Select Priority Funding Opportunities
The fourth step is identifying funding and financing opportunities that align with your project needs, goals, and priority benefits. The below database includes 50+ available grants, but is designed to help you find the best funding opportunities to match your selected priority project as well as the contact information needed to establish relationships with the program administrators.
To narrow down the list, first, identify your applicant type. This could be “State Governments,” “Local Governments,” “Tribal Governments,” and “Other.” Next, select the project driver that best identifies the key factor that motivated you to begin the selected priority project. The project driver filter options are “Conservation & Restoration,” “Flooding,” “Infrastructure Resilience,” “Recreation,” and “Stormwater.”
From there, you can select your key project goal. The project goal filter options are “Coastal Resilience,” “Economic Development,” “Water Quality Development,” and “Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity.” The project goals often reflect your community needs.
Finally, select the state where your project will be located. From the dropdown menu, you can select “Michigan,” “Wisconsin,” or “All” for a project that will bridge across both states.
Once you’ve found your priority fund options, use the “Print This” or “Email This” buttons to save your selections.
Start exploring!
H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Program
Project Type: Construction
The H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Program, established in 2022, provides funding to local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and county engineers for the construction of conservation ditches in agricultural watersheds in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB).
Go to Grant WebsiteGrant Priorities
Participation by youth or individuals unfamiliar with wildlife related recreation is emphasized. Projects focusing on public access to property or facilities, education and informing youth in safe participation in wildlife related activities, developing long term mentorship programs in fishing, hunting and shooting sports education are encouraged. ALL SWCDs All Ohio County Engineers and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are eligible to apply for funding to construct two-stage and self-forming ditches.
Local Plan Requirements
Eligible applicants include Ohio Soil/Water Conservation Districts/Joint Board, County Activities and events must have an educational value and have a goal of increasing participant knowledge, skills, and attitudes associated with hunting and/or angling. Activities involving competition are not eligible.
Matching Requirements
Reimbursement grant –up to 100 percent project funding for conservation ditch construction in any county in Ohio
Eligible Costs
Staff time, Earthwork, Structures, Seeding. H2Ohio grant funds can only be used for the conservation ditch sections.
Project Timeline
Projects should be completed by December 31st, 2028
Application Deadline
Typically the application deadline falls in June 1, 2026. Funding is limited, and projects will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Submit an Application https://ohioepa.custhelp.com/app/apply
Contact Information
Justin McBride
Justin.McBride@agri.ohio.gov.
H2Ohio Healthy Rivers Livery Grant
The H2Ohio Healthy Rivers Livery Grant program supports canoe or kayak livery owners in removing trash from rivers and addressing long-standing cleanup needs.
Go to Grant WebsiteGrant Priorities
Strong applications will
- demonstrate clear impact on the cleanup ‘needs’ of local river(s).
- maximize river miles impacted.
- present realistic methods, timeline, and itemized budget.
- indicate a cost-share of >25%.
- partner with other groups to maximize promotion of the program.
- demonstrate understanding of eligible and ineligible costs
Local Plan Requirements
Any canoe or kayak livery registered with the ODNR Parks and Watercraft and in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State.
Grant recipients who receive funds will need to register in Ohio Pays: https://ohiopays.ohio.gov/getting-started
Eligible Costs
Types of eligible expenditures include:
- Cleanup tools (grabbers, additional bags, shovels, prybars, gloves, etc.).
- Dumpsters and associated fees.
- Special/large waste disposal.
- Events advertising and promotion.
Project Timeline
All grant expenditures and cost share contributions must occur during 2025.
Application Deadline
Typically the application deadline falls in April 10,2026
Contact Information
Jonathan Horn, H2Ohio Rivers Program Manager, Ohio Dept. Natural Resources
NatureWorks
Project Type: Construction
NatureWorks projects are funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue which was approved by Ohio voters in November 1993.
Go to Grant WebsiteGrant Priorities
The acquisition, development, or rehabilitation of public park and recreation areas.
