FY25 Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF): Mini Grant Program

The Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF), administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA), offers a Mini Grant Program aimed at raising public awareness and providing education about significant environmental issues in Ohio. The Ohio EPA’s Office of Environmental Education manages the fund, which is primarily supported by civil penalties collected from violations of the state's air and water pollution control regulations. Approximately $500,000 is made available annually for these grants. Mini grants range from $500 to $5,000 and are intended for projects that can be completed within a 12-month period. Eligible applicants must be Ohio-based entities, including schools and universities, outdoor education facilities, zoos, various government units, state agencies, watershed groups with local government sponsorship, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, private companies, and trade associations. Projects must target specific audiences such as preschool to university students, the general public, and the regulated community, including farmers. The OEEF emphasizes projects that focus on a single audience or a narrow range of ages for maximum impact. The fund prioritizes projects that address one of five key environmental issues identified for 2024: reduction of air emissions, nutrient management, stormwater practices, habitat restoration, and career exploration in environmental sciences and engineering. Applications that exceed the required 10% match, engage underserved minority communities, target regulated industries, or are based in underrepresented counties receive extra points during review. Each entity may submit only one application per cycle and cannot receive more than three grants over five years. There are two application cycles each year. For the spring cycle, letters of intent are due January 9 at 5:00 p.m., and completed applications by January 16. For the fall cycle, letters are due by July 8, and applications by July 15. Awards are announced about four months post-deadline. Applications are submitted via the Ohio EPA’s eBusiness Center and are evaluated competitively based on alignment with educational standards, clarity of objectives, justification, dissemination plans, and budget appropriateness. Pre-review by OEEF staff is encouraged. Applicants are required to outline project objectives and activities in detail, with SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Appropriate, Relevant, Time-bound). All proposals must include a budget narrative, letters of collaboration when applicable, and contact details for a project director, fiscal agent, and authorizing agent. The OEEF does not fund lobbying, political advocacy, beautification, indirect costs, or basic research, and has strict limits on staff salaries and travel expenditures. For assistance, applicants may contact the Office of Environmental Education at (614) 644-2873 or email oeef@epa.ohio.gov.