Grants & Funding

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard grants are competitive, matching grants that support public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the U.S. that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. The U.S. Standard program's goal is to promote partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in protecting, enhancing, and restoring an appropriate distribution and variety of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other fish and wildlife in North America; maintaining and improving the current distributions of wetlands-associated migratory bird populations; and maintaining an abundance of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other populations of wetlands- associated migratory birds consistent with the objectives of the North American Page 4 of 10 Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and other international obligations contained in the treaties and migratory bird conventions and other agreements within North America. A 1 to 1 match to grant ratio is a requirement.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Small businesses
• County governments
• City or township governments
• State governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)

Award Ceiling: $3,000,000

Deadline: September 25, 2026.

Contact: DBHC Office; email: DBHC@fws.gov;

See more at: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/e83aae66-837e-47e0-98f5-7a15dd60ba6c

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program provides up to 50% reimbursement assistance for state and local government subdivisions (townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts, and conservancy districts) for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas. The applicant must own the property being developed or rehabilitated. Unless leased from the federal government or another political subdivision for a 25 year term (not revocable at will), leased property is ineligible. To be eligible for federal LWCF grant assistance, Ohio prepares and updates the Ohio Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Ohio reviews LWCF grant applications and submits recommended projects to the National Park Service for final approval. All recommended projects must be in accord with Ohio's SCORP priorities. The proposed project scope must be either development or acquisition, not both.

Eligible applicants may include:

• All local subdivisions of government are eligible
• The applicant must own the property being developed or rehabilitated. Unless leased from the federal government or another political subdivision for a 25-year term (not revocable at will), leased property is ineligible

Award Ceiling: $500,000

Match Requirement: Yes; 50%

Deadline: October 30, 2026.

Contact: Dee Burlison, Program Manager; email: dolores.burlison@dnr.ohio.gov; phone: 614-265-6834

See more at: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/land-water-conservation-fund

Ohio EPA's Recycle Ohio Grant program supports communities, businesses, and academic institutions that initiate or expand recycling programs, encourage sustainable practices, stimulate economic growth, and support litter prevention efforts through five different grants.

Community and Litter Grant Local governments and nonprofits can receive funding to purchase equipment for the collection and processing of recyclables and construction and demolition debris. These organizations can also receive funding to implement litter collection events, outreach, and education. Tire amnesty programs, with a required minimum $0.50/tire collection fee, are an eligible activity. Grantees have 24 months to complete the project.

Academic Institution Grant Public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities may receive funding for recycling efforts as well as outreach and education, recycling equipment, and conference sponsorships. Funds are also available to complete beneficial use projects that incorporate the use of ground tire rubber. Grantees have 24 months to complete the project.

Source Reduction Grant Public and private K-12 schools, colleges, universities, local governments, and non-profits can receive funds to purchase equipment promoting reuse practices. Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment such as water bottle refilling stations, dishwashers, and hand dryers. Installation, maintenance, and labor are not eligible costs under the grant and must be covered by the grantee. Grantees have 12 months to complete the project.

Market Development Grant This grant provides Ohio businesses (for example, manufacturers, recyclers, material processors, etc.) opportunities to create or expand recycling processing capacity and recycled material production. This includes funding for equipment specifically needed to remanufacture recyclable materials into bulk raw material or finished product. This grant requires the business to have a government sponsor. Grant funds are reimbursed only after project completion through the government sponsor. Grantees have 24 months to complete the project.

Scrap Tire Grant This grant program offers Ohio businesses (for example, manufacturers, scrap tire recovery facilities, material processors) funding to create or expand scrap tire processing capacity and product manufacturing. Funds are also available for local governments and nonprofits to complete beneficial use projects that incorporate the use of ground tire rubber. Business applicants must have a government sponsor. Grant funds for business applicants are reimbursed only after project completion through the government sponsor. Grantees have 24 months to complete the project.

Eligible applicants include: Provided they are in good financial standing with the State, and have no outstanding environmental compliance issues, the following Ohio groups are eligible to apply:

• Schools
• Health Departments
• Local Governments
• Non-profits
• Park Districts
• Private Sector Businesses
• Solid Waste Management Authorities and Districts
• Private sector businesses must have a government sponsor.

