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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use grant funds to build a community center? NO. Outdoor Recreation Grants
funds may only be used to develop outdoor facilities.
2. Who is the Chief Executive Officer for my application? If you are applying for an
incorporated city, the Mayor. If you are applying for a county, the County Judge is the
CEO. If it is a joint application with a school district, both the Mayor or County Judge
and the School Superintendent must sign the application
3. Do we need to hire someone to prepare the application for us? NO. Our applications
are designed to be self- explanatory but if you feel you need help with the process, it is
available through your local planning and development office.There are also several
private companies in the state who will assist you with your application for a fee.
4. Can a school apply for a grant? A school district can apply jointly with a city or county
for matching grant funds with the understanding that the park site must be open to the
general public at all reasonable times. Do not apply for a Matching Grant and a"FUN"
Park grant in the same year; we will only consider one application and it will usually be
the Matching Grant.
5. Can we make more than one application in a single grant cycle? NO. If you have more
than one park site for which you wish to use grant funds, then simply make a single
application including all sites.
6. Can a private individual, not-for-profit or other charitable group apply for these
grants? The answer is, not with Matching or "FUN" Park Grants. The Trails For Life
Grant program will be available to private applicants but they must apply jointly with
a city or county.
7. How much money can we apply for? The maximum grant award amount for the
Matching Grant program is $250,000.00. The "FUN" Park grant is a one time grant for
$40,000.00. The Trails For Life grants will be for $35,000.00.
8. How often are the grants awarded? All of the grant programs administered through our
office are awarded on an annual basis.
9. Once we develop a park with grant money, if we decide to close the park, can we just
return the grant money? NO. Once grant money is spent on a park that area must remain
a park in perpetuity; there is no stipulation for returning the grant funds. Our manual,
on Post Completion Responsibilities ,covers what is required of a grantee once they
finish their project.
10. What type of facilities can be built with grant funds? Most all active and passive
outdoor recreation facilities will be considered for funding in the Matching Grant
Program. Examples are: baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, basketball and tennis
courts, pavilions, picnic sites, trails, etc. The "FUN" Park Grant is more restrictive about
the facilities that must be built since it is designed to provide basic park facilities.
11. Can we apply for a grant again if we received a grant in the past? Yes. There is no limit
to the number of Matching Grants a city or county may receive, but a city can only get
one "FUN" Grant. A county may receive more than one "FUN" Grant but not for the
same location.
12. How can I find out if we have ever had a grant before? You can click on the button on
the main page of this web site that says Grant History and search by your city name,
county name or by the grant number if you happen to know that. Or you can click here
and it will take you to the same page for the information on past grants. |
