PA ROAD SALT ACTION
Working together for smarter winter maintenance and cleaner Pennsylvania waters
Grant Funding Sources
PARSA has created this database of grant opportunities and other relevant resources that could be used for projects related to road salt pollution. These grants are offered by the federal government, state government, local governments, or non-profit/charitable foundations.
Below is detailed information on how to use the database and how to apply for grants.
If you need further information or assistance, contact PARSA at paroadsaltactionwg@gmail.com
How should I use this database?
-
You can use this database as a starting place for developing and funding solutions in your area. You may want to share this list with your municipality to offer a tangible path toward an intervention. A watershed or environmental organization to which you belong may want to lead the charge on applying for a grant to solve a problem through new technology, infrastructure, or restoration.
-
There are two tabs in the workbook (along the bottom of the screen): The “grant links” tab lists information and links to grants that might be relevant; the “other useful resources” tab gives links to other grant databases and organizations that offer technical support in grant writing, budgeting, project management, etc.
What organizations are eligible to apply for these grants?
-
All of the grants in this database are open to PA municipalities and/or non-profits. Other eligibility requirements (e.g., geographic, etc.) are listed in the database for a specific grant.
What types of projects are funded by these grants?
-
None of the grants on this list are specific to road salt pollution. That means that applicants may have to think a little bit creatively and collaboratively about how to “fit” a project into the scope of the grant.
-
For the most part, the grants in this database are allocated to new or upgraded infrastructure and/or shovel-ready restoration and mitigation projects. In some cases, the grants will fund studies and design that support new infrastructure or restoration. The scope and focus of each grant varies, so please read through the descriptions and reach out to the contact people listed on the website for more information.
How do I get started?
-
Describe the problem and goal: What do you want to accomplish? Try to be specific and write down the what, where, and why that motivates your proposal.
-
List your interest-holders: Who should be involved or consulted? Make a list of the groups that have some interest or decision-making power related to your proposal.
-
Build collaboration: Reach out to interest-holders and your network. What time, resources, and knowledge can these people contribute to the effort? What skills are missing from your team, and can the resources listed in the “other useful resources” tab help fill in holes? Has anyone on your team written or submitted a grant before? If not, try to add this expertise by tapping your network.
-
Find appropriate grants: Read through the information in the database and linked websites to identify grant opportunities that fit the scope of what you want to do. Reach out to the contact people for guidance if you’re not sure.
-
Get writing: Prepare your application, giving yourself plenty of lead time to assemble all the required materials and check the formatting and detail requirements!
What is “match” and how do we get it?
-
Matching funds, or “match”, describes financial resources that supplement the resources provided in a grant. Match can include money that has already been spent on the project (depending on the time constraints listed by the funder), money that has been allocated or committed to the project, or money that supported salary or equipment related to the development of the project. Match can also include in-kind contributions like volunteer labor and donated goods and services, provided the value of these contributions can be quantified and verified.