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
  • Outreach and Member Engagement Manager Rachel Reedy: General government functions, human services, workforce development
  • Policy Analyst James Kennedy: Water quality, rural affairs, infrastructure

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
Local Tobacco Prevention and Control Grant To prevent young people from using tobacco and nicotine products, to help adults quit, and other tobacco use cessation efforts. Local Public Health Agencies $3,937,000 available February 24
Lake Erie Forestry Assistance Grant Program To provide training and financial support for natural resource professionals so that they can better serve landowners in the management of woodland resources. Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the Lake Erie watershed. Max award: $20,000 February 28
Benefits Bridge Employer Pilot Program To provide funding to employers to offer training programs to participating employees who are recipients of public assistance programs to encourage the employees to take advantage of training programs.

Employers

(Non-County)

 Up to $5,000 per employee, no more than $100,000 per employer June 30
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
Onsite Stormwater Loan Program To provide financial assistance for stormwater management projects that focus on treating stormwater at its source to minimize, avoid, or offset impacts on water resources and reduce flow to sewers or surface waters. Local governments meeting certain criteria Maximum: $5 million 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.

 

Federal Grant Programs

Grant Program

Brief Summary

Eligibility Criteria

Amount Available

Application Due Date
Continuum of Care Youth Homelessness Demonstration Grants To support the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth (age 24 and younger) homelessness and sharing that experience with and mobilizing communities around the country toward the same end.

Local governments

 $3.5 billion (minus total of awards granted in 2024) August 29
Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program To develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as providing an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

Public bodies serving rural areas with a population of no more than 20,000

 Not listed Rolling Applications
Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program To provide funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Local governments serving rural areas with a population of less than 10,000

 Not listed Rolling Applications

 

None at this time.