Provider
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Application Deadline
Rolling Application
Summary
Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), a supporting organization of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, administers the SWAG program with funding from the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3), municipalities, counties, and educational institutions. Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status and be registered with the PA Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Applicants can request up to $30,000 and project proposals must include a 1:1 match (cash, in-kind, or a combination).
Eligible projects must occur on lands owned by the project applicant, or where the applicant has a long-term lease or agreement on the site. Projects must remain open to the public and free of charge for 25 years (successful grantees will be required to sign a 25-year maintenance agreement).
Common Eligible Projects
Eligible projects include acquisition, design and engineering, construction, or upgrade and rehabilitation of non-motorized public access to Pennsylvania waterways. Priority will be given to projects that improve recreational access on rivers and streams as well as those that support and advance POWR’s mission, specifically the facilitation, stewardship, and enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s waterways.
More Information
Provider
PA Department of Community & Economic Development
Application Deadline
Rolling Application
Summary
The Pennsylvania First Program was established as a comprehensive funding tool to facilitate increased investment and job creation in the commonwealth and to enable the commonwealth to compete more effectively in the global economy. The Pennsylvania First Program may provide grants, loans and loan guarantees. Determination of the type of assistance shall be at the discretion of the Department based upon the financial needs of the individual projects. Except for businesses receiving assistance through WEDnet / the Guaranteed Free Training (GFT) Program, all businesses benefitting from Pennsylvania First Program assistance must meet the Private Investment and Employment requirements outlined here.
- Eligible Applicants include:
- Businesses – corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, limited liability companies or other for-profit entities. This term shall also include not-for-profit entities.
- Municipalities – boroughs, townships, towns, cities, home rule municipalities
- Municipal Authorities
- Redevelopment Authorities
- Industrial Development Authorities or Corporations
- Local Development Districts
Common Eligible Projects
All costs financed through the Pennsylvania First Program must be necessary for the operation of an eligible business or businesses at a project site(s) in the commonwealth. Specifically, funds may be used for:
- Job training for direct, full-time, commonwealth resident employees of the applicant or business
- Acquisition of land, buildings, or rights-of-way
- Construction or rehabilitation of buildings
- Construction or rehabilitation of infrastructure necessary for the operation of an eligible business or businesses at a project site, not to include tap-in fees
- Purchase or upgrade of machinery and equipment
- Working capital
- Project site preparation, including demolition and clearance
- Environmental assessments
- Remediation of hazardous material
- Architectural and engineering fees, not to exceed 10% of the total Pennsylvania First Program award
More Information
https://dced.pa.gov/programs/pennsylvania-first-program-pa-first/
Provider
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
Application Deadline
Rolling Application
Summary
These grant programs fund projects that help municipalities, counties, multi-municipal partnerships, and council of governments to increase local capacity for recreation, parks, and conservation. The Peer program funds projects that, through a collaborative process, focus on a specific need identified by the grantee and its partners. The Circuit Rider program aids in the hiring of a full-time park, recreation, or conservation professional whose services are shared by the members of a formal partnership, commission, or authority.
Common Eligible Projects
Peer grants are awarded to help municipalities improve their park, recreation and conservation services through a collaborative process. Projects are accomplished through contracts with experienced park, recreation and conservation professionals from nearby communities who will work closely with local leaders. Examples may include projects that form new intergovernmental recreation and park agencies (which is a high priority for DCNR); improving management of a specific facility like a community center, trail or pool; conducting an overall management assessment of an agency’s park and recreation services; park and recreation board training and development, etc.
Circuit Rider grants are awarded to initiate new programs and services for county(ies), Council of Governments and/or multi-municipal entities, that individually do not have the financial resources to hire a professional full-time staff person. The Circuit Rider’s purpose is to initiate new programs and services in the designated service area. The intended result of this project is to increase the ability of grantee to more efficiently and effectively meet their recreation, park, greenway, open space and/or natural resource conservation needs. The grantee will be responsible for the long-term financial commitment and maintenance of this professional position. Circuit rider applications are accepted at any time. The application must come from a county, one municipality (representing multiple municipalities), a council of governments, an authority or an official agency created under the Intergovernmental Cooperation Law. In most situations, the Bureau will require a peer review under our Peer-to-Peer grants before approving an application for Circuit Rider funding.
