Columbus Business Rebates 

For City of Columbus Businesses & Organizations

Thank you for your interest in the Community Backyards business rebate program! Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, Sustainable Columbus, and City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities are working together to promote more conservation practices on lands owned by businesses. Businesses make a significant amount of land use and management decisions in Central Ohio. We want to demonstrate that urban conservation projects can be done by businesses cost effectively and make a positive environmental impact. 

City of Columbus businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate and apply for up to a $2,500 reimbursement grant through Community Backyards! The grant is available to legitimate businesses or nonprofit organizations. Must be a registered entity with the Secretary of State. Project location must be located within the City of Columbus per the Franklin County Auditor. Special consideration will be given to projects benefitting under served populations, and projects located within Columbus Opportunity Zones, CelebrateOne neighborhoods, and areas with less than 20% tree canopy cover per Columbus Recreation and Parks. Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.


Who is Eligible: 

• Must be a City of Columbus business or nonprofit organization. 
• Project location must be within the City of Columbus per the Franklin County Auditor.
• Must be a legitimate business or organization that is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. 

Eligible Projects:

• Rainwater Collection Systems (cisterns, rain barrels, and more)
• Native Plantings (tree planting, pollinator garden, etc.)
• Rain Gardens 
• Green Infrastructure 

Interested? Here's how the Business Rebate process works:

1. Applicants must designate a project representative. The representative must submit a brief application to Franklin Soil and Water detailing what their general project idea is and how it would benefit Franklin County. 
2. After the application is received, Franklin Soil and Water will reach out to set up a time to meet and tour the project location. This is REQUIRED. We want to make sure the location will be a good fit for the project you have in mind! For example, not all locations would be suitable for a rain garden. Some locations might benefit MORE from a rain garden than a native plant garden. Franklin Soil and Water staff will walk the location with you, provide recommendations for what project would be best and how to implement it. 
3. Funds are issued on a reimbursement basis only. The project must be installed and completed before reimbursement can be issued. Receipts, photos and a brief summary of the project are required before reimbursement can be issued. Examples of what can be reimbursed - supplies, native plants/shrubs/trees, mulch, rainwater collection systems, rain barrels, soil amendments. 
4. Once approved, Franklin Soil and Water will issue a reimbursement check. 

Funds are limited and subject to availability. Sorry, only Columbus participates at this time. No other municipalities participate at this time. This is a special pilot project for 2023.

All businesses who participate will be signed up as a City of Columbus GreenSpot member. By implementing a conservation project, you're already working to go green! Plus, the business rebate pilot program would not be possible without the help and funding from City of Columbus. Visit GreenSpot to learn more about sustainability and how you can be more green. P.S., they recognize and give out awards to businesses who do exceptional work in sustainability!