I’m pleased to invite you to the 2025 Ohio Grants Summit, presented by the Ohio Grants Partnership, on December 9 through December 11.
This free, virtual event supports local governments in navigating federal grant funding. Each day features expert-led sessions on compliance, reporting, and best practices to help strengthen your grant readiness.
We look forward to your participation and to continuing our shared work in building stronger communities across Ohio.
If your team needs support, or help connecting to or navigating state resources, please contact us.
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Coming soon...
The Sixth Annual
Ohio Grants Summit
Presented by the Ohio Grants Partnership
Register and view the full agenda.
Note: You must register separately for each day you plan to attend this free virtual event.
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Discover the DataOhio Portal: A Smart Tool for Your Community
The DataOhio Portal makes it easy for local government officials to find and use public data that matters. Whether you're tracking traffic safety, checking school performance, or exploring how public dollars are spent, the portal gives you the tools to make informed confident decisions.
Take a look at DataOhio and see how you can search for data to inform your local government decision-making.
Is Your Community Prepared for Grant Funding?
As more communities in Ohio seek grants for broadband, infrastructure, workforce development, and public safety, it’s essential to ask: Are we prepared to apply?
Before starting an application, local leaders should assess their readiness in key areas, including strategic alignment, financial capacity, staffing, partnerships, and compliance.
The Ohio Grants Partnership has created a checklist of 20 questions to help your team navigate this process. Topics include:
• Does the project fit with your community’s strategic goals?
• Do you have the staff and systems necessary to manage the grant?
• Can you continue the project after the funding ends?
• Are you ready to meet reporting and compliance requirements?
EPA Offers Grants to Help Communities Revitalize Brownfield Sites
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering Technical Assistance Grants to help small towns, rural areas, tribal communities, and underserved neighborhoods clean up and reuse brownfield sites, properties that may be polluted or difficult to redevelop, such as old gas stations or factories.
Through the Section 128(a) Technical Assistance Grant Program, eligible applicants can request up to $20,000 to support:
• Brownfield site inventories
• Community engagement
• Training and education
• Redevelopment planning
• Technical assistance
States, tribes, and intertribal groups may apply on behalf of qualifying communities. Applicants must follow the instructions in Appendix A of the EPA’s annual Section 128(a) Funding Guidance.
The deadline to express interest is December 19, 2025
The EPA encourages first-time applicants to contact their regional Brownfields office for help. In Ohio, that’s EPA Region 5; the contact person is John Jurevis. Visit the EPA website to learn more and access full application details.
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program FY 2026
The Ohio Department of Development is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Brownfield Remediation Program, which offers $88 million in grants to support the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites across the state.
Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, port authorities, land banks, and for-profit organizations. Applicants can use the funding to remediate hazardous substances or petroleum, perform demolition, and install essential infrastructure to prepare sites for economic development.
$1 million is reserved for each county until June 30, 2026. After that date, any unused funds will be redistributed across the state in fiscal year 2027.
The deadline to apply is December 5 at 5 p.m.
For complete program guidelines and eligibility requirements, visit the Department of Development's website or the redevelopment website page.
Improving Lake Erie, One Project at a Time: 2026 Lake Erie Protection Fund Grants Now Open
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission is accepting applications for the 2026 Lake Erie Protection Fund. Grants support projects that protect and restore Lake Erie and its watershed, in line with the 2025 Lake Erie Protection and Restoration Plan, which includes:
• Reducing harmful algal blooms and controlling nutrient runoff
• Restoring and improving habitats and wetlands
• Promoting the beneficial reuse of dredge materials
• Advancing sustainable water quality and ecosystem health
• Funding Details
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to eligible applicants including units of government, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
The application deadline is January 9, 2026, and the agency will announce awards in April 2026. For questions or assistance, contact Kris Patterson at Kristina.Patterson@lakeerie.ohio.gov.
Support Lake Erie with a License Plate
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Sales of Ohio's Lake Erie license plates and direct donations fund the Lake Erie Protection Fund, which fuels local projects that protect and restore the lake. Each specialty plate contributes $15 directly to the fund, helping make a lasting impact. Learn more about the Lake Erie license plate. |
Early End to COVID Funds: What Small Ohio Governments Need to Know
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is inviting eligible small local governments in Ohio to prepare for an early closeout of their federal recovery fund awards.
These small governments, officially called Non-Entitlement Units of Local Government, received funding through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program. If your community has fully obligated and spent its SLFRF award, you may be able to close out your award before the program ends on December 31, 2026.
Treasury is offering this early closeout option on a rolling basis. If your local government has not yet received an invitation, the option may not be available yet. In the meantime, make sure your contact information is up to date in the Treasury Portal and review the SLFRF Closeout Preparation Checklist. For assistance, email Grants Partnership or SLFRF@treasury.gov.
Grants Available for Domestic Violence Services
The Ohio Department of Public Safety invites nonprofit organizations that provide emergency shelter and services for victims of domestic violence and their families to apply for federal funding.
The funding comes through the Fiscal Year 2026 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and supports nonprofit organizations that offer shelter or related services.
The funding period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Organizations must submit their applications by December 11 at 5 p.m.
If you're planning to apply for the FY 2026 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act grant, you can now watch the Voluntary Bidders Webinar that was held on November 12.
This recorded session shares helpful tips and important information to guide you through the application and review process.
Help Us Expand the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge to More Ohio Schools
The Office of Lt. Governor Jon Tressel is currently recruiting schools for the second round of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, a statewide program launched this fall to promote student health and wellness.
We’re requesting your help in sharing the message with schools and families in your community. Your outreach can increase participation and help more students gain from this enjoyable and meaningful program.
All schools are invited to participate in the challenge, including public, private, community, charter, online, and homeschool groups. Here is a one-pager with more information about the program that you can share with school leaders in your area.
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To register, have your building principals sign up their schools at TeamTressel.Ohio.gov. Schools are urged to register by November 30.
Thank you for helping us expand this exciting initiative and promote healthier futures for Ohio's students!
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Support the Arts in Your Community: Grants Now Open
The Ohio Arts Council is now accepting applications for a wide range of grant programs that support artists, educators, and arts organizations throughout the state. These grants help strengthen local arts programming, boost creative economies, and bring more cultural opportunities to Ohio communities.
In addition to state-funded programs, applicants can explore national opportunities through the Kennedy Center’s Access/VSA International Network, which supports inclusive arts education and accessibility.
The Ohio Arts Council has posted applications and complete program details on its website. Local government officials are encouraged to share this opportunity with eligible partners in their communities. Complete details and applications for all programs are now available.
Ohio Saves $23 Million
Ohio saved $23 million by refinancing $189.2 million in bonds used to fund public college and university infrastructure projects and that is good news for local government leaders!
Why? Because when the state saves money, it can ease budget pressure and keep more funding available for schools, roads, and other local services. Lower interest payments mean more dollars can go toward programs that support communities across Ohio.
This move also highlights how thoughtful financial planning can make a real difference.
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