More Information
https://apps.dcnr.pa.gov/grants/Default.aspx?rtn=CRM365/CRMHelp.aspx?Tag=Opportunities.Peer
Provider
William G. Pomeroy Foundation
Application Deadline
Depending on the program, either rolling or twice-yearly
Summary
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation administers multiple historical marker sign programs which highlight subjects spanning everything from food history to folklore. These signs commemorate people, places, things, events, and stories with historical significance. Applicants must provide primary source documentation to substantiate the historical accuracy of the proposed signage.
Common Eligible Projects
Current sign programs include:
- Hungry for History® Marker Grant Program
- Hometown Heritage® Marker Grant Program
- Historic Transportation Marker Grant Program
- National Register Signage Grant Program
- Legends & Lore® Marker Grant Program
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Provider
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Application Deadline
May 31, 2026
Summary
Through the Watershed Restoration & Protection Program (WRPP), PA DCED supports the restoration and maintenance of restored stream reaches impaired by the uncontrolled discharge of nonpoint source polluted runoff. The goal of this program is to remove these restored streams from the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Impaired Waters list.
- $300,000 maximum award
- 15% local cash (or cash equivalent) match
Common Eligible Projects
The following is a breakdown of eligible projects:
- Watershed restoration/protection projects implementing runoff control or runoff reduction of Best Management Practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations negatively impacting local or regional stream quality;
- Watershed restoration/protection projects implementing runoff control or runoff reduction of BMPs addressing urban or residential areas negatively impacting local or regional stream quality;
- Watershed projects that refurbish, restore, or create stream bank or stream channel stabilization using bio-engineering techniques;
- Repair and maintenance of existing watershed protection BMPs addressing agricultural, urban/residential, and degraded stream areas; and
- Monitoring water quality to track or continue to track nonpoint source (NPS) load reductions resulting from watershed protection BMP implementation projects.
More Information
https://dced.pa.gov/programs/watershed-restoration-protection-program-wrpp/
Provider
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
Application Deadline
May 31, 2026
Summary
Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for statewide initiatives for complying with the act of January 24, 1966 (1965 P.L.1535, No. 537), known as the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.
- Maximum grant amount for planning projects is $100,000.
- Local match requirement of 50%
- Commencement of work prior to receiving Authority approval will result in the project being ineligible for funding consideration
Common Eligible Projects
Sewage Facilities Planning projects to complete a new or make changes to an existing Act 537 plan. The Task/Activity Report for this project must be submitted and approved by DEP prior to submission of the grant application.
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Provider
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
Application Deadline
May 31, 2026
Summary
Through the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP), PA DCED supports the planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation, and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks, and beautification projects.
- $250,000 maximum award
- 15% local cash (or cash equivalent) match
- Commencement of work prior to receiving authority approval will result in the project being ineligible for consideration
Common Eligible Projects
Funding is provided under the following categories:
- Public Park and Recreation Areas: Rehabilitation and development of public indoor and/or outdoor park, recreation, and conservation areas and facilities. Property may be acquired for active and/or passive recreation use to create new park and recreation areas and/or expand existing recreational sites.
- Greenways and Trails: Renovation and development of linear public facilities, such as bicycle, walking, equestrian, snowmobile, and nature trails; passive recreation areas; riparian forest buffers; wetland boardwalks; and observation decks. Related support facilities such as access roads, parking areas, walks, comfort stations, lighting, landscaping, and signage are also eligible.
- Rivers Conservation: Enhancement of rivers, streams, and watersheds for recreational purposes.
More Information
https://dced.pa.gov/programs/greenways-trails-and-recreation-program-gtrp/
Provider
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
Application Deadline
May 31, 2026
Summary
Through the Flood Mitigation Program, PA DCED supports planning and construction projects to minimize and mitigate flood events. The following is a breakdown of information related to program funding:
- $500,000 maximum award
- No minimum award amount noted
- $50,000 minimum total project cost
- 15% match required (cash or cash equivalents)
- Commencement of work prior to receiving Authority approval will result in the project being ineligible for funding consideration
Eligible applicants: Municipalities, Councils of Governments, Authorized Organizations, Institutions of Higher Learning, Watershed Organizations, For-Profit Businesses.
Common Eligible Projects
Projects authorized by a flood protection authority, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or identified by a local government for flood mitigation are eligible for the program.
