The Community Grants Reinvestment Fund (CGRF) was established under New York’s Cannabis Law to reinvest in communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies. Decades of criminalization, disproportionate enforcement, and incarceration have left lasting impacts on the social, economic, and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities across the state.
Through the Community Reinvestment Program, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Cannabis Advisory Board (CAB) aim to promote restorative justice, strengthen community institutions, and invest in organizations that have supported resilience and healing despite the challenges of past drug laws.
For the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year grant cycle, the CAB will award grants to 501(c)(3) community-based organizations serving youth, defined as individuals aged 0–24, in communities disproportionally affected by prior drug policies. This year’s funding focuses on five (5) program areas:
Mental HealthHarm ReductionSubstance Use DisorderHousingWorkforce Development
To assist applicants, OCM has prepared a wide range of supplemental support, guidance, and tutorials. Visit the Resources section of the Prospective Grantees page of the Community Reinvestment Program:
VIEW RESOURCES FOR PROSPECTIVE GRANTEES
The goal is to create equitable, positive, and lasting impacts by investing in community-based programs that offer youth-focused initiatives and wraparound services tailored to local needs in communities disproportionally harmed by prior federal and state drug policies.
Applicants must apply for a specific award amount between $50,000-$200,000 determined by the tier structure in Section 2.2 of the Request for Applications (RFA). An applicant’s exact tier and eligible award amount is determined by the total organizational expenditure reflected on the organization’s most current IRS tax filing.
Please see Section 1.3 of the RFA for Key Events and deadlines.
Calendar of EventsIssuance of RFA No. OCM-2026-03:Wednesday, March 18, 2026Applicant Pre-Submission Webinar: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 @ 11 AM EST
Register HereDue Date for Submission of Applicant Questions:Wednesday, April 8, 2026OCM Issues Responses to Written Questions (Estimated):Wednesday, April 22, 2026Application Due Date:Wednesday, May 13, 2026 @ 5PM ESTNotification of Awards (Estimated):Friday, July 31, 2026
Designated Contact Information
Pursuant to SFL § 139-j(3)(a), OCM identifies the following allowable contacts for communications related to the submission of questions, letters of intent to bid, proposals, and requests for debriefings.
Amanda Shults
Administrative Specialist II
Office of Cannabis Management
1220 Washington Avenue – Bldg. 9 (4th Fl)
Albany, NY 12226
518-486-4543
[email protected]
In the event the Designated Contact is not available; the alternate Designated Contact is:
Tiffany Buzzo
Administrative Officer II
Office of Cannabis Management
1220 Washington Avenue – Bldg. 9 (4th Fl)
Albany, NY 12226
518-457-6298
[email protected]