Show Me The Money!

Township officials are encouraged to take advantage of the many grant opportunities currently available! 

WalkWorks Active Transportation Grants: The Pennsylvania Department of Health and Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s initiative, WalkWorks, has announced its eighth round of assistance to advance active transportation in the state. Townships are eligible to apply for grants and technical assistance to assist with the development of Active Transportation Plans during 2024 and 2025. Active transportation includes walking, biking, using a wheelchair or other mobility device, and accessing public transit.  

Applications will be accepted through 5:00 PM on March 22, 2024, via email to pawalkworks@padowntown.org. Interested townships are encouraged to register for an informational webinar on Wednesday, February 7, at noon. For more information, including funding announcement and application form, visit the WalkWorks website.  


PCCD Grants: The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has $7 million in federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Funding for local governments and nonprofits to use toward system-wide enhancements, including advancing justice system reform, crime reduction, violence prevention efforts, and innovative community violence intervention strategies.

PCCD expects to fund approximately 30 to 35 grants with budgets not to exceed $250,000 over a two-year project period. Townships are eligible to apply until March 28, 2024. Interested township officials can find more information on PCCD’s active funding announcements webpage. Questions should be sent to ra-pccd-ocjsi@pa.gov with “2024/25 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)” in the subject line. Questions are due March 12, 2024. To view the press release, click here.  


Snowmobile and ATV Grants: The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is accepting applications for the next round of All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile Grants. Townships are eligible to apply through March 29, 2024, and no match is required. Eligible projects include planning, land acquisition, development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of snowmobile and/or ATV trails and facilities. 

More information can be found on DCNR’s grant application portal. For assistance with the portal, contact (800) 326-7734 or DCNR-Grants@pa.gov.


Community Conservation Partnerships Grants: The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will accept applications for the 2024 round of Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grants from January 16, 2024 through April 3, 2024

C2P2 grants can be used for projects related to parks, recreation, and conservation, including:    

  • Planning, acquisition, and development of public parks  
  • Recreation areas   
  • Motorized and non-motorized trails   
  • River conservation and access   
  • Conservation of open space   
  • Community and Watershed Forestry   

Projects will be selected, in part, on how they align to the priorities outlined in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2020-2024. Most projects will require a 50% matching contribution. DCNR Regional Advisors are available to discuss match requirements & eligibility.


2024 Abandoned Mine Land and Acid Mine Drainage Grants: The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced 2024 funding rounds for the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) and Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Grant Program. Townships, councils of government, and municipal authorities are eligible to apply through the Commonwealth’s Electronic Single Application

DEP will accept applications during the following application rounds:  

  • Application Round 1—February 19, 2024 through April 5, 2024 
  • Application Round 2—June 3, 2024 through July 19, 2024 
  • Application Round 3—September 23, 2024 through November 8, 2024 

Eligible projects must reclaim or enhance AML sites posing a threat to the environment and/or public health and safety. Sites must be determined to be eligible by the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, entered into AML inventory systems, and, in most cases, be associated with a coal mine that was abandoned prior to August 3, 1977.    

For AML/AMD grant program guidance and application instructions, please visit DEP’s website. Questions can be directed to RA-EPAMGrantProgram@pa.gov or (717) 783-2267. 


Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program: The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has announced the availability of funds through the COVID-19 ARPA Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program, which offers $45 million in competitive grants for community projects to construct, acquire, or improve open-to-the-public facilities. 

Townships are eligible to apply through April 20, 2024. Eligible projects include construction or improvements to full-service community buildings, structures, and public spaces. Examples include, but are not limited to, recreation centers, libraries, community health centers, and any other township-owned or operated buildings. 


DEP Act 101 Recycling Program Grants: DEP has announced a new grant round to support municipal recycling programs under Section 902 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 (Act 101). Townships, councils of governments, or similar entities established by two or more municipalities compliant with Act 101 are eligible to apply through May 10, 2024. 

Eligible projects must involve municipalities with a mandatory trash collection program or support a residential recycling program with a corresponding commercial recycling program. Funding is available to cover up to 90% of approved recycling program costs including, but not limited to: design costs, development of recycling program ordinances or public education programs, costs of developing contracts for procuring equipment or services, purchasing or leasing vehicles to collect recyclables, and acquiring or renovating buildings. 

Applications must be submitted through DCED’s Electronic Single Application site. Interested townships must first contact a DEP regional planning and recycling coordinator to schedule a preapplication conference to be considered for funding. Questions can be directed to Mark Vottero, DEP Municipal Recycling Implementation Section Group Manager, at 717-772-5719, mvottero@pa.gov.


