NOI to Award: Boston Harbor Islands Innovation Grants and Ferry Transportation Costs

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking proposals for the Boston Harbor Islands Innovation Grants and Ferry Transportation Costs. The program aims to support innovative programs and activities at the Boston Harbor Islands, with the goal of attracting and welcoming diverse visitors to the islands. The grant program is a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the National Park Service. The program will provide grants to local organizations to design and deliver island-based programming that reflects the needs, interests, and identities of their communities. The program will also provide free ground and water transportation to support community-based organizations in their journey to bring creative and engaging programs to Boston Harbor. Key aspects of the program include: • The program will provide grants to support community-led planning, promotion, coordination, water transportation, facilitation, and resources that enable program participants to equitably access and enjoy parks while promoting health and wellness and strengthening relationships. • The program will support up to 9 grant recipients, with funding levels varying per grantee according to program costs and numbers served. • The program will also provide grants for community-planned, curated, and facilitated experiences at Castle Island, Carson Beach, or other DCR-owned Harborwalk locations. • The program will support interpretive services or additional care aides and staff for the elderly or people with disabilities. • The program will provide water and ground transportation, including up to 200 free ferry tickets per island-bound grantee and round trip bus rentals. • The program will also support a part-time program assistant to work from March through October 2026, promoting the grant program, including panel review and selection of awardees, communication with grant applicants and recipients, distribution of ferry access tickets, and facilitating program/event permitting.