Grant Information
2009 SWACO GENERAL GRANTS PROGRAM

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS


SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY OF CENTRAL OHIO (SWACO)
The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) is one of 52 solid waste 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 reuse 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 …“to manage the District municipal solid waste stream to achieve environmentally responsible and cost-effective disposal, reduce reliance on landfilling through waste reduction and recycling, treat solid waste as a resource capable of yielding recovered materials and energy, and plan future disposal capacity for the District”.       

ELIGIBILITY
  • Local governmental organizations including parks, townships, villages, cities, municipalities, and other governmental organizations located within the SWACO 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. Applicants must have a recycling program in place or in the planning and development stage, or a solid waste reduction curriculum. Applicants must participate in the SWACO Re-TRAC reporting system if available to them. Re-TRAC is an on-line recycling and solid waste data management system provided by SWACO to governmental organizations, local political subdivisions and some commercial/industrial/institutional entities.  The information reported is utilized by SWACO to better manage and report District data to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on an annual basis.
 
FUNDING
At a minimum, 25% of the total project cost must be paid as a match by the grant applicant. The match can be financial or a combination of financial and in-kind services. Examples of in-kind services include labor, donated materials or other services. 

MATCH FUNDS REQUIREMENT
At a minimum, 25% of the total project cost must be paid as a match by the grant applicant. The match can be financial or a combination of financial and in-kind services. Examples of in-kind services include labor, donated materials or other services.


GRANT CATEGORIES
A.  General Category
  • Recycling & Waste Reduction:  Purchase of recycling containers, expansion of a recycling program, collection events, etc.
  • Reuse: Reuse store, book exchange event, exchange website, etc.
  • Compost & Yard Waste Management: Community assistance, workshops or
    seminar, etc.
  • Education & Awareness: School recycling programs or educational projects, public awareness projects, surveys, waste audits, promotional campaigns, etc.
  • Recycled Content Materials & Equipment: Purchase and use of recycled content materials and equipment in conjunction with an awareness component and a companion recycling program.
  • Other Projects:  Projects that result in a significant waste reduction or address difficult to recycle materials.
B.  Buy Recycled Category – Maximum Amount $5,000
The purpose of the Buy Recycled Grant is to provide additional funding for the purchase of recycled content products, materials and/or equipment. Examples of projects include purchase of park benches, playground equipment, boat dock lumber, signs and holders, playground surface, etc. – all made with recycled content materials.

C.  Smart Communities Category
The purpose of the Smart Communities Grant is to assist local governments that have been qualified as SWACO Smart Communities with promoting and enhancing their waste reduction and recycling programs. (See SWACO website www.swaco.org to find out how to become a SWACO Smart Community.)
 

CRITERIA FOR PROJECTS
  • Project fits SWACO’s mission and guiding principles regarding waste reduction, recycling and reuse programs and technologies that are environmentally and economically sustainable and provide measurable results.
  • Application follows the format and is clear, concise and well-written.
  • Project goals and objectives are described.
  • Utilizes volunteers if possible, and if applicable, promotes cooperation among other groups and/or agencies without duplicating services.
  • Details if the project would be considered innovative to the District such as use of a new product or new use of an existing product, or if it is a creative approach or strategy to promote the reduce/recycle/re-use/anti-littering message.
  • Applicant is qualified to successfully complete the proposed project.
  • Applicant has a current recycling program or plans to implement one, or has a solid waste reduction curriculum.
  • Budget request is reasonable, itemized costs are justified in the project narrative, and vendor quotes are included with the application as appropriate.
  • A timeline is provided and all site details/personnel are described.
  • Match requirement can be met.
  • Promotes the project through appropriate events, activities and media; recognizes SWACO as assisting with the project.
  • Details for acceptance of partial funding and impact on project are included.
  • Plans for evaluating and continuing the project are described, and diversion figures reported if applicable.
  • Applicants, if possible, must participate in the SWACO Re-TRAC reporting system.
  • Applicant is willing to add a SWACO link to their current website.
  • Applicants that have already received funding may take 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 made prior to the effective date of the 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 documenting all project expenses, including purchase orders, vendor invoices, receipts, signed delivery documents, timesheets, 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
Applicant must complete and submit the SWACO application with supporting documentation by the deadlines listed below.   

      ANNOUNCEMENT        DUE DATE          AWARDED
         March 16                       April 16                May 5   

All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the SWACO Grants Committee. The SWACO Board of Trustees Planning and Program Development Committee (PPDC) has oversight of the Grants Program and may at their discretion provide recommendations from time to time. The project as approved will be submitted as a resolution to the Board of Trustees at its next meeting as listed on the SWACO website www.swaco.org. If approved by the Board, a Grant Agreement between the parties will be prepared and signatures obtained. 


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 reports as required, including a Final Report summarizing the project, the expenses and results.
  • Submit an invoice on letterhead and include all purchase orders, receipts, vendor invoices, signed delivery receipts, timesheets at the standard payroll rate, 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.
  • Participation in the Re-TRAC reporting system, and if possible, add a SWACO link to their current website.

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 an itemized budget page if appropriate of expenditures of both grant and match funds according to the grant approved budget. All purchase orders, receipts, vendor invoices, signed delivery receipts, timesheets, proof of payment such as copies of canceled checks and any other appropriate documents must be included.

TIMELINE & 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:

Bonni Trice, Grants & 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: bonni.trice@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:  Grant Application Form
Attachment B:  Promotion/Publicity Approval Request
Attachment C:  Final Report