Award Ceiling: $10,000-$300,000, grant depending

Deadline: November 6, 2026

Contact: Ohio EPA, email: Recycle@epa.ohio.gov

See more at: https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/environmental-education/recycle-ohio-grants/recycling-grants

ODOT is hosting a special solicitation for projects that make walking and biking a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation option for all Ohioans. A variety of pedestrian and bicycle related projects are eligible for this opportunity with an emphasis on projects that can begin construction before July 2026.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is hosting a special solicitation for projects that make walking and biking a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation option for all Ohioans. A variety of pedestrian and bicycle related projects are eligible for this special solicitation, including:

• Plans and Studies - the development of pedestrian and/or bicycle related plans or studies at the state, regional, local, or corridor level.
• Data Collection - the collection of data related to walking and biking.
• Education and Promotion - activities that educate on bicycle and walking matters and those which promote walking, biking, and transit as a transportation option.
• Short Term Infrastructure Projects - engineering, design, and/or construction of pedestrian and bicycle projects that can begin construction by June 30, 2026.
• Traditional Infrastructure Projects - engineering, design, and/or construction of standalone pedestrian and bicycle projects of statewide significance.

Eligible applicants include:

• political subdivisions (i.e. city, village, township, county, school district, health district, park district, etc.),
• regional planning organizations, and
• other non-profit agencies with support from a political subdivision

Award Ceiling: Cost should be commensurate to the potential impact. Projects for over $3M are highly unlikely to be fully funded through this solicitation.

Deadline: Electronic applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed and awarded quarterly (January, April, July, and October) based on funding availability.

Contact: Caitlin Harley, Safe Routes to School & Active Transportation Program Manager, phone: 614-466-3049, email: Caitlin.Harley@dot.ohio.gov

See more at: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/traveling/bicycling-and-pedestrians/Resources/pedbikefunding

The Ohio Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program will award approximately $250 million to provide safe, reliable drinking water in areas that lack infrastructure, bring sewage treatment capacity to unsewered areas, and develop regional infrastructure to serve multiple communities. This presentation offers more information.

Water and wastewater construction projects are eligible for up to $5 million in grant funding, and infrastructure engineering design projects are eligible for up to $250,000.

Examples of water infrastructure construction projects include, but are not limited to:

• Sewer/wastewater treatment plant improvements/expansion
• New/replacement sanitary sewer lines
• Excess sanitary sewer infiltration/inflow correction
• Improvements to public drinking water treatment facilities
• Drinking water line improvements or extensions
• Repair, replacement, and construction of drinking water storage towers

Deadline: Ongoing

Contact: Matt Lindsay at mlindsay@mvrpc.org to discuss potential projects in your community.

See more at: https://businesshelp.ohio.gov/pdf/07302021-Water-and-Wastewater-Infrastructure-Grant.pdf

Through its Planning and Local Technical Assistance programs, EDA assists eligible recipients in developing economic development plans and studies designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. The Planning program helps support organizations, including District Organizations, Indian Tribes, and other eligible recipients, with Short Term and State Planning investments designed to guide the eventual creation and retention of high-quality jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the Nation's most economically distressed regions. As part of this program, EDA supports Partnership Planning investments to facilitate the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), which articulate and prioritize the strategic economic goals of recipients' respective regions. The Local Technical Assistance program strengthens the capacity of local or State organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible recipients to undertake and promote effective economic development programs through projects such as feasibility studies and impact analyses.

Please see the Federal Funding Opportunity for full information on how to apply. Also note that any applicants who are in the process of developing an application under the previous FFO will need to apply under the new FFO and use the associated new forms.

Deadline: Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received. This Planning and Local Technical Assistance opportunity will remain in effect until superseded by a future announcement.

Contact: Ellen Heinz, State of Ohio Economic Development Representative, (312)505-4953, eheinz@eda.gov

See more at:
https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities/fiscal-year-2021-2023-eda-planning-and-local-technical-assistance
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280447