A community project often requires multiple sources of funding to make it a reality. MVRPC has staff experience and resources to help members find opportunities for these alternate funding sources.
- MVRPC can help identify potential partnerships, funding approaches and opportunities to support your project and achieve a successful outcome.
- MVRPC can help analyze funding requirements and award trends, identify factors critical in winning competitive funding, connect organizations where collaboration would be beneficial, help refine project scopes to increase competitiveness, and help identify positive regional impacts.
- MVRPC can provide data, mapping, and planning services for the application process and the project itself.
If you have specific needs or questions about government or organization-eligible funding opportunities, please contact: Kathryn Youra Polk, Principal Planner.
Current Funding Opportunities
On a monthly basis, MVRPC will highlight several funding opportunities that could benefit communities in the Region. Click on the grant titles listed below to view more details including links to the granting agency webpage.
H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Program
Deadline: June 1, 2026.
As part of Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) announces funds available for the 2025 conservation ditch program. H2Ohio focuses on promoting best management practices in agriculture, restoring wetlands, and enhancing water infrastructure to reduce nutrients that contribute to harmful algal blooms. All Ohio County Engineers and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are eligible to apply for funding to construct two-stage and self-forming ditches. Conservation ditches provide environmental benefits and improve water quality by slowing water flow, processing nutrients, and removing sediment. Projects approved in this year’s sign-up will have until the end of 2028 to be completed.
Types of Eligible Ditch Projects:
- Two-Stage Ditch
- Self-Forming Ditch
Eligible applicants include:
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts
- County Engineers
Private landowners are not eligible applicants; however, eligible entities may partner with private landowners on proposed projects. If selected for funding, applicants will be responsible for project management and direct project oversight.
Award Ceiling: This is a reimbursement grant program that provides up to 100 percent project funding; per-project budget must be justified in the application.
Deadline: June 1, 2026.
Contact: Justin McBride, H2Ohio Lead Engineer, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil and Water Conservation; email: justin.mcbride@agri.ohio.gov
NatureWorks
Deadline: July 1, 2026.
NatureWorks projects are funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue which was approved by Ohio voters in November 1993. The NatureWorks grant program provides up to 75% reimbursement assistance for local government subdivisions to for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas. Since NatureWorks' inception, the grant has funded over 2300 public park projects in all 88 counties.
Eligible applicants include:
- All local subdivisions of government are eligible (townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts, and conservancy districts).
- Note: Local school boards are ineligible.
The agency must have proper control (title or at least a 15-year non-revocable lease) to be eligible for a development or rehabilitation grant.
Award Ceiling: County allocation up to $150,000 max if available; 25% match required.
Deadline: July 1, 2026.
Contact: Dee Burlison, 2045 Morse Road E-2, Columbus, OH 43229, phone: (614) 265-6834, email: dolores.burlison@dnr.ohio.gov
See more at: https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/natureworks
Ohio Pedestrian & Bicycle Special Solicitation
Deadline: Quarterly
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
Ohio Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing
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
FY 2021 – FY 2023 Economic Development Administration’s Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program
Deadline: Ongoing
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
Valuable Resources for Finding Funding Opportunities
Below are MVRPC’s top picks to search for Federal and State funding opportunities.
GRANTS.GOV (www.grants.gov)
Grants.gov is your place to find and apply for grants for all Federal Agencies. You can sign up for a subscription to receive email updates on grant opportunities. There are also many resources to help you in the ‘Grants Learning Center’ at https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants.
US ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORY
This directory provides links to critical local resources including: EDA regional office contacts, state government contacts, and EDD, TAAC, RLF, University Centers, and Tribal planning organization sites. https://www.eda.gov/grant-resources/economic-development-directory/oh
OHIO COMMUNITY GRANTS, LOANS, BONDS, AND TAX CREDITS
The Ohio Department of Development has a variety of bonds, grants, loans, and tax credits that can assist Ohio communities as they build an environment for economic development. More information on the various programs is listed at http://development.ohio.gov/cs/cs_grantsloansbonds.htm.
OHIO BUSINESS GRANTS, LOANS AND TAX CREDITS
The Ohio Development Services Agency has a variety of bonds, grants, loans and tax credits that can assist Ohio companies as they grow and create jobs in Ohio. More information on the various programs is listed at http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_busgrantsloans.htm.
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES GRANTS
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources offers several grants to entities and individuals to help further resource management and enjoyment. A description of the grants can be found at https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/business-and-industry/municipalities-and-public-entities/grants-and-equipment/grants-and-equipment.
OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The link below takes you directly to Ohio’s resources, which has a valuable spreadsheet of funding sources and a list of contacts by agency. http://epa.ohio.gov/DoBusiness/GetHelp/FinancialAssistance.aspx
US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The USDA Rural Development has a variety of programs that support projects related to housing, community facilities, business development and utilities in rural communities. For more information please visit their website https://www.rd.usda.gov/oh or contact your USDA state representative https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-page/ohio-contacts.
If you are using an e-reader device and encounter problems with this page, please contact Kathryn Youra Polk, Principal Planner at 937-531-6529 for assistance.