DCED Act 13 Grants: The state Department of Community and Economic Development is accepting applications for Act 13 programs until May 31, 2024. Several grant programs are funded by impact fees from natural gas wells under Act 13 of 2012:      

  • Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) Abatement & Treatment Program: Townships may apply for grants to reclaim abandoned mine wells, remediate and repair existing AMD project sites, and monitor water quality to track non-point source load reductions from AMD remediation projects.
  • Baseline Water Quality Data Program: Townships may apply for grants to establish baseline water quality data, including water sample collection and analysis, on private water supplies using the Baseline Water Quality Data program.
  • Flood Mitigation Program: Townships may apply for grants to perform flood mitigation projects.
  • Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program: Townships may apply for funding to plan, acquire, develop, rehabilitate, and repair greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks, and beautification projects.
  • Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging Program: Townships may apply for grants to clean out and plug abandoned and orphan oil and gas wells, stray gas mitigation systems, and well venting projects.
  • Sewage Facilities Program: Townships may apply for grants to offset costs associated with the planning work required under Act 537, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.
  • Watershed Restoration and Protection Program: Townships may apply for grants to construct, expand, repair, maintain, or rehabilitate new or existing watershed protection best management practices.

For more information, click on the grant program links above or call DCED at (717) 787-6245.


CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund: The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) is accepting grant applications for its Multimodal Transportation Fund. Townships are eligible to apply through until July 31, 2024 through DCED’s online single application for assistance. Please note this opportunity is separate from PennDOT’s Multimodal Program.   

The CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable transportation system is available to commonwealth residents. Eligible projects include projects which coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities; the development, rehabilitation, and enhancement of transportation assets; streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, and pedestrian safety projects; and connectivity of transportation assets, and transit-oriented development.    

For more information, including frequently asked questions and an application checklist, visit DCED’s grants page.  


EPA Community Change Grants: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the new Environmental and Justice Community Change Grants program. $2 billion in funding is available for technical assistance and competitive awards to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. Townships are eligible to apply if partnering with a community-based non-profit and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until November 21, 2024. 

For more information, including frequently asked questions, webinar recordings, and link to apply, visit EPA’s website. Questions can be directed to CCGP@epa.gov


Ongoing Opportunities:

Statewide Waterway Access Mini Grants: The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) administers the new Statewide Waterway Access Mini Grant Program. This program, supported by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is designed to help meet growing demand for non-motorized boating opportunities. Townships are eligible to apply and awards will be granted on a rolling basis. 

Grants of up to $30,000 are available to create new or improve existing access points along the region’s rivers, streams, and waterways. Eligible projects include acquisition, engineering, construction, and rehabilitation projects which benefit and directly support non-motorized recreational boating. A one-to-one match is required. For more information, visit POWR’s website


Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grants: USDA Rural Development administers the Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program to provide clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, and storm water drainage in eligible rural areas. Townships with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible to apply for funding to finance the acquisition, construction, or improvement of:  

  • Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution 
  • Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal 
  • Solid waste collection, disposal and closure 
  • Storm water collection, transmission and disposal 

Applications are accepted year-round and may be filed electronically using RD Apply or through your township’s Local RD office


Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants: USDA Rural Development administers Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to help communities prepare for, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Events that qualify as an emergency include, but are not limited to, droughts, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and chemical spills. Townships with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible to apply for funds for the following purposes: 

  • Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and address related maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply 
  • Water source grants up to $1,000,000 for the construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants, and/or other sources of water (water source up to and including the treatment plant) 

Applications are accepted year-round. Interested townships are encouraged to contact the Pennsylvania state program specialist prior to filling out any forms or applications for this opportunity. 


Municipal Assistance Program: DCED’s Governor’s Center for Local Government Services offers the Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) to provide funding to assist local governments to plan for and efficiently implement a variety of services and improvements, and soundly manage development with an emphasis on intergovernmental approaches. Funding is available for two groups of activities: shared services, and community planning. Townships are eligible to apply throughout the year to cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs related to:

  • Community Planning: Planning activities to support community and economic development, including, the development of comprehensive community plans, land use ordinances, and Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) studies
  • Shared Services: Intergovernmental cooperation initiatives including, regional police and fire services, shared personnel agreements, and boundary change studies

For more information including program fact sheet, guidelines, and link to apply, visit DCED’s MAP website.


Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Grants: The Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Maintenance Program is a non-point source pollution control program for local municipal road officials. Under this program, the State Conservation Commission provides grant funding through county conservation districts to townships to eliminate stream pollution caused by runoff and sediment from dirt, gravel and low volume roads

Grants may be used for expenses related to the implementation of environmentally sound road maintenance practices on dirt and gravel roads and low volume paved roads. Townships may apply to the conservation districts for grant funding. Conservation districts establish their own grant application periods. Applicants must attend a two-day “Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance” training. For additional information, contact your county DGLVR program specialist.


