The Franklin County Conservation Mini-Grant is a grant from the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (Ohio) that awards up to $2,000 per project to support on-the-ground conservation work in Franklin County. Now in its 13th year, the program funds eligible 501(c) nonprofits, schools, watershed groups, municipalities, community groups, HOAs, condo associations, and civic associations located in or serving Franklin County.

Applications are accepted from February 1 through March 13, 2026. Projects must demonstrate both the need and the organizational capacity to implement practical conservation activities. The program reflects FSWCD's commitment to community-driven water quality protection, stormwater management, and environmental stewardship across the county.

Conservation Mini-Grants - Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District 1404 Goodale Boulevard, Suite 100 An error occurred when adding item to cart.

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Franklin Soil and Water’s annual Conservation Mini-Grant program continues in its 13th year by offering up to $2,000 per project to three organizations that demonstrate the need and ability to carry out on-the-ground conservation projects. All local conservation projects within Franklin County, Ohio will be considered and encouraged to apply.

Franklin Soil and Water’s preferred projects are those directly benefitting underserved communities. Examples of potentially underserved communities include City of Columbus Celebrate One neighborhoods , Opportunity Zones , and areas that feature less than 20% tree canopy cover as determined by Columbus Recreation and Parks.

Franklin Soil and Water’s Conservation Fund is a pool of fees and proceeds originating from donations and events including the Annual Meeting and Tree Sale. This fund supports our Mini-Grant program and allows the District to support partner programming and projects throughout the year. Nearly 35 organizations have been awarded full or partial funding in the last 10 years.

Watch our 2026 Grant Overview info session below 501(c) non-profit organizations such as schools, watershed groups, municipalities, and community groups in Franklin County, Ohio may apply. This includes governing bodies and associations such as HOAs, condo associations and civic associations. These types of organizations may also serve as a fiscal sponsor for another organization.

Organizations can apply for multiple programs (i. e TAP & mini-grant) for different projects (i.e. residential tree planting project & rain garden project). Projects may only be awarded from one program.

Each project application will be evaluated by the FSWCD Conservation Implementation Team. Each project will be individually scored on how well it meets the five criteria. The score for each project will then be totaled, with the Underserved Community criteria being weighted 20% more than the other criteria.

The FSWCD Conservation Implementation Team will then choose the awardees based on these scores and discretion. The following criteria are considered when evaluating your project: Environmental Impac t: Environmental improvement and ecological benefit. Connection to SWCD Mission: Demonstrates clear promotion of responsible land use decisions for the conservation, protection, and improvement of soil and water resources.

Visibility: Potential number of people reached/impacted by the project. Cost Efficienc y : The impact of the project relative to the funds requested. Underserved Community: Whether the project will be located in a historically underserved community.

See links below for data sources and tools you can use to determine underserved communties. Tree Equity Score Analyzer Columbus CelebrateOne Zip Codes Columbus Economic Development Opportunity Zones Columbus Urban Forestry Priority Planting Map (Map 4.

4 - Page 79 of 158) US EPA Environmental Justice Screening Tool * US EPA Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool * *These tools were removed from federal government websites in January and February 2025, but you can use the unofficial archived versions from Public Environmental Data Partners for your grant application.

Rainwater storage/harvesting with rain barrels/cisterns Reducing or slowing stormwater runoff by planting rain gardens or buffer zones Green infrastructure with blue or green roofs, underground detention, and pervious surfaces Landscaping and gardening with native trees and plants Habitat improvement, such as litter collection, addition of wildlife shelter(s), bird houses, or pollinator sites Soil improvements such as the addition of compost, green manures, or cover crops Funds are issued on a reimbursement basis, with documentation (receipts, photos, etc.) of work completed.

Some exceptions may be made for organizations that are unable to provide up-front expenses. Funds must be used by the end of the year. Grant recipients must review and sign our Grant Agreement, provide brief progress updates and final report, and host a final site visit upon project completion.

Updates may be simple phone calls and emails to ensure progress. Final report consists of a few visual aids such as photos/video, and 1-page written summary. Only one application per organization/individual is accepted.

Awardees will not be considered for funding two consecutive years in a row. Primary expenses should include supplies and tools for permanent on-the-ground materials. Signage, outreach, and single-use items are limited to 20% of the total cost.

Grant proposals are reviewed by Franklin Soil and Water staff with final approval of the Director and Board of Supervisors. Ineligible expenses include: Peer to peer payment services (e.g., Zelle, Venmo, CashApp) Projects previously completed or in progress Design and consulting fees Salary and administration Subsidies, discounts, design/consulting fees.

Educational displays or contractor implementation fees that exceed more than 20% of the total cost Invasive/non-native plants Anything deemed inappropriate or unsuitable by FSWCD staff To apply for the grant, fill out the online application by March 13, 2026. Application accepted : February 1 - March 13, 2026 If you have any questions or concerns, call us 614-486-9613 or send us a message .

Congratulations to the 2025 Conservation Mini-Grant Recipients! Bexley Recreation and Parks The Family Adolescent & Child Community Engagement Service (FACCES) The Garden District Corporation We appreciate all of the hard work you are doing for conservation in Franklin County!

Franklinton Farms' Rain Garden and Native Pollinator Bus Stop Garden Friends of the Ravines Planting Project Hilliard Weaver PTO's Beautification of Hilliard Weaver Middle School Courtyard FLOW Tree Nursery Improvements Friends of Franklinton Forest: Supplies to plant 250 trees on private properties and Community Gardens in Franklinton Brown Elementary School Rain Garden Clintonville GreenSpot: Fire Station Pollinator Garden Green Columbus: Southside Tree Planting Heart of Ohio Family Health: Community Garden in Northern Lights for Using Urban-Runoff to Grow a Pollinator Habitat Village of Marble Cliff for Tarpy Woods Stream and Wetland Restoration City of Grove City Native Plantings at Hoover Crossing Park Jones Middle School for Habitat Restoration at OSU golf course City of Gahanna Department of Parks & Recreation: West Side Park native habitat install Clinton Township: Native Plantings in two community pocket parks.

Canal Winchester Human Services: Rainwater storage and soil improvement for use with community garden Southeach, Inc. (Friends Community Garden): Enhancing community garden and green space with native trees and plants Worthington Hills Garden Club: Bioretention/rain garden installation for filtering runoff and habitat improvement at Worthington Hills Golf Course Worthington Parks and Recreation Department: Landscaping and gardening with native plants at East Granville Road Park-Moses Wright Nature Area Jefferson Township: Kitsmiller Crossing Pond bank stabilization and landscaping.

The proposed project will serve as a township-wide education and outreach program for HOA-managed stormwater ponds.

The City of Reynoldsburg Parks and Rec Department: Establishment of 10 acre native prairie from seed at 3 locations within Civic Park High Point Elementary: An outdoor reading garden expansion project adjacent to FSWCD'd Tripp conservation easement Ohio Association of Garden Clubs: Installing native trees and plants, along with soil prep, plant ID at Natural Resources Park's kayak pond and pioneer cabin.

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