All too often federal grant monies are sought based on where the money is located, how much is available, and how easy it is to get. Factors such as community needs, and ability to sustain the programs over time are sometimes left out of the decision-making process.

No federal grant programs have unlimited funds; thus, they allocate monies based on need— needs that must be justified by the applicant. The community should be a microcosm of the same allocation process. Unlimited local funds are not available; therefore, needs must be identified and programs must be developed based on the identified needs. The next logical step would then be to apply for federal grants to accomplish the priority programs.

The model is based on the principles of the planning, programming, and budgeting system (P.P.B.S.). No cookbook solutions are offered and no specific programs are discussed in detail. Rather than reviewing the application forms of the more important programs, this article presents a logical administrative process by which grant monies should be sought.

The process is diagrammed as follows:

The initial step is to identify community needs. This is often very difficult to do and consequently is done on an intuitive basis or based on yesterday's problems. A better process which has been developed by the Office of Recreation and Park Resources of the University of Illinois is a survey of attitudes and interests of the community. This type of survey can be used to not only identify needs but also to assist in the priority ranking scheme.

These identified needs are the basis for the comprehensive plan —the document in which all programs are developed, coordinated, and ranked according to priority. The programs are the basis for budget planning, priority items receiving the major consideration. Next the cost of each budget item should be determined. The budget then becomes the foundation for grant applications, if it is based on the planning, programming, and budgeting concept.

Grants are sought according to the priority ranking, priority one being considered first. Library research is done to determine what grants are available. Preliminary contact with the agencies handling the grants can be used to eliminate certain programs. The best grant program is selected based on the library research, preliminary agency contacts, and past experience of yourself and others. A final contact should be made to the agency to ensure that monies are still available and that your program/development is a reasonable request that will receive due consideration.

Several factors must be considered when applying for federal grants. A few of the more important ones are:

1. Approved comprehensive plan. Not only must one have a comprehensive plan but it also must be approved by the regional planning commission and must be in harmony with the state outdoor recreation plan. Another reason for this plan is that special funds often become avail-

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able immediately under a short-duration program. Acceptance of applications is based on having an approved comprehensive plan.

2. Areas of concern. Three concerns are common to most grant programs — large population centers, poverty neighborhoods, and lack of public lands. Thus, the thrust at present is land acquisition in or near large populations. However, some monies are available to the smaller, more rural communities.

3. Cost-sharing. Matching local monies must be available; one cannot solicit from two or more grant sources for the same development just to avoid cost-sharing. For example, one cannot solicit $25,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to use as the local cost-sharing monies for a $25,000 HUD open space grant. In the poverty stricken areas, special regional, state, and federal funds are often available for use as local matching monies; plus, the amount of cost-sharing for certain poverty programs can be as little as 10% to 20%. Some facets of programs such as relocation payments of HUD's open space program are 100 % federally funded.

4. Innovation. Innovative programs that accomplish community goals with minimal expenditure of money and can be used as models for other communities are given top priority in funding.

5. Interest and enthusiasm. Personal interest of the administrator may make the difference between approval or disapproval of the application. Personal interest and timely follow-up, without overdoing it, is one indicator of the value of the project to the community.

6. Maintenance and operation expenses. No program at present provides for continuing support of local programs through maintenance and operation funds. Thus, the local governmental body must be able to handle the annual maintenance and operation expenses.

Library Reference Material

Every administrator should have a minimal library on federal grant and assistance programs. The following is a list of important basic publications that are available through the U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402:

1. Federal Assistance in Outdoor Recreation.

2. Private Assistance in Outdoor Recreation.

3. Coordination of Federal Outdoor Recreation Programs.

4. Federal Outdoor Recreation Programs and Recreation-Related Environmental Programs.

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FEDERAL GRANTS

Continued from Page 21

5. Outdoor Recreation Action
(quarterly periodical).

6. A Guide to Federal Programs for Illinois Communities, Department of Local Governmental Affairs, State Office Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706.

Besides having the basic library materials, one must also keep current on new programs and new appropriations. Periodicals such as Outdoor Recreation, Action Parks and Recreation, and Illinois Parks and Recreation provide information on new programs and appropriations as well as who received monies for what purposes. Contact with grant recipients can give great insight into programs and also problems in applying for the grant.

Another means of keeping current is to maintain your agency on federal mailing lists. Most federal department and separate agencies have information news releases which are available to the general public by simply writing to the department or agency. The following mailing lists are recommended as a minimum:

1. Departments of Interior (20240) ; Agriculture (20250) ; Commerce (20230); Health, Education, and Welfare (20201) ; Housing and Urban Development (20210); and Labor (20212).

2. Your U. S. Senator, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20013.

3. Your U. S. Representative, House of Representatives Office Building, Washington, D. C. 20515.

4. State Department of Conservation (Illinois News), Division of Education, State Office Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706.

There are probably no more important ingredients in the whole process than optimism and perseverance. Don't give up or become discouraged. If monies are not available for things you need to do, let your professional organizations know your plight. Work through them and your elected representatives. Most of all get your planning completed and approved; be ready when the money becomes available. And, finally, keep abreast of new programs and new appropriations; don't overlook already available funds.

The zip code for each department is in the parentheses to the right of the department's name. The mailing address for each is Department of ____________, Washington, D. C., Zip Code.

Alan Jubenville is an Outdoor Recreation Specialist, Office of Recreation and Park Resources, University of Illinois.

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