Grants and Funding Opportunities

Federal and state grant programs are a valuable resource for counties. They offer a funding stream for specific projects that might otherwise have to be funded through the General Fund, if they would even be pursued at all. 

This page provides a listing of available grant programs through both the federal government and the state government. It will be updated as application windows open and close and as new programs are announced. If you are aware of a program that is not listed but you believe should be, please email Research Analyst Nick Ciolli.

If you have questions specific to a particular grant, please contact the applicable member of the Policy Team:

  • Managing Director of Policy Kyle Petty: Justice and public safety
  • Senior Policy Analyst Jon Honeck: General government functions, infrastructure
  • Outreach and Member Engagement Manager Rachel Reedy: General government functions, human services, workforce development
  • Policy Analyst James Kennedy: Water quality, rural affairs

Two notes regarding the "Eligibility Criteria" column in the tables below: First, only the criteria under which county governments can apply are listed. An entry of "county governments" is not meant to imply that the grant is available to only counties. Second, some of the grant programs listed below may not be available to county governments. These are listed because, while the county itself may be unable to apply, other organizations such as non-profits may be able to, and the purpose of the grant is one of value that counties may recommend organizations apply for. These grants will be noted as such under the "Eligibility Criteria" column by the inclusion of "[non-county grant]".

State Grant Programs

Grant Program

Brief Summary

Eligibility Criteria

Amount Available

Application Due Date
Deflection and Pre-arrest Diversion Program To support communities to plan, develop, and implement efforts that identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by opioids, stimulants, and other substances. Counties, law enforcement agencies

$4 million available

April 30
Nature Works Grant Program To provide reimbursement assistance for local governments for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas. Local governments

Max award per county: $150,000

 June 1
All Ohio Future Fund To make strategic investments across the state of Ohio to increase the stateʼs inventory of project-ready economic development sites. Counties $750 million available Rolling applications
Grade Crossing Elimination Program To fund projects that eliminate existing public, at-grade railroad-highway crossings. Local governments that own roads. County engineers must apply for counties $100 million available No Deadline

 

Due to the volume of available federal grants, instead of presenting them in a single table as done for state grants, they are grouped into tables based on what month the applications are due.

In addition to this page, another useful resource for information regarding federal grants available to counties is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resource page hosted by NACo. Some may be posted here as well but we recommend you keep tabs on both pages.

Counties may also find the following links regarding how to use SAM.gov, the main federal intergovernmental assistance portal, useful: A presentation slide deck and the accompanying recording, as well as a one-page guide.

2024 Closing Date