In Wisconsin, the OSG program is still under development. Please contact the program managers listed below for the most up-to-date information.

OSG program guidelines prioritize:

• Investment in projects in rural and/or financially distressed communities. At least 25% of the program funds must be awarded to rural and/or financially distressed communities. For purposes of the OSG program in Wisconsin, rural communities are those with less than 10,000 residents and financially distressed communities are those that have small populations, low household income, high poverty rates, expected population loss, and high unemployment.
• Investments in green infrastructure projects. At least 20% of the funds must be awarded to green infrastructure. Eligible GSI projects include rainwater harvesting collection, storage, management, and distribution systems, infiltration basins, constructed wetlands, bioretention/bioswales, and shoreline creation, protection, and restoration.

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s eligibility requirements.

As the OSG program is still being developed, please contact the grant administrators listed in the “Contact Information” section below to confirm whether the inclusion of the project in the CIP or local plans are required for the OSG program.

Click on the next section to learn more about the matching requirements for this funding opportunity.

Projects funded by OSG grants may be required to provide a 45-50% match from non-federal funds. Potential sources of matching funds include:

• State grants
• Private contributions for businesses or non-profits
• In-kind services
• CWSRF loan dollars that qualify as “non-federal.”

In Wisconsin, matching requirements can likely be met with a grant from the Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water Management Grant because those grants are funded with State bond revenue. By pooling these grants, a recipient could potentially receive 100% of project funding through grants.

Further, OSG grant recipients that qualify as rural or disadvantaged communities may not be required to provide cost-share. Those matching funds must be from another source. And the percent cost-share, i.e., match, should be reduced when awarded to rural or disadvantaged communities.

Given that the Wisconsin program is still being developed, details about the match percentage and sources should be discussed with DNR staff using the “Contact Information” section below.

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s eligible costs.

The OSG program provides up to 55% of eligible project costs. Eligible costs include:

• Planning and design; and
• Construction.

Ineligible costs include:

• Operations and maintenance;
• Staff salaries; and
• Usual operating expenses.

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s project timeline.

Projects funded with OSG grants must be completed within four years of the grant award.

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s application deadline and forms.

In Wisconsin, DNR aligned the OSG program deadlines with the Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water Management Grant. Accordingly, OSG grant applications are due by April 15 of the calendar year prior to the awarded grant start year and are only accepted in odd years. For example, for a grant award in 2026, the application deadline would be April 15, 2025.

In Wisconsin, the application form for the OSG program is available on DNR’s website here. You can find additional additional resources here. The OSG application process is the same as the Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water Management Grant program. In other words, these programs have the same application.

Click on the next section for the contact information for this funding opportunity.

Wisconsin Statewide Contact:
Corinne Johnson, Grant Program Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (608) 720-0120

Wisconsin Statewide Contact:
Joanna Griffin, Runoff Management Grants Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (608) 400-9519

Wisconsin Regional Contact:
Jessiah Bennett, Water Resources Management Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (414) 458-0448