July 01, 2022
IMPACT! Grant Program
CLOSED. Non-recurring.
The application period for the IMPACT! Grant Program has now closed.
December 7, 2022
The Franklin County Commissioners approved staff recommendations for IMPACT! Grant awards during the board's December 7 meeting. For an alphabetical list of recommended award recipients, click here. Below you will also find a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the award program.
July 1, 2022
The Franklin County Commissioners have sponsored funds to be used for the IMPACT! Grant Program, which provides $10 million for projects to assist municipalities, municipal authorities and non-profit organizations that are located and operating within Franklin County.
Proposed projects must meet one of the following goals:
- Provide general governmental services that were impeded, delayed or otherwise affected by the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Revitalize Franklin County communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; or
- Support key infrastructure projects such as water, sewer, stormwater and broadband.
Grant requests should be for a minimum of $25,000 and for no more than $500,000. Municipalities and authorities must contribute a 50% match for their proposed projects; there is no match requirement for nonprofit organizations. Grants must be used for costs incurred on or after March 3, 2021, and must be expended by Dec. 31, 2026. Grant recipients must be under contract with the county by Dec. 31, 2024.
There are two separate IMPACT! Grant Program applications:
- nonprofit agencies
- municipalities and authorities
All applications must be submitted online before 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31.
For more information on eligibility and other requirements, click here. Questions about the application or grant process should be directed to Becky Brackbill
IMPACT! Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an actual application form we are to use or is this more of a free-form application process? How do I find the application?
Application forms and information on eligibility can be found on the county's website: https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=grants_current-opportunities&prrid=851. Click on the application that you are interested in applying for to open the online form.
Can the match be other federal, state or municipal funds?
The guidelines state the following regarding matching funds: Matching funds can be in the form of other local, state or federal grant funds or local/private cash. In-kind contributions are not accepted as match funding.
Will brick-and-mortar projects meet prevailing wage requirements?
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are specifically exempted from Davis-Bacon. Prevailing wage is state law and it only applies if a political subdivision is using the money directly for a project.
Is the 'nonprofit' requirement truly any nonprofit, or restricted to 501(c)(3)?
Any nonprofit status will qualify.
Is the only copy of the application online? Is there a copy that can be reviewed prior to completing it online?
Click the buttons below to view PDF versions of each application. The PDFs are for review only. Applications must be submitted using the online format in order to be considered for funding.
Could we have a meeting to discuss questions we have about the grant?
Please contact Becky Brackbill with any meeting requests.
Are radios used by fire departments and EMS considered broadband?
No. Radios for this use are considered equipment rather than broadband under the definitions for this grant.
Is revenue loss through lower fundraising considered an allowable expense for this grant
A nonprofit may request funding for revenue lost after March 3, 2021, and through December 31, 2022. In order to show the estimated revenue that is lost during this time period, nonprofits are asked to provide fundraising dollar amounts collected during 2017, 2018 and 2019. The year 2020 is excluded. The nonprofit should combine the total dollar amounts collected for those three years and then divide that figure by three for the average dollar amount collected during those years. Once the average is calculated, the nonprofit should subtract any funds raised during the allowable period (March 2, 2021 to August 31, 2022 when the grant application is due) and then ask for the dollar amount remaining. See the example below:
Fundraising Revenue
2017 - $75,000
2018 - $75,000
2019 - $75,000
Total dollars raised = $225,000/3 = $75,000 average
Total revenue raised from March 3, 2021-August 31, 2022 = $25,000
Estimated lost revenue for 2021 and 2022 = $150,000 (average $75,000 x 2)
$150,000 (average) - $25,000 (funds raised) = $125,000 requested amount
Would a two-project application be eligible or should the application focus on just one project?
Requests can be combined into one applicatoin as long as it meets the minimum and maximum requirements. There is no need to submit two applications.
Are all first responder agencies eligible to apply for radios as equipment?
Eligible applicants are nonprofits (no match required) and municipalities/municipal authorities (50% match required). Radios are eligible for grant funds under equipment for all eligible applicants.
Are estimated costs allowed for items if it is unclear at this time if those costs will be incurred during the course of the project?
All costs for proposed project components may be part of the projected budget. Grant payments will be made on a reimbursement basis for items that are invoiced. If a planned component is not found necessary, it will not affect the grant. It will be an expense that is excluded because there is no invoice.
Are costs for expenses already incurred allowed to be included in the budget?
The Final Rule states that funds may only be used for costs incurred within a specific time period, beginning March 3, 2021, with all funds obligated by December 31, 2024, and all funds spent by December 31, 2026. If costs are within that time frame, then they may be included in the project budget.
If one organization (first) is in partnership with another organization (second) for a project that the second organizatoin is submitting, is the first organizatoin eligible to submit an applicatoin for a project of their own?
Yes. One organization can partner with another organization as well as submit an application for a separate project of its own.
Is there any exception to the 75% reimbursement for property acquisitions? For example, funding provided in full?
All requests for property acquisitions will be considered as part of the grant request. A real estate contract may be used as a document to request distribution of the 75% portion of the grant that is provided as reimbursement.
Are administrative expenses allowable? If so, is there a max allowable percentage?
Administrative costs will be considered as part of the grant request. We have not specified a max percentage; applicants should include the actual costs and calculations for administrative expenses.
Would the acquisition of land for development of a project be a permissable request?
Yes, property purchases are permitted. The funding distribution is on a reimbursement basis.
We have several projects. Should we submit one or two applications?
Each entity is allowed to make one grant application. You may add several projects in the same application. The applications are due on August 31, 2022.
