Over the past three years, Capital Strategic Solutions (CSS) has achieved a 100% success rate in securing grant awards for the Town of Oakham, Massachusetts. This remarkable accomplishment includes obtaining six grants, covering a range of critical municipal needs. Here’s a closer look at each grant and the process involved in securing them:
Massachusetts Municipal Fiber Optic Grant
This competitive grant program assists municipalities in constructing or completing municipal fiber networks. It supports centralized IT management, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery. To apply, municipalities must submit a detailed project proposal, including project purpose, budget, and impact. A 5% local match is required, which can be in-kind services. We coached the Town in developing the budget and gathering the information needed to submit a competitive application, and utilized that to submit the grant on their behalf. The Town was awarded over $172,000 to install fiber optic cable to network four critical town buildings.
Byrne JAG Municipal Law Enforcement Grant
The JAG Program is a federal grant administered through the states that provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, crime prevention, technology improvement and related initiatives. The Town sought these funds to replace outdated tasers and purchase new digital portable radios to augment what they had received when they joined a regional dispatch center. We assisted the Town in navigating the requirements of the grant, refining their proposal, and developing and submitting the grant for which they were awarded almost $49,000.
Body-Worn Camera Grant for Police Agencies
This grant provides funding for police departments to equip officers with body-worn cameras, enhancing transparency and accountability. Applications typically require a detailed proposal outlining the implementation plan, training, data management, and privacy considerations. The grant aims to improve community-police relations and officer safety. We assisted the Town with development of their policy, determining eligible costs, and thinking through how the program would work in order to draft a competitive application which we submitted on their behalf. The Town was awarded almost $16,000 to purchase cameras to outfit eight police officers.
Police Bridge Academy Grants
These grants support police departments in training officers through bridge academies, which provide necessary skills and knowledge to meet state certification standards. Applications must include detailed training plans, curriculum, and budget proposals. These grants ensure officers are well-prepared to serve their communities effectively CSS assisted Oakham two years in a row with applications which enabled the Town to receive $30,000 to offset the costs of required training for ten police officers.
Community Compact IT Grant
This grant helps municipalities improve their IT infrastructure and services. Eligible projects include network upgrades, cybersecurity enhancements, and digital service improvements. The application process involves submitting a comprehensive project plan, detailing objectives, expected benefits, and sustainability measures. This grant aims to enhance municipal IT capabilities and service delivery. The Town sought this grant to update their website to modernize it to today’s standards and increase the services available to residents remotely. We worked with the Town to understand what they wanted to achieve with a new website and developed their grant application. The Town was awarded almost $26,000 for this project.
Capital Strategic Solutions’ Role
CSS offers extensive grant support services, including identifying funding opportunities, preparing and submitting applications, and managing grant compliance. Their expertise in crafting compelling proposals and navigating complex application processes has been instrumental in Oakham’s grant success. CSS’s tailored approach ensures that each application highlights the community’s unique needs and maximizes the chances of securing funding.
“Capital Strategic Solutions’ expertise and guidance were invaluable in crafting our grant applications. Your support has truly strengthened our ability to make a meaningful impact. Thank you for your dedication and collaboration!”
For more information about how Capital Strategic Solutions can assist your town with successful grant applications, visit www.capital-strategic-solutions.com or contact us at info@capital-strategic-solutions.com to schedule a meeting.