Green Improvement Fund

The Save the Rain GIF Program Is
Not Currently Accepting Applications

The purpose of Onondaga County’s Green Improvement Fund (GIF) is to support the development of green infrastructure and stormwater mitigation techniques on private property.

Since its inception, GIF has provided over $11.6 million in funding to local green infrastructure projects on private property. The 98 projects completed to date capture more than 48.5 million gallons of stormwater runoff each year in the City of Syracuse.

Eligible property owners can apply to receive financial incentives for the installation of Green Infrastructure (GI) Technologies, including but not limited to:

• Rain gardens
• Bioretention
• Dry wells
• Underground infiltration systems
• Green roofs
• Porous pavement
• Tree plantings
• Tree trenches        
• Planter boxes
• Cistern systems
• Added green space

Grant funding is made available only for project features associated with the installation of green infrastructure solutions and elements of the project that are needed to mitigate stormwater runoff.

Funding Eligibility

GIF grant funding offers assistance to applicants installing GI technologies as an aspect of the development, redevelopment, and/or retrofitting of certain classes of privately owned properties (commercial, business, and not-for-profit owned properties) in specific geographical locations within the Clinton, Harbor Brook and Midland Combined Sewersheds (CSS), as outlined in the Green Improvement Fund Program Boundary Map, and located in select areas within the City of Syracuse.

2022-2023 Funding Limits

Properties located in sewershed 007 are restricted to $200,000 maximum award per applicant, and subject to an aggregate budget limit of $400,000 in total. Properties in sewersheds 021 and 080A are restricted to $200,000 maximum award per applicant, and subject to an aggregate budget limit of $400,000in total.

Properly completed applications will be processed in the order they are received, and once a maximum allotment has been awarded, no other applications will be considered in this application cycle. If this occurs, a revised GIF boundary map and application will be posted to the Save the Rain website reflecting the changes. The County reserves the right to increase available funding in these aggregate restricted sewersheds.

Program procedures

The GIF program award process consists of the following seven steps:

1. Grant applicants will complete and submit application form
2. Application will be reviewed by GIF Committee for consideration of eligibility and funding recommendation. Recommendations are made to Onondaga County based on the amount capture volume associated with each project. Determination of project eligibility and funding levels rest solely with Onondaga County whose decisions will be final.
3. Onondaga County will notify applicant whether or not the project is deemed eligible, and if so, award the amount.
4. Applicant and County will enter into formal contract agreement for reimbursement.
5. Applicant will complete project as outlined in contract terms.
6. Upon completion of construction, Onondaga County will review project to ensure installation of green infrastructure as specified in contract terms and issue a certificate of completion.
7. Applicant will submit copy of certificate of completion and completed claim form, provided by the County, and receive a one-time lump sum payment.