PURPOSE:
The primary purpose of the Clinton County Solid Waste Management District is to increase waste reduction by encouraging recycling and litter prevention activities throughout Clinton County. One method in which the Solid Waste District promotes this message is by maintaining a presence in local schools, thus educating the students, teachers, and staff about ways in which they can play an active role in conserving and protecting our natural resources.

With this in mind, the Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring the PEAR Grant (Promoting Environmental Awareness & Recycling) to provide Clinton County schools with the necessary resources to implement recycling and litter prevention activities/education on their campuses, thus furthering environmental awareness and participation of all individuals.

GRANT AMOUNTS:
The Solid Waste District has specifically set aside $3,000 in funds to be used for PEAR grants in 2026. Funding will be distributed based upon priority, with the final selection being made by the Clinton County Solid Waste Grant Review Committee. The grants are competitive and require the schools to provide matching funds.

ELIGIBILITY:
Applications for the PEAR Grant will be accepted from any public or private school in Clinton County, and may include non-profit pre-schools. Each school building within a district may apply for funding for environmental education activities provided that these activities are based upon recycling and/or litter prevention theme. Funding is provided by the Clinton County Solid Waste Management District and projects will be reviewed on an individual basis. Distribution will be based upon the availability of funds. The following is a timeline for the 2026 PEAR Grant program:

• November 30, 2025 at 12:00 noon – Application deadline
       NOTE: Late or incomplete applications will NOT be considered for funding.
• February 2026 – Award notification and check presentations
• November 30, 2026 – Final Report deadline for all grant recipients

MATCHING FUNDS:
Matching funds not only help to demonstrate a sense of commitment on behalf of applicants, but also offset the overall cost of projects, thus making funds available for more qualifying programs. A minimum match of 25 percent is required, but those projects providing additional matching funds or in-kind support may be given greater consideration during the selection process. However, if securing the necessary matching funds is an issue, applicants are encouraged to contact the District at (937) 382-6177 to discuss various options. (The Solid Waste Management District reserves the right to adjust matching fund requirements.)

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Each completed application must be received by the Clinton County Solid Waste Management District by 12:00 noon on November 30, 2025. (Late and/or incomplete applications will NOT be considered for funding.)

Included with the application must be:

1. A completed Project Narrative describing the project along with the long term objectives and benefits to the school, the students, and the community. Preservation of the natural environment should be the highest priority.
   
   
2. A completed Budget Summary detailing the items to be purchased and what role they will play in the overall project. An itemized list of all anticipated costs should be included, with a minimum of two (2) price quotes attached. Items requiring a 25 percent match on the part of the applying school should be calculated as 25 percent of the total cost. (i.e. If the project costs $100, then the school will be responsible for providing $25, and the Solid Waste District will provide $75.)
   
   
3. A Letter of Support/Authorization signed by the applicant’s Superintendent and Building Principal indicating that the applicant is authorized to apply for and implement the proposed grant project.
   
   
4. Clear Timeline for major steps in the program. 

SELECTION PROCESS:
Selection of grant recipients is based on information contained in the grant application, especially the section detailing the project and the expected benefits it will produce. The final selections will be made by the Clinton County Solid Waste Grant Review Committee following a review of all applications. Funding amounts will be distributed to recipients based on priority as decided by the Grant Review Committee.

Selection criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:

• An overall objective to increasing recycling and/or litter prevention.
  
  
• Projects in which learners engage in hands-on activities and become actively involved in the projects.
  
  
• Learning experiences using resources and sites outside of the classroom.
  
  
• Teachers using educational practices that result in learners acquiring lifelong skills.
  
  
• Projects actively involving partnerships with other schools and/or community organizations, such as businesses, civic groups, or volunteer-based organizations.
  
  
• Projects with proposed budgets that are realistic and appropriate and include at least two price quotes from prospective vendors.
  