Does this grant cover sports teams?
If the organization is a nonprofit, then it would qualify to complete the application.
Can multiple projects be combined into one application?
Yes. An organization may submit several projects under one application. Each project description should include a budget and a timeline.
When will we know if we are being awarded IMPACT! funding?
Applications will be reviewed in a timely manner. The goal is for grant contracts to be executed by the end of 2022.
Can we ask for building materials for a project that will be completed by volunteer labor?
Yes. Building materials only may be requested.
What should we do if the contact person the application changes?
Submitted applications can be reopened and edited. An email confirmation is sent after an application is submitted. This email contains the link to reopen the application in order to make changes.
What if we have projects that individually are under the $25,000 grant minimum?
The total request must be over the $25,000 minimum and under the $500,000 maximum. Combining small projects in order to reach the $25,000 minimum is permissable.
Do I need a Google account to use the online application?
A Google account is not required to open the form. Issues or concerns about the application can be addressed by contacting Becky Brackbill.
Our service area includes Franklin County. Could we apply for this grant?
Grant projects related to services provided within Franklin County would be considered appropriate for this funding.
We want to purchase property, but don't have a specific property in mind. Can we make a request without naming a specific property?
Yes. A proposal could request funding for the purchase of a property without naming the specific property. Once the property is found, the grant award could be used for the purchase. If the property costs more than the award, then the purchaser would be responsible for paying the difference between the grant award and the price of the property.
Would a project to replace secure document destruction equipment be considered under the area of "green infrastructure?"
No. This type of property does not fall under that category. Green infrastructure refers to water and sewer treatment projects. The type of project listed could be placed in the "other" category.
How many words/characters/spaces are allowed in the project description?
There is no word/character limit.
How do I upload multiple documents?
Questions 10, 11 and 12 in each application allow users to upload documents. You should be able to upload multiple documents in each section. If you have an issue doing so, please contact Becky Brackbill.
What if we don't have time to get a formal estimate from a contractor for needed work? Can we estimate it ourselves and get an estimate at a later date?
You may estimate costs for a project. It is important to remember that if estimates are higher than the grant amount awarded, then your organization would be responsible for those additional charges.
Could we use this grant funding for designing and permitting costs for a project?
If your project is explained as designing and permitting, then you could submit that plan for IMPACT! funding.
We understand that CenturyLink, as a for-profit company, is not eligible for the grants, but the specific example would be a project we are considering in Lurgan Township. Assuming that we need to partner with the township, can the 50% match come from the capital that we are contributing to the project (i.e. "local/private cash") or does that not qualify as a way for the municipality to match the grant? We are trying to figure out an example of how a municipality can use this grant program to bring broadband to their community through private company partnerships like us.
Yes. Your contribution as a partner in the application could be used for the 50% match that is required by municipalities.
Is the fundraising revenue based on the gross amount or do I subtract the expenses and use the net amount?
This will be based on gross amounts.
If a nonprofit applies for the grant but has letters of support from the municipalities it serves, can it still apply as a nonprofit or do we have to apply as a municipality and have a 50% match?
As long as the entity applying for the grant and will be doing the grant follow-up is a nonprofit organization, then you can apply under the nonprofit application.
A nonprofit agency lost its 501(c)(3) status due to filing its 990 incorrectly. There is no evidence of fraud and the agency is working through the corrections to regain its nonprofit status. Is the agency still eligible to complete a grant application?
Yes, the agency can apply in the hopes that its status is corrected by the time the grant awards are given. The agency will need to have its nonprofit status back in good standing in order to accept funding.
I have a project that is funded until June 2023. Could I request funding to continue the program after that date?
There is no fixed start date for projects. However, all funds must be expended by Dec. 31, 2026. Projects must also be completed by Dec. 31, 2026.
Should I count PPE money as income?
If you received PPE money during 2020, it is not counted. If you received PPE money after March 3, 2021, then yes, you should count it as income.
We want to start a new program and will need laptops and a staff person. Could we ask for funding for those things?
Yes, you could request funding for laptops and employing a new staff person.
Our fundraising does not follow a fiscal year. Do we have to provide revenue based on a calendar year if we are asking for revenue replacement?
Yes, you should use the fiscal calendar to determine revenue lost per year. Please follow the example provided above in this FAQ.
Will the application deadline be extended?
The grant application deadline of August 31, 2022 is firm. There will not be any extension give.
I need to update my application. Can I do that?
An application that has been submitted can be reopened by the person who entered the application to make updates. If there are documents that you have trouble uploading, you can email those to Becky Brackbill with a note asking that the documents be added to your application.
Could we have a project that takes place outside of Franklin County that could benefit Franklin County?
The project must be in Franklin County. Any equipment purchased for a project must be placed in Franklin County.
Could we partner with an entity that is outside of Franklin County?The applicant must have a footprint in Franklin County. Partners do not have to be in Franklin County.
If a municipality partners with another entity for a project, can the partnering entity provide 100% of the required match for the project?
Yes, the partner may provide up to 100% of the matching funds for a municipal project.
Can we request funding for day-to-day expenses such as wages, recruiting costs or costs for staff retention?
Costs that can be associated with COVID-19 could be requested, but not day-to-day expenses.
Is it possible that if the whole amount being requested is not granted that a partial amount could be awarded if specific projects are listed separately?
Yes, it is possible to receive a grant award amount that is less than the requested amount. If awarded funding, the expectation is that it will be sufficient to complete at least one of the proposed projects during the grant period.
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