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 CCAO Policy Team.

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

County Coastal Erosion Control Loan Program To provide financing for construction of erosion control structures in coastal erosion areas.

Counties with Lake Erie shoreline containing coastal erosion areas:

Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky

Unspecified total, no maximum per request May 22, 2026
Dam Safety Loan Program To provide financing for planning, design, and construction of dams and repairs. Counties, county sewer districts, and soil and water conservation districts, among others Maximum loan: $7.5 million May 22, 2026
H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Program To fund construction of two-stage and self-forming ditches. Soil and water conservation districts and county engineers Unspecified, funding model is reimbursement June 1, 2026
Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program To reimburse for the cost of testing sexual assault kits, including capacity building for agencies that complete sexual assault investigations Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and crime labs Unspecified, funding model is reimbursement June 10, 2026
Extradition Reimbursement Program To reimburse LEAs for the cost of in-state and out-of-state extraditions. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutor's offices Unspecified total, no maximum per request; No match June 10, 2026

 

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.

Federal grants often have broad eligibility criteria due to the diversity of local governments across the nation. If there are certain requirements that a government must meet, it is is noted; otherwise, "General Availability" denotes a program that most counties will be able to apply for.

Federal Grant Programs

Grant Program

Brief Summary

Eligibility Criteria

Amount Available

Application Due Date

Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Program To support the implementation of intervention and suppression strategies to reduce youth gang crime and to promote public safety. General Availability

Maximum award: $500,000

No match required

May 21, 2026
Rural Law Enforcement Violent Crime Reduction Initiative To support rural law enforcement and prosecutors through implementation of a crime reduction strategy that utilizes at least one of three specified approaches.

Counties serving rural areas

Maximum award: $400,000

No match required

May 27, 2026
De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program To support the development, implementation, and/or expansion of de-escalation and crisis response training programs that improve law enforcement responses to and outcomes for individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions or physical or intellectual disabilities. General Availability

Maximum award: $700,000

No match required

June 6, 2026
Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program To assist in the assessment and management of landslide risks through hazard mapping, public education, and community preparedness. General Availability

Maximum award: $250,000

No match required

June 10, 2026
Defense Community Infrastructure Program To address deficiencies in community infrastructure supportive of a military installation. Counties in proximity to a military installation

Maximum award: $20 million

Local match of at least 30% (limited exceptions apply)

June 25, 2026
Title X Family Planning Services Grants To promote the general family planning programs and goals under Title X of the Public Health Service Act. General Availability

Maximum award: $22 million

Local match of between 1% and 10%

January 9, 2027

 

None at this time.