How To Request Funding

The State Capital Improvements Bill

Officials from cultural and sports facilities around the state frequently inquire about the possibility of obtaining project funding from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission.  However, the Commission does not have control over discretionary funds that can be awarded to facilities. 

All of the projects that are funded through the agency are assigned to us by the General Assembly and Governor in the biennial capital improvements bill.  This bill, which usually is enacted in even-numbered years, appropriates money for the acquisition, construction, equipment or renovation of buildings and facilities.  While most of the money is devoted to state government, public school and university facilities, some normally is set aside for community projects such as the theatres, museums,  historical sites and publicly owned professional sports facilities that are assigned to the Commission.  Biennial capital budgets are generally adopted by the legislature in the spring or summer of even-numbered years. 

To be considered for funding, you are responsible for approaching your area's representatives in the General Assembly.  If you need help determining the names of your legislators, visit the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate web sites.

There is no official application process for capital funding.  Projects that are successful in securing support are appropriated a specific amount of funds in a line item in the capital budget.  Eligible projects are then "assigned" to the Commission for funding oversight.

Eligibility of projects to receive funding via the Commission

Prior to approaching your legislators to request an appropriation, it is helpful to understand if your project is eligible for funding through the Commission. We recommend that you take the following items into consideration.  Note that while it is not required for these items to be in place before funding is appropriated, knowing the status of each project may help the legislature as it establishes a priority list for the capital bill.

Project Type

Is the facility a visual/performing arts center; science and technology center; local historical facility; state-owned historical facility or publicly owned professional sports facility?

• Projects funded through the Commission must fall within these categories.  Other types of projects may receive funding via different state agencies, such as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Department of Development.

Is the facility owned and operated by an Ohio-incorporated 501(c)(3) organization (not-for-profit) or an Ohio local government?

• For-profit ventures may not receive funding through the Commission, nor may non-Ohio sponsors.

Project Status

Has a feasibility study been done?  Are there cost estimates for the project?

• The Commission recommends that prior to appropriating funds for a construction project, the project sponsors have a clear understanding of why you want the funding, what it will be used for, and what you want to accomplish.
• If a study has not been completed, you may want to consider requesting an appropriation for this purpose.  The Commission is willing and able to assist with oversight of such planning work.

Is there a comprehensive business plan/operating pro-forma?

• In accordance with state law, the Commission must determine that there is a need for all facilities funded through the Commission, whether or not the General Assembly has already made an appropriation.  As part of the assessment of need, the Commission requires presentation of an operating pro-forma to demonstrate the fiscal viability of proposed projects.
• Capital projects that receive State appropriations through the Commission are required to result in successful facilities that are able to support themselves for the long-term.
• The Commission's statute precludes us from providing operating funds.

Community Support

Have any private and/or local government funds been committed to the project?  If so, how much?

• Commission-funded projects require a “local match” or "local contribution." 
• For cultural facilities, the amount of the match must be $1 for every $2 appropriated by the state.  The local contribution may include cash contributions, the value of land and existing buildings and new funds set aside in an endowment.
• For sports facilities, the amount of the local match must be 85 percent of the initial project construction cost estimate (the state may provide up to a maximum of 15 percent).  The local match is local funding for 85 percent of the construction cost.  Land and existing buildings cannot be included as part of the match for sports facilities per the Ohio Revised Code.
• The Commission cannot release funds to a project unless all necessary funding has been documented and verified.

For a summary of Commission project requirements, please click here.

Technical Assistance and Services

While the Commission does not play a formal role in the decisions surrounding capital appropriations, we can assist communities and state officials in determining project eligibility.  Our staff is happy to provide assistance to project sponsors preparing to make capital bill requests. Meetings and/or phone calls can be arranged by contacting the Commission office (contact info below).

---

Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, 20 East Broad St., Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3416, tel: (614) 752-2770, fax: (614) 752-2775