Eligible use of funds:
- Acquisition of land, rights-of-way, and easements;
- Engineering studies required for levee certification and Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) studies;
- Construction, improvement, expansion, repair, or rehabilitation of flood control projects. Construction contingencies up to 5% of construction costs;
- Debris removal;
- Installation of security measures;
- Construction engineering costs/inspections costs, not to exceed 10% of the grant award;
- Permit fees;
- Costs to secure appropriate bonds and insurance; and
- Administrative costs, not to exceed 2% of grant award.
More Information
Provider
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Application Deadline
December 31, 2026
Summary
The Solar for Schools Grant Program is established pursuant to the act of Jul 17, 2024 (P.L.813, No. 68) known as the Solar for Schools Act. This program seeks to reduce the cost of implementing solar energy systems into schools across the Commonwealth. In order to accomplish this goal, the Department of Community and Economic Development has established a grant program that school districts, intermediate units, charter schools including cyber, regional, and a school for education of the deaf or the blind, area career and technical schools, specific trade and technical schools, and community colleges can use to fund solar energy projects. These grants will aid in the purchase and installation of equipment, permit fees, energy storage, and utility interconnection.
Common Eligible Projects
Solar Energy Project – A project at a school facility related to photovoltaic or solar thermal devices that convert, transfer or store solar energy in or into usable forms of thermal or electric energy. In order to qualify for the program, the project must undergo a successful Solar Facility Site Assessment.
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Delco Green Ways Program, History and Impact
In 2016, County Council convened the Delaware County Open Space Task Force to research opportunities to implement the County's Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan, which was adopted in 2015. In 2018, the Task Force, comprised of leaders from local municipalities, nonprofit organizations, the business community, and several County staff members, presented a series of recommendations. Based on these recommendations, County Council authorized a $10 million bond allocation for open space in the County, which includes the Delco Green Ways grants to municipalities.
The objective of County’s grant program was to assist municipalities in achieving their local open space and recreation goals, while also furthering the objectives of Delaware County's goals for open space and recreation across the County. Eligible projects were to include fee simple acquisition of land or public trail easements on private land, improvements to existing public parks, regreening efforts, construction of new trails, and professional services such as comprehensive open space planning, feasibility studies, design/engineering and permitting.
Over the years, while the technical details of the Green Ways grant program evolved, the continued success of the County grant program is apparent. Since 2019, the County has committed approximately $16.8 million in conservation, trails, and recreation improvements across the County, leveraging that investment with more than $33.7 million in outside funding, including grants from other public, non-profit, and private funding sources. All four rounds were extremely competitive, with grant applications requesting twice as much money as could be funded.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Delaware County’s Green Ways grant program. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure the successful completion of all these projects! We all benefit from a greener, more connected, modernized, and well-planned County-wide system.
Delco Green Ways Round 1 (2019)
ABOUT
The inaugural grant round of the Green Ways Grant program capped County contributions to a given project to a certain percentage of that project’s total cost and required municipalities provide a local cash match for any funded project.
PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
Review Grant Round 1 program and application materials here:
• Green Ways Presentation given to Delaware County Planning Commission on July 18, 2019
• 2019 Program Guidelines & Application
Application Appendices:
• Appendix A: Evaluation Criteria
• Appendix B: Budget Worksheet
• Appendix C: Municipal Resolution Template
• Appendix D: Certificate of Title Form
• Appendix E: Declaration of Public Trust, Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
• Appendix F: 1099-S Verification Form
• Appendix G: Baseline Documentation Report Checklist for Conservation Easements
PROJECTS
In October 2019, County Council awarded 26 municipalities over $4 million for 38 individual projects. County funds leveraged an additional $20 million in matching funds. This supported the following:
• 102 new acres of preserved green space,
• 7.3 miles of trail development,
• 18 parks and recreation improvements, and
• 8 professional services projects (planning, engineering, and/or design)
For more detail regarding each conserve, Connect, Enhance, and Planning & Design award, download the Delco Green Ways Grant Round 1 Awards document.
Delco Green Ways Round 2 (2021)
ABOUT
The public’s appetite for utilizing public spaces surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, to address the unique needs of County residents and local municipalities, County Council convened the Green Space Task Force (GSTF), directing them to provide guidance on the County’s vision and policy direction for green space.
