The purpose of the grant is to provide funds to local parents/teacher and other school based volunteer associations for the beautification of community public schools (i.e., landscaping, painting of interior or exterior of building, playground maintenance wildlife habitat enhancements, forest conservation planting and water quality improvements).

Certain projects may be utilized toward Forestry credit under the Forest Conservation Program. However, the final determination of whether the project qualified for such credit shall be made by the Department of Planning and Zoning.

Grants are only available to Parent/Teacher and other school based volunteer associations. No funding will be provided to individual parents, or to individual schools. The Board of Education and/or the Principal of the school must approve the project before any grant funds are awarded. The President of the school based volunteer associations must sign the application, and will be the person responsible for ensuring that the project is completed in accordance with the application and general conditions.

The applicant must identify a contact person who will be responsible for the project and who will have the authority to make decisions regarding changes or enhancements to the project.

All levels of funding may be considered up to a $5,000 limit per project. Organizations may apply for more than one grant.

Funding will be provided for materials only. No funding will be provided for labor or other expenses. Grant monies must be utilized for the purpose stated in the grant application.

Harford County Government employees may utilize up to 4 hours of liberal leave if volunteering on the project.

Grant applications must be submitted to the Department of Community Services for review. Incomplete or inappropriate applications will be returned.

Applications will be reviewed and approved by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits to ensure that applicable codes and measures are followed and that appropriate credit is given to projects that may be counted toward forest conservation credit.

At the discretion of the Department of Community Services, grant applicants may be invited to appear to answer questions related to the scope of the project or additional justification for planned expenditures. Applicants requesting funds for existing projects may be asked to appear to discuss project status and results. Any school based volunteer associations that receive funds will be required to submit and adhere to a budget.

The Department of Community Services will make all final funding decisions.

In kind county contributions and/or HCPS in kind contributions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Applicants may contact their Project Coordinator to see what materials may be available.

Applicant must adhere to and will be responsible for any and all contingencies of the award.

The Grantee agrees to abide by the rules, regulations and conditions as are determined by the Department of Community Services.

All funds awarded under this grant must be spent by such time as specified in the Conditions of Grant Award unless otherwise determined by the Department of Community Services. Any funds received but not spent must be returned to Harford County Government no later than thirty (30) days after completion of the project or the end of the fiscal year, whichever occurs first.

Any changes to the program must be in writing and approved by the Department of Community Services.

Materials and equipment purchased with grant funds must be used for the purpose stated in the application.

Harford County Government may, after reasonable notice, inspect, review or audit the financial and programmatic records of the project and may visit the project.

If the Grantee has difficulty implementing the project during the grant period, the grantee agrees to contact the Department of Community Services for assistance.

The Grantee acknowledges and agrees that it is not acting as an agent for Harford County Government or the Harford County Board of Education, but is acting independently and agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Harford County and Harford County Public Schools and Board of Education, its employees, agents and volunteers from any liability arising out of implementation of the program funded by the grant.

Harford County Government, in its sole discretion, may terminate this agreement at will upon seven (7) days written notice to the Grantee.

A Progress/Financial Report must be submitted to the Department of Community Services no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the fiscal year or at the completion of the project, whichever occurs first.

Funds provided under this grant must be used to accomplish the goals and objectives as stated in the Grantee's application. No portion of the funds may be used to promote or further non-secular purposes.

Grant applications will be accepted until May 1st unless grant funding is exhausted prior to that date.