Self- Help Grant Program Opens
The 2026 Walsh County Self-Help Grant Program is now open. Applications are being accepted until April 22, 2026. The purpose of the program is to support community betterment projects in Walsh County cities using County funds. The program is managed by the Walsh County JDA on behalf of the County.
There are many ways communities can use these county funds for betterment projects. Examples of past projects include maintenance and mowing at a city park, street lighting repairs, and sidewalk and street repair. The main objective of the program is to promote development in Walsh County communities. There are four program criteria:
1. Requests cannot exceed one-half of the total project cost, nor can the request exceed $1,500.
2. The county funds must be matched 1:1. Funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis with supporting documentation, including itemized invoice and cancelled check.
3. A copy of the meeting minutes when the applicant approved the project must be included with the application. The City must include in its minutes that it plans to apply for a specific project.
4. Any change in scope of the awarded project or if a City would like to use funds for a different project than awarded, the change must be approved by the County.
Only one application from each City should be submitted. If the City isn’t applying for its own project, it can apply on behalf of another entity for a project in the community (i.e. City applies for funds for park district project).
Information was mailed to all City mayors and auditors in early January. A fillable application is available here: 2026 Self-Help Application
