The Big Picture - the Grant Process

• Local sponsors work with DNR regional community services specialists to plan projects and complete grant applications.
• Submit applications by May 1 each year. Application booklets are distributed each year in late January, early February. Remember, no work can be started or nor land acquired until an agreement is signed by the department.
• DNR regional staff review and rate eligible projects using a set of rating questions that reflect each program's goals and priorities. (See rating questions).
• The projects within each program are then combined in a statewide listing and prioritized according to rating score. (exception: Acquisition & Development of Local Parks projects are prioritized by DNR region rather than statewide.) The final project listing is usually completed in early July each year.
• Projects ranking the highest are awarded a grant to the extent that funds are available.
• Project sponsors may not incur costs for their projects until the grant agreement is signed.
• Local sponsors sign an agreement to accept the grant and assume the responsibility of complying with program requirements and conditions of the grant award. (eg, contracts & bidding, operation and use, maintenance, accessibility, income, inspections, etc.) While project payment takes place on a reimbursement basis, sponsors may request a 50% advance payment of their grant award at the time of receiving the grant award.
• The project sponsor incurs costs for work actually completed or lands purchased, documents expenditures, and then files a claim for reimbursement. Except for pre-approval engineering, reimbursement is not permitted for work that takes place prior to or after the grant time period indicated in the grant award. Land acquired prior to the grant award date is not eligible without an approved waiver of retroactivity.
• The reimbursement claim and documentation of expenditures are audited by department staff and the payment is processed.