  
• 25% matching funds are required for all projects, but further consideration will be given to those projects with additional matching funds and/or in-kind support.  These supplemental funds could come from various sources such as PTO’s, school monies, clubs, donations, service projects, etc. – anything to show a firm commitment to the satisfactory completion of the project.

ALLOWABLE COSTS:

• School-generated recycling and/or litter prevention projects – which encourage students to explore and engage in hands-on recycling, waste reduction, or litter prevention activities. Innovation and creativity are encouraged. (Example: Items needed to start or expand a school paper recycling program.)
  
  
• Construction costs of approved items – only items such as compost bins, recycling collection/storage units, or other items approved as tools for recycling and/or litter prevention activities will be allowed. Each construction project will be reviewed and selection will be made on an individual basis.
  
  
• Educational resource materials – includes resources that are necessary in furthering the education and awareness of students, faculty, or staff. These materials are restricted to items that promote recycling/litter prevention and include, but are not limited to, books, magazines, computer software, videos, etc.
  
  
• Field trips/school-wide educational assemblies – monies are available for approved classroom field trips outside of school or for hosting assemblies or other learning activities for students in-school. (Example: Field trip to a recycling center or fees associated with hosting a featured speaker for a school assembly.)
  
  
• Professional Development – cost to train teachers in various recycling/litter prevention programs or to conduct other related education workshops, in-services, or field trips.
  
  
• Purchase of recycled – content products – includes items to be placed around the school grounds such as plastic recycled benches, picnic tables, playground equipment, fences, trash/recycling collection containers, etc. Items must contain at least fifty percent (50%) post-consumer waste and be included as part of a school recycling education program.
  
  
• Equipment – includes costs to purchase, lease, or rent equipment or other items needed for approved recycling/litter prevention projects. Please check with the Solid Waste District’s Education Specialist if you have any questions about items not specifically listed under the allowable costs.
  
  
• Advertising and Printing – Costs to develop, produce, print, and/or place newspaper, billboard, radio, television, signage, or other forms of awareness for approved program activities (includes postage).
  
       Note: All printed material must contain the following funding credit line: 
            Funded by the Clinton County Solid Waste Management District.
   
  

• Recycling Supplies – Tools and other supplies used specifically for implementing a qualified curbside recycling program; includes curbside collection containers and/or decals.
  
  
• Other – Other items needed for satisfactory completion of curbside recycling activities not specifically noted above shall be left to the discretion of the Grant Review Committee. Any questions regarding such resources should be directed to the Clinton County Solid Waste Management District. (Personnel-related expenses are not considered an allowable expense.)
  
  Note: The Clinton County Solid Waste Management District does NOT, by award of grant monies, assume responsibility for approved projects. The Solid Waste District reserves the right to adjust matching fund requirements. Although grants are competitive, each project will be reviewed and selections will be made on an individual basis as funds permit.

EQUIPMENT AND SITE IMPROVEMENT DISPOSITION:
The grantee will maintain records for each piece of equipment costing $500 or more of grant funds awarded through this grant program. During the three-year period from the date the grantee is the recipient of any equipment or expends grant funds on site improvements, for which $500 or more of grant funds were expended, the grantee will not convert the equipment or site improvement to uses other than those originally approved by the Solid Waste District. The grantee will not transfer the equipment or site improvement without cost, and cannot sell the equipment or site improvement without the written approval of the District during this three-year period. This three-year condition applies only to equipment purchases and site improvements and begins the day the equipment is received.

If for any reason during the three-year period the grantee determines that the equipment or site improvement is no longer needed for its originally approved use, the grantee will provide written notification to the District regarding the finding. With the written approval of the District, the grantee may convert, transfer and/or sell the equipment or site improvement to a use other than that originally approved. For sales made during the three-year period, the grantee will repay to the District (checks submitted to the District should be made payable to “Clinton County Solid Waste Management District”) within forty-five (45) days of the approved sale of the equipment or site improvement, in accordance with the following schedule:

1. Within one year of the date the grantee received the equipment or site improvement, the grantee will repay to the District one-hundred percent (100%) of any expended funds granted by the District for the originally approved purchase of the equipment or site improvement.
   
