Connecting Communities Grant

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Connecting Communities Grant is a locally administered funding initiative designed to expand access to outdoor recreation across a defined multi county service area in Ohio. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, a regional agency responsible for conservation, flood control, and recreational development, has long invested in parks, trails, and waterfront amenities. This program represents a strategic extension of that mission by directing funds beyond district owned properties and into surrounding communities to enhance public access to outdoor spaces. The initiative is funded through oil and gas revenue generated within the watershed, reflecting a reinvestment approach that channels natural resource development proceeds back into community infrastructure. The primary purpose of the program is to support capital projects that create or improve permanent outdoor recreational infrastructure. Eligible project types include trail construction or expansion, playground installations, waterfront access improvements such as docks or launches, accessibility enhancements, park facility upgrades, and land acquisition intended for recreational development. All funded projects must demonstrate measurable public benefit, long term usability, and a clear connection to outdoor recreation. The program explicitly excludes funding for programming, events, staffing, operational costs, or temporary improvements, emphasizing instead durable infrastructure with lasting community impact. Funding for the program totals one million dollars for the initial pilot year, with individual grant requests required to be at least twenty five thousand dollars. While no formal maximum award amount is specified, the funder intends to distribute funding across multiple projects. Grant funds are provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must incur and document expenses before receiving payment. Applicants are required to provide a minimum ten percent match of total project costs, and proposals demonstrating higher levels of leveraged funding or partnerships may receive more favorable evaluation scores. Projects are generally expected to be completed within twelve months of award unless otherwise approved. Eligibility is limited to political subdivisions within the State of Ohio, including municipalities, counties, townships, and park districts, as well as nonprofit organizations with federal tax exempt status under section 501c3. All applicants must be located within and propose projects that serve one of the counties within the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District service area. Projects must ensure reasonable and ongoing public access, and applicants must demonstrate site control prior to execution of a grant agreement through documentation such as ownership, lease agreements, or formal partnerships. The application process requires submission of a detailed proposal outlining project scope, community need, anticipated benefits, and implementation timeline. Applicants must provide an itemized budget, project maps or plans, and supporting documentation such as photographs, governing body resolutions, or nonprofit determination letters where applicable. Additional materials such as conceptual designs or engineering estimates are encouraged to strengthen applications. Applicants must also confirm their ability to complete the project within a twelve month timeframe and agree to provide long term public access. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including the extent to which the project expands public access to outdoor recreation, the level of community impact, project readiness and feasibility, financial leverage, and long term sustainability. Projects that are shovel ready, demonstrate strong community support, and improve access for underserved populations are particularly competitive. Successful applicants are required to enter into a formal agreement, submit reimbursement documentation, and provide a final report documenting project completion and anticipated usage. The application deadline for the primary grant program is September 1, with award announcements expected in November. In addition to the main program, a Small Opportunity Grant is available for smaller scale, time sensitive projects with awards ranging from five thousand to twenty five thousand dollars and offered on a rolling basis. This supplemental funding stream follows similar eligibility and project requirements but is designed for quicker implementation and immediate community benefit.

Emphasize shovel ready status strong community impact measurable public benefit and higher matching funds to improve competitiveness