Applications & Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for RAD funding, an applicant MUST:

• Be a governmental entity or non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, with an IRS 501(c)(3) certificate on file with the District at the time of application.
• Have a minimum of two current fiscal years entered in the SMU DataArts project.
• Have a board-adopted budget and regular financial reporting to its board.
• Have an independent audit if requesting a total of $30,000 or more in RAD support.
• Be the owner/beneficial owner and operator of the program or facility for which funds are sought.
• Be current on all government taxation and regulatory compliance matters.
• Be domiciled in Allegheny County.
• Provide the majority of its programming or services in Allegheny County.
• Have a board-adopted current diversity plan.
• Have a designated accessibility coordinator.
• Be compliant with District requirements.

Act 77 prohibits RAD from funding:

• Any health care facility or institution which predominantly provides elementary, secondary or higher education or other training.
• Any park less than 200 acres except for linear parks located in more than one municipality.
• Any asset which fails to serve a significant number of residents outside of the municipality in which the asset is located.
• Any library which is not part of a library system serving multiple municipalities.

In addition, RAD does not provide funding for:

• Social/human service agencies and programs.
• Parades, single or short term events, or festivals.
• Local recreation programs, facilities and activities such as teams and leagues.
• Economic and/or housing development organizations, agencies and programs.
• Services such as public safety and health programs, water and sewer projects, bridges, vistas and roads.
• Historical monuments unless part of an otherwise eligible regional asset, such as a regional park or museum, or sufficient funds have been raised and set aside at the time of the application.
• Organizations not open to the public on a regular and consistent basis.
• Capital projects that include private land acquisition.
• Capital projects for first-time applicants.

First Time Applicants

If you have never applied for RAD funds or it has been three or more years since receiving RAD funding, you are required to meet with RAD staff. Interested applicants must obtain approval in the Grant Portal before they can submit application forms. Please call RAD (412-227-1900) and ask to speak with a program officer or email Diane Hunt to discuss eligibility and other requirements.

Grant Portal Upgrade

In 2024, RAD made significant upgrades to its Grant Portal. The new and improved portal allows RAD’s grant process to take place in one streamlined location. The portal will allow RAD to accept multiple application forms, including project grant applications and a newly separated capital grant application. The new system is more user friendly and meets current web accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.2). There are also additional security features, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Application Information

Applications for 2025 operating and capital grants are now open.

If you are interested in applying for funding, please review our 2025 Application Guidelines and Instructions. This document contains instructions on using the Grant Portal, guidelines for the annual operating grant program, the operating grant application form questions, and instructions for applying. Requirements may change from year to year; please always review the most current version.

All applicants must have current data (as of the time applications are submitted) entered into the DataArts system. You are able to submit updated information free of charge to the DataArts system year round. The guidelines contain complete information on the DataArts system and how to get help with that process.

RAD has an annual budget process that begins with the application process in the Spring, and ends with a budget adoption in November for the following year. Each proposed allocation requires the support of six board members. All meetings and votes of the board are conducted under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, which requires public meetings and opportunities for public comment.

NOTE: All RAD applications are public record.

Capital Grant Requests

Capital requests will be accepted for 2025. Applications for capital funding are only accepted from organizations that currently receive RAD funding. Beginning in 2024 for the 2025 application cycle, the Capital Grant application will be a separate form to fill out and submit in the Grant Portal. The application cycle, review process, and RAD budget process is the same as for annual operating grants.

Urgent, shovel-ready capital maintenance, major equipment purchases and major repairs to existing facilities are eligible as are projects and equipment designed to make facilities and programming more accessible. Useful life of improvements should be reasonably consistent with applicants' ownership or lease situation. Financial support from other sources will be taken into consideration during evaluation. Grants awarded will have two years for drawdown, beginning on January 1 of the award year. Planning and feasibility studies are not eligible.

The 2025 Application Guidelines and Instructions contains the capital grant application form questions and instructions for applying.

Grant Portal FAQ

If, after reviewing the Application Guidelines and Instructions, you have questions about the Grant Portal, refer to the Grant Portal FAQ.