Lake Erie Community Grant Applications Open

Ohio EPA News

Published February 10th, 2026

Detected March 22nd, 2026

Summary

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) has opened applications for the second round of its Lake Erie Community Grant program. This initiative, funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, supports community-driven projects aimed at protecting and improving the Lake Erie watershed, with grant amounts ranging up to $750,000.

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What changed

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) has announced the opening of applications for the second round of its Lake Erie Community Grant program. This program, funded through a U.S. EPA cooperative agreement under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, aims to support community-driven projects that enhance the Lake Erie watershed. Projects can focus on habitat restoration, stream daylighting, invasive species control, and stormwater management. Applicants can receive up to five grants of $75,000 or one grant of $750,000.

Eligible entities include research institutions, nonprofits, tribes, states, counties, local governments, municipalities, and academic institutions. Proposals must demonstrate meaningful community involvement. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2026. Interested parties can find grant guidelines and application materials on the OLEC website.

What to do next

Review grant guidelines and application materials
Develop and submit project proposals by April 30, 2026

Source document (simplified)

February 10, 2026

CLEVELAND, OH – Feb. 10, 2026 – The Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) wants to help fund ideas that better communities and help restore local environments. Applications for the second round of funding for the Lake Erie Community Grant are now being accepted!

Funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative cooperative agreement with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (U. S. EPA), the program supports community-driven projects that protect and improve the Lake Erie watershed.

"This funding opportunity empowers communities within the Lake Erie watershed to take action on projects that advance the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative," U. S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Director Teresa Seidel said. “U. S. EPA looks forward to the transformative impact these applicants can bring to the area to foster environmental resilience and community vitality."

The Lake Erie Community Grant helps Ohio communities build a healthy, thriving Lake Erie watershed by addressing local environmental challenges and supports projects like restoring habitats, daylighting streams, combating invasive species, and cleaning or diverting storm water with infrastructure techniques. You could be awarded one of five grants of up to $75,000, or one grant that is worth up to $750,000. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2026.

“This grant program is about turning local ideas into real impact,” OLEC Executive Director Joy Mulinex said. “By investing in community-driven projects, we’re building a stronger, healthier Lake Erie.”

Proposals should be community-driven with meaningful, hands-on involvement from local residents and stakeholders. OLEC encourages applicants to engage their communities in identifying needs, shaping project goals, and participating in implementation to ensure long-term success and local ownership.

"This program is an open door for local leaders ready to take action," Black Environmental Leaders Association Ombudsman Renauld Jones said. "The Lake Erie Community Grant brings funding and technical support together to help community-driven solutions take root and create lasting benefits for Lake Erie."

Lake Erie Community Grant funding is available to communities through research institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribes, states, counties, local governments, municipalities, and academic institutions.

Interested applicants can access the grant guidelines, application materials, and guidance on OLEC’s website. For more information or to contact the Grant Manager, please email Sandra Kosek-Sills at Sandra.Kosek-Sills@lakeerie.ohio.gov

About Ohio Lake Erie Commission
Ohio Lake Erie Commission was established to preserve Lake Erie's natural resources, protect the quality of its waters and ecosystem and promote economic development in the region. The director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency serves as the commission's chairman. Additional members include the directors of the state departments of Transportation, Health, Development , Agriculture, Natural Resources and five private citizen members appointed by the Governor. For more information about OLEC, the Lake Erie Protection Fund, or to read about past grant projects, visit: http://lakeerie.ohio.gov/.