What is the Step Outside Grant Program?
The ODNR Division of Wildlife Step Outside Grant Program is offered to local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other family and youth-oriented facilities to promote outdoor skills such as fishing, hunting, trapping, archery and shooting sports. These grants are designed to provide funding for activities that are otherwise unaffordable for the sponsoring agency or organization. They are not meant to fund existing programs or to provide ongoing funding for newly established programs or activities. This mini-application is designed to facilitate the application process and to make the grants accessible to all interested agencies and organizations.
What are some suggested activities that are eligible for funding?
- Family Fishing Days (fishing and aquatic education activities)
- Outdoor Skills Days (shooting and fishing activities)
- Shooting Skills Days (rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, archery shooting)
- Beginning Trapping Skills Days (hands-on trapping activities)
- Advanced Hunting Clinics (species specific to include hands-on participation)
- National Hunting and Fishing Day Activities
- Free Fishing Days Activities and Celebration
- National Fishing Week Activities
- National Trapping Month Activities
NOTE: Activities involving competition are not eligible. Activities and events must have an educational value and include a hands-on experience.
What are some examples of expenses that grant money be used for?
- Insurance
- Picnic supplies/refreshments
- Ammunition, shooting supplies, targets and clay targets
- Live bait and terminal fishing tackle
- Advertisement flyers and brochures for the scheduled event
- Special population supplies and services (interpreters, adaptive equipment)
When is the application deadline?
- The application period is ongoing throughout the fiscal year until all funds are exhausted.
- All applications must be submitted a minimum of 60 days in advance of the event.
Who is eligible to apply for the grant?
Schools, park and recreation departments, conservation groups, local governments, and other organizations that have Federal Tax ID Number and want to sponsor fishing, hunting, trapping, archery and shooting sports within Ohio are eligible. Multiple agencies may work cooperatively to conduct a program or event. The grant applicant is responsible for contract administration, permitting, fund management and final report submission.
NOTE: Private individuals are not eligible
How much money is available?
An organization can apply for one (1) Step Outside Grant in a fiscal year and can be divided between project proposals. Each Step Outside Grant is $500 total per fiscal year and can be divided between project proposals. In some situations, an organization can apply for two (2) Step Outside Grants in a fiscal year.
How long does the grant process take?
Applicants must allow a minimum of 60 days to receive funds. A grant cannot be awarded for an event that has already taken place.
What items and support must the grant recipient provide?
- Appropriate site and facility for the event/activity (the recipient doesn’t have to own the facility)
- Coordination and planning for the event/activity
- Personnel and staffing for the event/activity
- Acknowledgment of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program as cosponsors.
What type of programming is preferred?
Programs consisting of all R3 components (recruitment, retention and reactivation) are highly recommended. Information regarding R3 can be found at: http://www.cahss.org.
How is the program funded?
Funding for the Aquatic Education Grant Program is comprised of money from license/permit revenues and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. For more information about this program please refer to the USFWS website: http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/AboutUs/WSFRProgramBrochure2011.pdf
How many people should the activity include?
Activities supported through the grant must include a minimum of 25 participants OR be open to the public. A ratio of one instructor for every five participants is recommended.
Who can participate in the activity?
All activities supported by the ODNR Division of Wildlife must be open to all citizens regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, mobility, visual disabilities, or learning disabilities. Risk management and safety considerations, however, may limit active participation by some age or ability groups.
Who is responsible for the coordination of safety and risk management concerns?
The grant recipient is responsible for all safety and risk management concerns. The ODNR Division of Wildlife does not accept any liability for damage or injury resulting from activities supported through the Step Outside Grant. The cost of liability insurance, however, can be purchased with grant funds.