should be a call to action. Organizations in Utica, Rome, New Hartford, and surrounding communities have every reason to compete for round two funding.

How Long Does NY BRICKS Approval Take?

From application submission to award announcement, the process spans roughly three months. Applications are due December 7, 2026. Awards will be announced no earlier than February 26, 2027. After the award, grantees must execute a Grant Disbursement Agreement before funds begin flowing, which can add additional weeks or months depending on project readiness and compliance documentation.

Plan for a minimum of six months from application to first draw of funds. Projects with shovel-ready designs and secured local match funding will move fastest through the post-award process.

NY BRICKS Funding Requirements and Restrictions

All applicants must meet these core requirements:

• 20 percent local match toward total project costs

• Projects must serve youth and/or older adults

• Facilities must promote physical activity, mental health, and social connection

• Underserved communities receive priority scoring

• Nonprofits must maintain SFS prequalification status throughout the grant lifecycle

• Funds are for capital projects only, not operating expenses

• All work must comply with state building codes, accessibility standards, and environmental review requirements

Restrictions include: no funding for routine maintenance, no equipment-only purchases, and no projects that do not result in a physical community center improvement. Grantees are also subject to audit and must maintain records for a period specified in the Grant Disbursement Agreement.

Why This Matters for the Mohawk Valley

Community centers are not luxury amenities. They are the connective tissue of civic life, especially in regions like the Mohawk Valley where winters are long, rural distances are real, and public gathering spaces are limited. A renovated community center in Utica or Rome can host after-school programs, senior lunches, job fairs, and recovery support meetings, sometimes all in the same week.

Organizations like the Center for Family Life and Recovery demonstrate how community-based programming addresses addiction, mental health, and social isolation. A capital grant from NY BRICKS could help such organizations expand their physical footprint and reach more people.

Similarly, community-police collaboration initiatives often depend on physical spaces where residents and officers can meet informally. Community centers funded through NY BRICKS could serve that purpose.

The question for local leaders and nonprofit directors is simple: will the Mohawk Valley claim its share of this $75 million, or will the funding flow to communities that organized faster?

FAQ

What is NY BRICKS?
NY BRICKS (Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors) is a New York State capital grant program funding the construction and renovation of community centers serving youth and older adults.

How much can a single project receive?
Grants range from $250,000 to $15 million per project, with a required 20 percent local match.

When are applications due?
Applications must be submitted through the DASNY portal by 3:00 p.m. on December 7, 2026.

Can small nonprofits apply?
Yes. Small nonprofits can apply if they are in good standing with the Charities Bureau and hold SFS prequalification status. They must also meet the 20 percent local match requirement.

What is the 20 percent local match?
Applicants must provide at least 20 percent of total project costs from non-state sources. For a $1 million project, that means $200,000 in matching funds.

When will awards be announced?
Awards for round two will be announced no earlier than February 26, 2027.

What projects are not eligible?
Routine maintenance, cosmetic repairs, equipment-only purchases, and operating expenses do not qualify. Only capital projects involving physical improvements to community centers are eligible.

Do municipalities need SFS prequalification?
No. SFS prequalification is required only for nonprofit applicants. Municipalities must meet their own compliance standards.

Key Takeaways

• $75 million is available in round two of NY BRICKS, with individual grants from $250,000 to $15 million.

• Applicants must provide a 20 percent local match toward total project costs.

• Underserved communities receive priority in scoring and award decisions.

• Eligible projects include design, construction, renovation, and modernization of community centers serving youth and older adults.

• Nonprofits must hold prequalification status in the Statewide Financial System before applying.

• Applications are due December 7, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. through the DASNY portal.

• Awards will be announced no earlier than February 26, 2027.

• The first round awarded $100 million to 30 projects in 22 counties, serving nearly 400,000 New Yorkers.

• NY BRICKS is part of the broader Unplug and Play initiative, alongside NY SWIMS and NY PLAYS.

Conclusion

The second round of NY BRICKS puts $75 million on the table for communities willing to do the work. For municipalities and nonprofits in the Mohawk Valley, this is a real opportunity to build or rebuild the spaces that hold neighborhoods together.

Here is what to do right now:

1. Read the RFA on the DASNY BRICKS page and assess whether your project qualifies.

2. If you are a nonprofit, start the SFS prequalification process immediately. Do not wait until November.

3. Assemble your local match funding. Identify sources, get commitments in writing, and document them.

4. Watch the applicant webinar when it posts by September 14, 2026.

5. Submit questions by September 30 if anything in the RFA is unclear.

6. Prepare your application early. The December 7 deadline at 3:00 p.m. is firm.

Community centers are where kids learn to trust adults outside their families, where seniors avoid isolation, and where neighbors become friends. The funding is available. The question is whether the Mohawk Valley will step up to claim it.