The Murphy Administration announced Wednesday three open grant funding opportunities. The LEAP grants offer financial support to local government entities to identify and promote opportunities for shared services. Additionally, the grants provide counties, municipalities, school districts, authorities, and fire districts assistance with the study or implementation of any local or regional service agreement, or for the coordination of programs and services authorized under the Uniform Shared Service and Consolidation Act. The program is available to all local governments.
Challenge Grants:
This grant program is designed to promote innovation among peer communities and counties across New Jersey, and challenge municipalities and counties to collaborate on more extensive partnerships that produce shared services of notable significance. LEAP Challenge Grants provide reimbursement for qualifying expenses incurred in the development of approved programs and services authorized under the Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act. Local units are invited to compete for a share of $150,000 in available funds within each county. New Jersey counties, municipalities, school districts, commissions, authorities and fire districts may apply. Any two or more of these entities may submit a joint application seeking funding for a proposal. Application Deadline: 2/28/2020.
For further details please see the Grant Guidelines and Application: Challenge Grant Guidelines; Challenge Grant Application
Implementation Grants:
$3.8 million has been allocated to help cover costs associated with shared services implementation such as one-time reimbursable costs for project completion or transition support which may include, but are not limited to, new technology costs incurred as part of equipping a shared services program, rebranding costs, equipment and vehicle outlays, professional services, rent for facilities, payroll system conversion costs, and training. Funding is based on the total transition or implementation cost of a project. This grant program also provides a total of $2 million for reimbursement of costs associated with school consolidation and countywide school district studies that support the creation of meaningful and implementable regionalization plans. K-12 regionalization and countywide school district studies will be given first priority. Application Deadline: Rolling (however, available funding is limited under the applicable FY2020 appropriation, and any award of funds in the FY2020 funding cycle must be made on or before June 30, 2020).
For further details please see the Grant Guidelines and Application: Implementation Grant Guidelines; Implementation Grant Application; Implementation Grant School Feasibility Study Application
County Coordinator Fellowship Grants:
Funds will be allocated to each county for the purpose of hiring a fellow to work full-time with the county and each local unit within the county or any entity with which they may be able to share services to identify and advance shared service opportunities. This grant is also available to supplement existing coordinator functions, but funds may only be used for a new position, not an offset of expenses incurred for an existing position. Each New Jersey county is encouraged to apply for a $50,000 grant for the purpose of funding a one-year, full-time position. Application Deadline: 2/28/2020.
For further details please see the Grant Guidelines and Application: County Coordinator Fellowship Grant Guidelines; County Coordinator Fellowship Application
To learn more about LEAP Grants, please visit the DCA's website.
Read the full press release issued by the DCA.