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ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Announcement Memo

Purpose

Continuing a tradition of supporting a strong statewide conservation delivery system across Ohio, the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission and ODNR are making available Program Assistance Grants (PAG) to Ohio SWCDs experiencing a local funding crisis or historically low or stagnant funding. These grants will provide a safety net for districts with a sudden reduction in local funding, impacts from USDA office closures, and assist SWCDs experiencing a steady slow decline, or a long-term level-funding pattern.  PAG funds will provide assistance with program delivery, administrative costs, and costs associated with strategic planning and program evaluation.

Funding

Each year the OSWCC and ODNR will set aside $100,000 of state matching funds for the PAG program. Applications will be accepted each year from May 1st to June 5th.  Grants will range from $5,000 to $35,000 annually. Grants for recurring eligible costs may be renewed for a total of three years, but only upon submission and approval of applications for years two and three. All funds not distributed through the PAG program each year will be redistributed to all 88 SWCDs through the current fiscal state match formula. This first year the Commission will be accepting grant applications until October 20, 2006. Decisions on this round of grants will be made at the November 9th  meeting of the Commission and successful applicants can expect to receive funds in early December.  

Eligibility*

To be eligible a district must experience one or more of the following:

  • 40-100 % reduction in local appropriations
  • Budget reductions requiring a high percentage of employee reduction
  • Partnership Office closing and loss of shared space and equipment
  • Long-term declining or stagnant local appropriations

* Eligibility criteria may change from year to year to insure PAG flexibility.

Qualifying Expenditures

Funds from this program may be spent on activities to alleviate and correct the financial hardship such as:

  • Salaries, rent, utilities, computer systems and other office expenses 

  • Services to develop a new strategic plan and annual plan

  • Training for board members and staff

Application Process

Applications will be sent to all SWCDs, and may also be obtained through the division’s Web site. Applications should be sent to OSWCC Executive Secretary David Hanselmann, 2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. B-3 Columbus, Ohio 43229-6605.

Grant Selections and Award Schedule

Grants will be reviewed and scored by a Soil and Water Conservation Commission committee. Committee recommendations are subject to review and approval by the full Commission and the division Chief. Successful applicants will receive awards as early as possible during the State Fiscal year. Some awards may require program deliverables in order to receive full funding.  Awards to SWCDs will be limited to 3 consecutive years in any 7-year period up to the annual maximum rate.  Subsequent annual awards will also be based on successful completion of performance measures, program deliverables and reporting requirements.

Reporting

Periodic activity and progress reports will be submitted to the commission and division.   These reports should include planning, outreach and fundraising activities and document how grant funds were utilized.

OSWCC and ODNR Program Assistance Grant Application

________________ SWCD

Date____________________

Statement of Situation and Need: (300 word maximum)