The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was
established by an act of the General Assembly in 1993. The Pennsylvania
Department of Education (PDE), through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries,
Bureau of Library Development, administers the public library portion of this
program which is funded from a portion of realty transfer taxes.
Grants pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs to plan, acquire,
construct, or rehabilitate public library facilities. Examples of fundable
projects include, but are not limited to: ADA upgrades, new roof, replacement
windows, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new
construction.
Keystone grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar. Matching funds may
include cash and in-kind contributions, federal funds, and other state funds.
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. PDE Uses grant award criteria
(e.g. need, funding priorities, etc.) to evaluate and score applications.
To apply, a sponsoring municipality and the board of the state-aided library
must submit an application jointly that is developed cooperatively and signed
by both governing bodies.
For inquiries regarding the Keystone grant program,
contact Ed Lupico, Keystone Grants Administrator, 717-783-5747 or ra-keystone@pa.gov
2020 Keystone Grant Cycle
The 2020 Keystone grant cycle opened on January 3, 2020. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 10, 2020. Awards are expected to be made in early fall of 2020, with projects completed between October 2020 and March 2022.
2019 Keystone Grant Cycle
The 2019 Keystone grant cycle is now closed.
Grants were awarded
in late 2019 and will be completed in 2021.