Coastal Management Assistance Grant

The Coastal Management Assistance Grants program is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources through its Office of Coastal Management as part of the Ohio Coastal Management Program. Funding for the program is provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Since its inception in 1998, the program has supported a wide range of projects designed to improve and protect Ohio’s Lake Erie coastal resources, with more than $8 million in grant funding distributed across over 150 projects. When combined with required non-federal matching funds, total investment in supported projects exceeds $13 million, demonstrating a strong emphasis on leveraging local and state participation. The purpose of the program is to support projects that enhance coastal resource management, environmental quality, and public access within Ohio’s designated coastal area. Eligible project types include water quality improvement initiatives, coastal planning efforts, educational programming, land acquisition, research, habitat restoration, and projects that improve public access to Lake Erie and its tributaries. Additional eligible uses include feasibility studies, engineering reports, redevelopment of underutilized waterfront areas, protection of wetlands and dunes, and preservation of cultural or historical coastal resources. All proposed activities must align with coastal management objectives and receive approval if outside explicitly listed categories. Funding is competitive and awarded annually, with approximately $200,000 to $300,000 available each year. Individual applicants may request between $25,000 and $150,000 in federal funds. A strict 1:1 non-federal match is required, meaning applicants must provide matching funds equal to the requested federal amount. Federal funds generally cannot be used to meet this requirement, with limited exceptions such as Community Development Block Grants. All awarded funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring recipients to incur and document eligible expenses prior to reimbursement. Eligibility is limited to a defined set of public and institutional entities. Eligible applicants include local government units such as municipalities, counties, townships, park districts, port authorities, and school districts, as well as state agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. However, only public entities are permitted to receive funding for construction, engineering, or land acquisition projects, which introduces an important distinction in project eligibility depending on the nature of the proposed work. The application process follows a two-stage structure beginning with a required pre-proposal submission, typically due in early fall around September or October. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full application, which is generally due in December. Applications must be submitted electronically via email and include a comprehensive set of required forms and documentation. These include a primary application form along with supplemental materials such as a budget detail spreadsheet, financial audit documentation, authorization resolution, data sharing plan, federal consistency certification, and additional forms depending on project type. The application requires detailed project descriptions, expected deliverables, measurable outcomes, methodology, timelines, and documentation of matching funds. Projects funded through this program must begin no earlier than July 1 of the following year after award decisions are made. Applicants are expected to clearly define project tasks, timelines, and measurable impacts, including benefits to coastal resources such as improved water quality, enhanced habitat, or increased public access. Public participation and dissemination of project outcomes are also required components of funded projects. An annual informational webinar is typically held to guide prospective applicants through the program requirements and provide best practices for developing competitive proposals. The program operates on an annual cycle and is expected to recur each year, with consistent timelines for pre-proposals, full applications, and project start dates. Applicants are encouraged to prepare early due to the structured timeline and extensive documentation requirements. Contact for the program is provided through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Office of Coastal Management, which also offers guidance and assistance throughout the application process.

Emphasize measurable coastal impact outcomes; clearly define deliverables tied to grant funds; demonstrate alignment with coastal management goals; ensure match funding is well documented