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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 $45,000.00. 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. |