The Pipeline Investment Program Grants: The Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) provides grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines to business parks, existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which will result in the creation of new economic base jobs in the commonwealth while providing access to natural gas for residents. Funds may be used for acquisition, construction, and site preparation costs associated with extending natural gas pipelines to serve eligible applicants. Townships are eligible to apply for funding throughout the year. A 50% match of the total project cost is required. For more information, visit DCED’s website or email ra-dcedsitedvpt@pa.gov.


Peer and Circuit Rider Local Capacity Building Project Funding: The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers grant programs to fund projects that help municipalities, multi-municipal partnerships, and council of governments to increase local capacity for recreation, parks and conservation.

  • The Peer Program is available to assist municipal entities with hiring a professional consultant to study specialized small-scale issues. A minimum ten percent (10%) local cash match is required. 
  • The Circuit Rider Program provides grant funds for regional organizations, including Council of Governments and multi-municipal entities, to hire a professional, full-time staff person. This is a four-year commitment of funding. Match is variable based on the year of funding.

Townships are eligible to apply for funding throughout the year. All applicants must contact Kelly Rossiter before applying at 717-772-3319 or krossiter@pa.gov. For additional information, including frequently asked questions and grant instructions, visit DCNR’s Grants website.


Clean Energy Tax Credits: The U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service issued guidance on accessing clean energy tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA’s “elective pay” provisions allow townships, for the first time, to be able to receive a payment equal to the full value of tax credits for building qualifying clean energy projects. Townships can also transfer certain tax credits through a process known as “transferability” to other parties.  

Tax credits eligible for direct payment or transferability include projects that generate clean electricity through solar, wind, and battery storage projects; installing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure; and purchasing clean vehicles for vehicle fleets. Please note, the tax credit for commercial EVs is up to $7,500 for vehicles under 14,000 pounds and up to $40,000 for vehicles over 14,000 pounds. Only certain vehicles are eligible for the credit, as there are manufacturing and final assembly requirements.  

Townships can refer to the National Association of Towns and Township’s Guidance to Accessing Clean Energy Credits for additional information, as well as the IRS’s Frequently Asked Questions document or the White House fact sheet on direct pay.  


Pilot Program for Economic Development: The Shapiro Administration announced a new pilot program, PA SITES, which will make $10 million in grant funding available to help municipalities and authorities prepare “shovel ready” sites to attract and retain businesses. Grants may be used for transportation access improvements, utility extensions, or grading of pad-ready sites, including redevelopment of previously used or underused sites. Click here for the press release and here for program guidelines. 


USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. Rural townships with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible to apply for grants and low-interest direct loans to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. 

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and/or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment, and pay related project expenses. Essential community facilities include public facilities (municipal buildings, courthouses, street improvements); community support services (community centers, fairgrounds); public safety services (fire departments, police stations, public works vehicles or equipment); and more. Townships are eligible to apply for funding throughout the year. For more information, visit the Community Facilities Program website or call the PA Rural Development office at (717) 237-2299. 


The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has grant funding to support the recruitment of approximately 2,000 new full-time law enforcement officers throughout the commonwealth. This solicitation is open to local law enforcement agencies to support Act 120 mandatory training and recruitment activities for law enforcement officers provided through the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC). 

Supported by funding through the Local Law Enforcement Support (LLES) Grant Program established under Act 54 of 2022, eligible law enforcement agencies that do not cover the costs of Act 120 training can request up to $7,000 per new officer to support costs associated with the training or, if they currently hire officers that are already Act 120 trained or the agency already covers training costs, apply for up to $5,000 per new officer to support stipends, signing bonuses, or marketing efforts. Priority consideration in awards will go to law enforcement agencies serving areas with high rates of violent crime and that have low clearance rates for violent crimes. 

Applicants can find more information on funding requirements and how to apply on PCCD’s active funding announcements webpage. The solicitation will remain open until all funding is committed. Awards will be announced on a rolling basis. 


U.S. Department of Transportation Grant Dashboard: The DOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard is a helpful resource developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide communities with an overview of grant opportunities related to transportation infrastructure needs. Townships can use the “Eligible Applicants” dropdown tool and select “Local Governments” to see all eligible grant opportunities or narrow down the search to just those related to specific activities, transportation types, and match requirements. The dashboard is updated weekly and will also soon include a Rural Grant Applicant Toolkit to assist rural townships in utilizing the dashboard. 



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