Oklahoma Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Matching Fund Program

The Oklahoma Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Matching Fund Program (ODMRMF) is a state-administered funding initiative established to provide dedicated financial support to local and regional entities seeking to access federal disaster mitigation and recovery funding. The program is overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, specifically through its Community Development Division, with funding sourced from the State Treasury. The program is designed to strengthen the capacity of eligible regional organizations to secure federal funds by providing the necessary non-federal match or leverage, which is often a requirement for federal disaster-related grants. The primary purpose of the ODMRMF is to enable Substate Planning Districts and Councils of Government within Oklahoma to maximize their competitiveness for federal disaster mitigation and recovery programs. By offering state-level matching funds, the program reduces financial barriers that may prevent local entities from pursuing federal funding opportunities. The program supports both preventative mitigation activities and recovery efforts following disasters, ensuring communities are better prepared for and resilient against future hazards. Eligible applicants are strictly defined as Substate Planning Districts or Councils of Government, including entities such as ACOG, ASCOG, COEDD, EODD, and others listed by the program. These organizations are required to apply through the OKGrants system, which serves as the centralized application portal. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with awards distributed depending on the availability of funds at the time of application. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce retains full discretion in determining award amounts in alignment with state priorities and program goals. Funds awarded through the ODMRMF must be used exclusively as matching or leverage funds for federal grants that address disaster mitigation or recovery. Eligible uses include projects aimed at preventing or repairing damage caused by hazards such as tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, high winds, heavy snow, hail, freezing rain, and seismic disturbances. However, there are clear restrictions on the use of funds. The program explicitly prohibits expenditures on salaries, employee benefits, or the acquisition of real or personal property, ensuring that funds are directed toward project-specific mitigation and recovery efforts. The application process requires submission through the OKGrants platform and includes several mandatory components. Applicants must complete an application summary and certification, submit a detailed line-item budget, provide a current audit compliant with state administrative code, and upload a completed W-9 form. Additionally, applicants must include verification of leverage to demonstrate the associated federal funding and a comprehensive project description. This project description must contain a title page, narrative, project contacts, budget table identifying all funding sources, and one to three maps illustrating project locations. While the program guidance does not specify formal evaluation criteria, the requirement for detailed documentation suggests that applications are assessed based on completeness, alignment with federal funding opportunities, and the strength of the proposed project. Contact information is provided for program leadership, including Marshall Vogts, Kellon Dixon, and Jade Shain, who serve as points of contact for application-related inquiries. The program does not specify fixed deadlines, indicating a rolling or open application structure tied to funding availability rather than a recurring cycle.