The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio is one of 52 solid waste management districts created by the Ohio General Assembly in 1989. Each district was established with the mission of reducing Ohio's reliance on landfills and developing recycling, disposal and re-use programs to achieve that goal.

About the Program

The SWACO General Grants Program was created as a competitive program to provide additional funding for projects specifically related to SWACO's mission..."Manage the District municipal solid waste stream to achieve environmentally responsible and cost-effective disposal, treat solid waste as a resource capable of yielding recovered materials and energy, reduce reliance on landfilling, and plan future disposal capacity for the District."

Maxi Grants

Maxi Grants are funded at $7,000 and above.

Mini Grants

Mini Grants are funded up to $7,000.

Eligibility

• Local governmental organizations including parks, townships, villages, cities, municipalities, and other governmental organizations located within SWACO's district.
• Schools including public, private and parochial, and school districts.
• Tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code within the SWACO district and not possessing a liquor license.
• SWACO makes no grants to individuals or private businesses, and reserves the sole discretion to reject any applicant or application.

Funding

There will be one round of grant funding in 2012 and priority consideration will be given to applicants not currently receiving a SWACO grant.

Match Funds Requirement

At a minimum, 25% of the total project cost must be paid as a match by the grant applicant. For example, a project with a total cost of $5,000 would be funded by the grant up to $3,750 and the minimum match would be $1,250. A match may be more than 25% of a project's total cost. The match can be financial or a combination of financial and in-kind services. Examples of in-kind services include donated labor and materials or other services.

Grant Categories

• Recycling & Waste Reduction: Purchase of recycling containers, expansion of a recycling program, collection events, etc.
• Re-use: Re-use store, book exchange event, exchange website, etc.
• Compost & Yard Waste Management: Compost bins, community assistance, workshops or seminar, etc.
• Education & Awareness: School recycling programs or educational projects, public awareness projects, surveys, waste audits, promotional campaigns, etc.
• Buy Recycled Content Product/s: Excludes the purchase of general office supplies and equipment.
• Other Projects: Projects that result in a significant waste reduction or address difficult to recycle materials.

Criteria for Projects

• Project fits SWACO's mission and guiding principles regarding waste reduction, recycling and reuse programs.
• Application follows the format and is clear, concise and well-written.
• Applicant is qualified to successfully complete the proposed project.
• Budget request is reasonable, itemized costs are justified in the project narrative, and vendor quotes are included with the application if appropriate to the project.
• A timeline is provided and a description of how the match requirement can be met.
• Applicants that have already received a SWACO grant may have a lower priority.

Allowable Costs

Grant funds can only be used for the purposes as outlined in the Grant Categories and Criteria For Projects sections in this document.

Unallowable Costs

Grant funds may not be used for the following:

• Solid waste collection containers, equipment or activities.
• Any grant-related expenditure or purchase made prior to the receipt of the executed grant agreement.
• Salaries and benefits.
• General office supplies and equipment.
• Overhead costs or indirect costs.
• Research costs
• Membership fees, dues, entertainment, events serving alcohol, and travel costs.
• Transportation or shipping costs.
• Signs other than those required or approved by SWACO.

Record Keeping

The Grantee must keep accurate records of all project expenses, including vendor invoices, receipts, proof of payment such as canceled checks and any related documents that account for all expenditures of grant funds and match funds. Inventories must include the name, model number, serial number, recycled content information, and description of products, materials and equipment purchased. SWACO will conduct an on-site visit as appropriate or request photographs to verify project activities and/or purchases, installations, etc.

Application Procedure and Timeline

• Announcement: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
• Due Date: Friday, May 18, 2012
• Notice of Awards: June 2012

All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by SWACO. Upon approval a Grant Agreement will be executed between the parties.

Grant Agreement

A Grant Agreement between SWACO and the Grantee will specify the following minimum conditions:

• Use grant funds only for approved and allowable activities.
• Submit a Final Report summarizing the project, the expenses and results.
• Submit an invoice on letterhead and include all receipts, invoices, proof of payment such as copies of cancelled checks, and any related documents on any expenditures of grant funds and match funds.
• SWACO may conduct a site visit and/or request the applicant to submit photos of the project.

Payment Schedule

This is a reimbursement grant.

Grantees are required to pay in advance any costs directly associated with the project prior to being reimbursed by SWACO according to the Grant Agreement. Grantees must submit an invoice on letterhead with the total amount due, along with a list of expenditures of both grant and match funds according to the grant approved budget. All receipts, invoices, proof of payment such as copies of canceled checks and any other appropriate documents must be included.

Timeline and Revisions

The grant period is twelve (12) months from the effective date of the Grant Agreement, and Grantees are encouraged to close out the grant as soon as possible. The grant period may be extended upon written approval by SWACO based on special circumstances. SWACO reserves the right to accept or deny any extension request. Grantees must discuss any revision request with SWACO before submitting a written request for any revisions to the grant. Requests should be very specific and justified, and include a revised budget if applicable. SWACO reserves the right to accept or deny any revision request.

Application and Additional Information

A grant Application Form is attached (Attachment A). If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact:

Kristi Higginbotham, Outreach and Programs Manager
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
4239 London-Groveport Road, Grove City, Ohio 43123
Tel: 614-871-5100 Fax: 614-871-5103
Email: kristi.higginbotham@swaco.org

Promotion

A Promotion/Publicity Approval Request (Attachment B) must be approved by SWACO for any press releases, media events or publicity. All such promotions and events shall include recognition of SWACO as providing assistance on the project. The Grantee will install a SWACO-approved permanent plaque to be displayed on or near the project, if possible, which will identify that SWACO has provided partial funding. Without SWACO's pre-approval, reimbursement of expenses for the promotional publicity or media event may be disallowed.

Reports and Administration

A Final Report (Attachment C) on the project is required no later than two weeks after the grant expiration date or on early completion of the project. A site visit, if appropriate, will be scheduled in advance to document Grantee has accomplished the project objective and to verify compliance with the Grant Agreement.

Attachment A: Application Form
Attachment B: Promotion/Publicity Approval Request
Attachment C: Final Report