Local Plan Requirements
Applications should propose land acquisition for one park or a project for one park. The agency must have proper control (title or at least a 15-year non-revocable lease) to be eligible for a development or rehabilitation grant.
Matching Requirements
25% match of the project total. The source for at least 20% must be local funds (non-state or non-federal funds)
Eligible Costs
The cost of acquisition, development, or rehabilitation of public park and recreation areas.
Project Timeline
The standard application deadline will be June 1st, annually. If June 1st falls on a weekend, the application deadline would be the following Monday. In some cases, appropriation of new funding is delayed which may impact the application deadline.
You must establish proof of ownership of the property to be developed or have in place an irrevocable lease on the property for, at minimum, 15 years.
Application Deadline
Applications are due July 1, 2026
Contact Information
Onsite Stormwater Loan Program
Project Type: Construction
The Onsite Stormwater Loan Program provides 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.
Go to Grant WebsiteGrant Priorities
Onsite stormwater controls on publicly owned property
Local Plan Requirements
OWDA application requirements:
- Certified engineer’s itemized cost estimate to determine eligibility
- Pass legislation authorizing signing of the loan agreement
- Complete any necessary assessment, tap-in and/or rate legislation
- Prepare a projection schedule that shows user revenues, debt service obligations, and
operation and maintenance costs over the contract term of the years of loan repayment to
OWDA
- Proposed project schedule.
Matching Requirements
Loan Term: Maximum of 15 years amortization
Loan Fees: Loan Administration Fee of 0.35% of the loan amount or $400 minimum.
Eligible Costs
Eligible costs include the following:
- Construction of onsite stormwater controls, such as bioretention, pervious pavement,
- bioswales, rain gardens, tree boxes, green roofs, infiltration basins/trenches, soil profile
- restoration, and rainwater harvesting with appropriate designated uses,
- Professional engineering services related to the eligible stormwater controls,
- Legal fees related to the application and/or project implementation, and application
- preparation,
- Site preparation, including grading, earthwork, and demolition required to support the
- eligible stormwater controls,
- Associated maintenance for the initial period of project establishment prior to owner
- acceptance, based on the project contract
Project Timeline
Typically the application deadline falls annually in March
Prior to submitting an application for the Onsite Stormwater Loan Program, please contact our Loan Officer
Application Deadline
March 2026
Contact Information
Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) – Stormwater Activities
Project Type: Construction, Technical Assistance
Ohio’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) funds planning, design, and construction of a wide variety of projects to protect or improve the quality of Ohio’s rivers, streams, lakes and other water resources. Eligible projects can include green infrastructure components such as roofs, infiltration basins, curb cuts and landscaped swales, and wetland protection and restoration.
Go to Grant WebsiteGrant Priorities
WPCLF low interest loans to address wastewater infrastructure challenges that include the following types of projects:
- Publicly-owned wastewater treatment plant and sanitary sewer system construction,
- combined sewer overflow controls,
- sewer system rehabilitation and correction of infiltration/inflow;
- Publicly-owned septage receiving facilities, septic system improvements,
- Stormwater,
- stream corridor restoration,
- agricultural runoff controls,
- source water/wellhead protection,
- green infrastructure,
- and other non-point source pollution control projects as allowed under the Clean Water Act.
Local Plan Requirements
Qualifying point source projects (including planning, design, and construction loans) that will be owned by public entities.
Integrated Priority System (IPS) rates a project by considering its protectiveness of public health, the potential uses of the water resources benefiting from the project, the restorability of the water resources to their potential uses or the protection of existing uses, and the effectiveness of the project in addressing identified sources of impairment or threat.
Matching Requirements
FY25: All planning and design loans with terms of five years or less will receive a 0% interest rate.
Currently hardship rates are available for communities with population less than 10,000 and below the state median household income benchmark.
Eligible Costs
WPCLF funding is available for the capital costs of activities listed above as long as those grey or green “infrastructure” projects protect or improve water quality.
Project Timeline
If approved, Ohio EPA will issue a PTI for your project that is valid for 18 months.
Application Deadline
Typically the application deadline falls in August
The first step is to submit a project nomination.
Contact Information
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