Grant Matching Program

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Federal Assistance administers the Grant Matching Program, a statewide funding initiative designed to support state agencies, local governments, tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations in securing federal grants. Established by Assembly Bill 489 in 2019 and made permanent in 2022, the program allocates up to one million dollars annually to provide matching funds required by federal grant programs. Its purpose is to reduce financial barriers that prevent eligible entities from accessing federal resources by contributing up to fifty percent of the required non-federal match. The program operates on a rolling basis throughout State Fiscal Year 2025, accepting applications continuously until the annual allocation is fully committed. Eligible applicants must demonstrate that they have exhausted all alternative funding sources before requesting assistance. Priority is given to entities that apply before the federal award has been accepted. Match requests must be directly tied to competitive federal grant opportunities for which the applicant is eligible, and the proposed place of performance must be within Nevada. Applicants must satisfy several prerequisites to qualify, including registration as a vendor with the Nevada State Controller’s Office, possession of a Unique Entity ID (UEI), and adherence to the requirements outlined in the federal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Applicants may request up to fifty percent of the total matching requirement, and all requests must fall within ninety days of the federal award date. The program will not fund emergency matches or retroactive requests beyond this timeframe. Applications are submitted online through the Governor’s Office of Federal Assistance Grant Matching Program portal. Applicants are encouraged to first complete an eligibility checker, gather all required documents, and then complete the formal application, which includes approximately forty questions covering organizational background, capacity, funding need, and proposed grant activities. Required attachments include a signed self-certification form, an approved organizational budget, an organizational chart, and any letters of commitment for supplemental match funds. Applicants must respond promptly to follow-up requests to ensure timely review. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis following a technical review and a merit evaluation. Applications are assessed on clarity, demonstrated need, organizational capacity, and alignment with state priorities, particularly those serving underserved or frontier communities or building long-term grant capacity. Successful applicants receive a commitment letter, followed by an official award agreement once the federal grant award is confirmed and risk assessment completed. Funds are disbursed in a single lump-sum payment. Award recipients must comply with quarterly and annual reporting requirements, including updates on expenditures, project progress, and audit results. At closeout, recipients must provide a full accounting of all expenditures within thirty business days after the federal grant period ends. For assistance, applicants may contact the Office of Federal Assistance at grants@ofa.nv.gov or (775) 684-0156, or reach out directly to Executive Grant Analyst Shana Rhinehart at s.rhinehart@ofa.nv.gov. Program details and application materials are available at www.ofa.nv.gov.

Complete the eligibility checker before applying; gather all required documentation; ensure the contact listed is responsive for timely communication.