Based on GSTF feedback and a desire to build upon the success of the first grant round, County Council decided to adjust the grant program’s guidelines to encourage multi-municipal coordination and cooperation, and to boost capacity building among the County’s 49 local municipalities.
The following revisions to the program guidelines were made:
• The requirement for local municipal match was eliminated.
• Non-profits were permitted to apply, with a municipal partner.
• A new, non-competitive Park Recreation and Open Space Mini-Plan ("Mini-PROS") grant program for smaller
municipalities was established
• An allowance was made for up to 15% of an Enhance grant to pay for certain “soft” costs
• Up to $250,000 of a Connect grant could go to engineering costs.
• Inclusion of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) Indicators of Potential Disadvantage (IDP) as a
scoring category.
PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
Review Grant Round 2 program and application materials here:
PROJECTS
In Round 2, the County received 74 grant applications from 46 of its 49 municipalities. Applications requested over $13 million in funding. In November 2021, Council awarded 38 municipalities and one non-profit a total of almost $7.2 million for 43 projects throughout Delaware County (due to issues with a few projects, the final grant award total was $6.4m).
The Round 2 Green Ways Grant awards breakdown is:
• 16 Mini-PROS Plan grants, for a total of $722,850.
• 9 Planning & Design grants, for a total of $848,315.
• 6 Conserve grants, for a total of $2,186,477.
• 6 Connect grants, for a total of $1,990,809.
• 6 Enhance grants, for a total of $1,424,070.
For details regarding Conserve, Connect, Enhance, Planning & Design, and Mini-PROS Plans awards, download the “Delco Green Ways Grant Round 2 Awards” document.
Delco Green Ways Round 3 (2022)
ABOUT
In the summer of 2022, County Council authorized a third round of the Green Ways Grant Program. Despite a quick turn-around time, the response to Round 3 was excellent with quality projects and application requests that well exceeded the money available.
PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
Review Grant Round 3 program and application materials here:
- Users’ Guide
- Click here to see the Information Sessions’ power point presentation
- On-line Grant Application
PROJECTS
In Round 3, the County received a total of 48 grant applications from 39 communities and 2 nonprofits, with requests double the available funding. In December 2022 Council voted to invest $4.99 million in 24 projects located in 23 municipalities.
The Round 3 Green Ways Grant awards breakdown is:
• 3 Mini-PROS Plan projects, totaling $150,00
• 3 Planning and Design projects, totaling $242,500.
• 3 Conserve projects, totaling $892,500.
• 5 Connect projects, totaling $1,849,000.
• 10 Enhance projects, totaling $1,857,918
Highlights of Round 3’s outstanding accomplishments include:
• The grant awards leveraged an additional $5.84 million of outside matching funds, serving as a catalyst for $10.83
million in “on the ground” improvements, and
• Just over half of Round 3’s grant funds were devoted to investments in historically disadvantaged communities.
For a more detailed breakdown regarding each Conserve, Connect, Enhance, Planning and Design and Mini-Pros Plan award please download the “Delco Green Ways Grant Round 3 Awards.”
Delco Green Ways Round 4 (2023)
ABOUT
The County received 47 grant applications from 39 communities and 2 nonprofit organizations, requesting grants totaling over $10 million. This year’s funding recommendations were focused on the County’s commitment to supporting municipalities with a history of disinvestment, and to ensuring the County’s financial investments were leveraged to the extent practical. In addition to these two priorities, the program continues its support of projects based on strategic planning at the local and County level.
PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
Review Grant Round 3 program and application materials here:
PROJECTS
In Round 4, the Council voted to invest just under $5 million for in 22 projects located in 20 municipalities.
The Round 4 Green Ways awards breakdown is:
• 13 Enhance Grant projects, totaling $2.83 million.
• 4 Connect Grant projects, totaling $1.08 million.
• 3 Conserve Grant projects, totaling $0.98 million.
• 2 Planning & Design projects, totaling $0.11 million
Highlights of Round 4 include:
• The County’s grant awards leverage an additional $5.08 million in outside investments, thereby serving as a catalyst for “on the ground” improvements worth approximately $10.08 million, and
• Just over half of Round 4’s grant funds are devoted to 12 historically disadvantaged communities, advancing 14 different projects.
Please download the "Delco Green Ways Grant Round 4 Awards" document for details regarding the Conserve, Connect, Enhance, Planning and Design and Mini-Pros Plan awards.
