Meeting the match — without doing it alone.

How the ORLP match works

• ORLP is a 50–50 matching program: it reimburses up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, and the applicant provides at least 50 percent from eligible non-federal sources. Example: on a $500,000 project, ORLP may reimburse up to $250,000, and the applicant provides the remaining $250,000.
• ORLP is a reimbursement program — recipients pay project costs up front and request reimbursement after eligible expenses are incurred.
• You are not expected to have all match finalized at the initial application. At a minimum, describe your plan: the anticipated source or sources, estimated amounts, and the status of any discussions or commitments. Match sources must be finalized before a grant award is issued. Explain match clearly in the project budget and budget narrative.

What can count as match

• State funds — state grant programs or agency budgets.
• City or county funds — regular budget allocations, bonds, levies, or other local funding.
• Private or philanthropic funding — family or community foundations, nonprofit partners, local businesses, or other private contributions.
• Eligible federal funds — only in the limited cases where the other federal program has specific legal authority to be used as match (see next section).
• In-kind contributions — donated land, volunteer services, professional services, materials, or equipment use, when properly valued, documented, and approved before reimbursement.

For in-kind contributions, applicants should be ready to provide supporting documentation: signed volunteer time records, donation letters, independent appraisals for donated real property, equipment-use records, or cost estimates showing fair-market value. Keep clear records of how each contribution was valued.

Can federal funds be used as match?

In most cases, federal funds cannot be used as match for ORLP. The exception is narrow: another federal program must have specific legal authority allowing its funds to be used as match for a federal grant. Do not assume federal funds qualify unless the funding program clearly allows it.

Programs that may qualify in specific circumstances:

• HUD Community Development Block Grants
• Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program
• Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program
• Certain FEMA resilience or mitigation funds
• Congressionally directed spending or community project funding — depending on the authority of the specific source.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure funds meet all requirements for both ORLP and the other federal program. Confirm allowability with the agency administering the other funds and with NPS before relying on them as match.

Where to look — external resources

These resources can help you identify, understand, or document potential match. Inclusion here does not guarantee a source is eligible as ORLP match — confirm eligibility before relying on any source.