The One Time Strategic Community Investments Grant Program is a funding initiative administered by the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) to distribute funds allocated under Section 200.30 of House Bill 2 (H.B. 2). Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed H.B. 2 on June 28, 2024, authorizing $717,800,000 in appropriations for specific community projects across the state. The grant program aims to provide financial support to named projects listed in the bill, ensuring that funds are used in accordance with state laws, rules, and regulations. The grant process is not competitive, as organizations associated with the pre-identified projects are the sole eligible recipients.

Eligible recipients are those organizations explicitly named in Section 200.30 of H.B. 2. The distribution methodology is pre-determined by the Ohio General Assembly and is not subject to review or appeal. To access the funds, eligible recipients must submit a funding request form via the Ohio Grants Portal and enter into a grant agreement with OBM. The agreement must be signed and uploaded as part of the request process. Applications open on July 26, 2024, and will be accepted until June 30, 2025.

Funding must be used strictly for the purposes outlined in the approved project descriptions within H.B. 2. Recipients are required to maintain proper records and adhere to reporting requirements. The grant performance period extends until June 30, 2026, with a final report due no later than July 31, 2026. Extensions may be granted if necessary, in which case interim reporting will be required. If funds remain unspent at the close of the performance period, an organization may request an extension, but any unexpended cash on hand must be returned to the State of Ohio within 14 days of the final report submission.

The grant does not require matching funds. It is considered a state-funded initiative and is not subject to the Single Audit Act. However, recipients must maintain records for two years after submitting their final report. These records must be available for audit or review by OBM, the Ohio Auditor of State, Independent Public Auditors, and other oversight entities. Additionally, grant funds cannot be repurposed for uses beyond the original scope of the project.

To complete the funding request, organizations must provide key details such as their tax or employer identification number (TIN/EIN), payee identification number (Supplier ID), a validation code emailed to the organization's contact, and a description of the planned use of funds. Organizations must also create an OH|ID account to access the Ohio Grants Portal for application submission and reporting. Support is available through the Ohio Grants Partnership, which provides job aids and training resources for applicants.

For more information, applicants can visit Ohio Budget and Management’s capital appropriations page. Questions can be directed to the Ohio Grants Partnership via email at Grants@obm.ohio.gov.