Lake Michigan Coastal Program Grants

The Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP), administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Nature Preserves, provides annual grants to promote the preservation, protection, and restoration of the state’s Lake Michigan watershed. Funded through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the program supports a broad array of projects that align with the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. With approximately $600,000 allocated annually, the LMCP grant program is designed to facilitate partnerships and encourage community-based environmental solutions within the Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties. The Coastal Grant Program is divided into multiple project categories including low-cost construction, land acquisition, planning and coordination, education and outreach, and applied research. Each project must enhance or protect natural, cultural, or historic resources within the Lake Michigan watershed. Eligible applicants range from municipalities and regional planning agencies to educational institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. However, non-profits may only serve as direct grantees for non-construction, non-acquisition projects and must partner with a public entity for other project types. The application process begins with a mandatory pre-proposal due October 4, 2024, submitted electronically using Indiana’s standard form SF 54757. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the LMCP Grant Specialist during proposal development. The pre-proposal is used to assess eligibility, alignment with the LMCP mission, and project readiness. Projects are reviewed by the Coastal Advisory Board (CAB), which determines advancement to the full proposal stage. Full proposals are due in January 2025, with final awards approved by NOAA around July or August. Each project must demonstrate a 1:1 match, which may consist of cash or in-kind contributions, and funds must be used for publicly beneficial efforts. Construction and land acquisition projects must meet specific siting requirements and undergo additional review. All projects must be completed within an 18-month period, ideally starting in September 2025 and ending by December 31, 2026. Additionally, funded work must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and standards. Grantees are reimbursed quarterly and are responsible for upfront expenditures. All funded work must acknowledge NOAA and the LMCP in outreach materials. Contact for grant inquiries is Katherine Balkema, LMCP Grant Specialist, who can be reached via email at KBalkema@dnr.IN.gov or by phone at 219-250-5401. More details, including forms and submission guidance, are available at dnr.IN.gov/lake-michigan-coastal-program/grants.

Contact LMCP staff early; ensure alignment with LMCP goals; demonstrate public benefit and readiness; comply with NEPA and accessibility rules.