by: Andy Jesson, AOF Policy & Communications Intern
In even-numbered years, the Ohio General Assembly is tasked with passing a capital budget for the succeeding two fiscal years. The capital budget provides funding for state-owned infrastructure and community investment projects. Ohio’s capital budget for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 totaled $3.5 billion in appropriations, with the majority of the dollars going towards the Intel investment in Licking County, public schools, and state parks. Just short of $200 million funded community projects.
Presently, House Speaker Jason Stephens and Senate President Matt Huffman hold contrasting views in regards to the planning period for next year’s capital budget. While Speaker Stephens hopes to have a proposed budget in place by the beginning of April, Huffman, reportedly for political reasons, has suggested waiting to start negotiations until after the primary elections are held in the spring.
Whether the upcoming capital budget is delayed or not, nonprofit organizations seeking funds for capital projects should act now for the best chance of approval. The Ohio Office of Budget and Management provides a 14 page document detailing eligibility requirements for community project funding. Within this resource is a step-by-step guide for a nonprofit applying for funds, details about the approval process, and information about attainment of funds following approval.
Basic eligibility for community project funding through the capital budget requires the requester be a government entity or nonprofit organization, and funding must be directed towards the acquisition, construction, or otherwise improvement of capital assets. Funds may be used towards the purchase of equipment or furnishings, but must be done within the context of a broader capital project with approval. A comprehensive list of allowable expenditures can be found here.
With ongoing disagreements regarding the formation of next year’s capital budget, the best path forward for organizations seeking state funds is contacting legislators as soon as possible to bring projects to their attention. In the previous capital budget, limited funds were reserved for community projects, as most of the funding benefits state-owned entities. Action now gives nonprofit organizations the greatest opportunity to secure future funding for the betterment of their organizational goals.