   
2. During the second year after the date the grantee received the equipment or site improvement, the grantee will repay to the District seventy-five percent (75%) of any expended funds granted by the District for the originally approved purchase of the equipment or siteimprovement.
   
   
3. During the third year after the date the grantee received the equipment or site improvement, the grantee will repay to the District fifty percent (50%) of any expended funds granted by the District for the originally approved purchase of the equipment or site improvement.
   
   
4. Following the third year after the date the grantee received the equipment, the grantee may dispose of the equipment in a manner consistent with local regulations and without the approval of the District.

FINAL REPORT:
The project is not considered complete until the Solid Waste District has received a completed Final Report. The deadline for all Final Reports is November 30, 2026. Any complications associated with meeting this deadline must be submitted, in writing, to the Solid Waste District for review prior to the Final Report deadline.

     
    Below is a checklist of items that shall be included with the Final Report:

1. Final Report Narrative MUST be completed with all proper documentation
   
   
2. Recycling Impact Summary detailing the effects of the recycling program in the community (if applicable)
   
   
3. Equipment Summary Form listing each piece of equipment purchased in full, or in part, with grant funds that costs $500 or more (if applicable)
   
   
4. Photographic Documentation showing the various steps taken in completing the approved project. The photographs will be used by the Solid Waste District for their presentation before the Clinton County Board of Commissioners. 
   
   
5. Invoices are used to verify all expenditures of grant funds. The applicant must submit copies of the original paid invoices or receipts; purchase orders should not be submitted.
   
   
6. Unused Funds must be returned to the Solid Waste District. If the actual cost for the project comes in less than the approved budget, the grantee shall return a prorated portion of grant funds to the District. Checks for any unused funds shall be made out to: Clinton County Solid Waste Management District

COMMON MISTAKES THAT MAY CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO BE DENIED:

1. Late and/or incomplete application
   
2. Insufficient information within the Budget Narrative
3. Itemized budget does not reflect costs outlined in quote 
4. The sum of the "Total Cost" column within your BUDGET TABLE does not match the amount entered in the TOTAL PROJECT COST box.
5. Incomplete/vague Timeline

About the Applicant

Project Narrative

PEAR Grants can be very competitive.  This is your opportunity to showcase your proposal!  Please provide a detailed description of your proposed project.

Timeline

Upload a timeline of important tasks required to make your program successful. Include dates for each task and who is responsible for completing the task. Feel free to use the template available at https://co.clinton.oh.us/peargrants or you may create your own timeline.

Budget Details

Provide a detailed budget for your proposed program based upon the price quotes you have secured. Only list the vendor(s) and respective cost(s) for that company which you are requesting to use. Do NOT create an itemized list for ALL of your quotes, rather just the one(s) you are requesting to use.

Note: The itemized budget total MUST reconcile with the quote(s) you have requested to use.

Please see the example below for reference.

Price Quotes

Attach a minimum of two (2) price quotes or bids for each product or service to be used in completing your proposed grant program. 

• Primary Quotes: Scan all of the price quotes you plan to use into one file/document, and upload them under Primary Quotes. (These should be the price quotes listed in your BUDGET TABLE.)
   
• Secondary Quotes: All other price quotes that you are NOT planning to use should be scanned together and uploaded under Secondary Quotes. (Note: the Secondary Quotes should not be listed in your BUDGET TABLE.)

Letter of Support

Please upload a Letter of Authorization/Support signed by your School Principal and District Superintendent.  For your convenience, a sample letter is available on our website: https://co.clinton.oh.us/peargrants. 

IMPORTANT: If you wish to PRINT or SAVE this document, you must do so before clicking the SUBMIT button.