Latest Info for Locals

Central’s Growth & Development Grants are intended to: support ideas that grow and develop locals, increase member engagement, and help locals continuously become stronger and more effective.

Locals may apply more than once at any time during the year. Please note it may take up to 60 days to review, process and be approved. Any monies spent prior to application approval will not be reimbursed.

Maximum grant amount is based on membership of the local:
  • 1- 100 members - up to $2,000
  • 101- 400 members - up to $3,000
  • 401- 800 members - up to $4,000
  • 801+ members - up to $5,000

Locals must have had a member attend the Central Representative Assembly, All-Area meeting or Area meeting, within the last 12 months, to be eligible for a Central OEA/NEA Growth and Development Grant.

Each application must designate a Grant Coordinator who will receive a $100 stipend for being in charge of the local's grant process.

All grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis. If a local has a special need to receive grant funds prior to completion of an activity, advancement of grant funds will be considered upon request. No gift cards (per NEA recommendation) or alcohol will be reimbursed.

All expenditures must be submitted on the Growth & Development Voucher form. The voucher will require:
  • the date/s the activities were completed
  • an itemization of the individual expenditures for goods or services for the specific goal
  • the itemized cost/s of the purchased items or services
  • an attached sheet bearing the original itemized receipts verifying the delineated expenditures

The Project Manager is available to meet with local grant coordinators at their request to assist with applications.
Per Central vendor policy, unionized firms or suppliers, if available, shall provide goods or services.

You may apply online using this form

Central OEA/NEA offers a number of grant and incentive programs for its locals. A brief description of each can be found below. A more detailed description, including how to apply, can be found using the appropriate menu on the right.

Local Participation Award Program
Central's Local Participation Award Program is intended to build stronger, better-informed Local Associations by rewarding active participation in Central’s programming, as well as meeting other defined criteria. Local Associations that meet all required criteria can earn a total award of $1300 annually.

Growth & Development Grants
Central’s Growth & Development Grants are intended to: support ideas that grow and develop Local Associations, increase member engagement, and help locals continuously become stronger and more effective.

Local Emergency Grants
The Local Emergency Grant Program was created to assist Local Associations with projects of an immediate or urgent nature. Community initiatives such as school district levy or bond campaigns are examples of activities that align with the intended target of these grants.

Lobby Day Substitute Grant
In order to allow members to participate in OEA Lobby Days when they may not otherwise be able to, Central can award up to $100 per Local Association to cover the expense of a substitute. To qualify, a local must have conducted an OEA Fund drive.

ESP PD Substitute Grant
In order to allow ESP members to participate in professional development organized by Central OEA, Central can award funds to help cover the expense of a substitute for an individual or a team from the same local. Central will award up to $100 per individual member or up to $400 per local. To qualify, the local must have conducted an OEA Fund drive.

Public Relations Grant
Local Associations are eligible for a Central OEA/NEA’s Public Relations Grant of up to $500 once every three years. Central will fund up to 20 Local Associations per year. The grant is considered seed money. It is hoped that the Local Association will build the activity into their budget over that period and be prepared to continue the program after Central OEA/NEA’s initial investment.

Central OEA/NEA’S Public Relations Grant is designed to provide support to Local Associations in engaging their members with the community. Grant funds can be used for a variety of items including, but not limited to:
  • Apparel
  • Awards
  • Banners
  • Buttons
  • Fair Booth
  • Involvement in a community charitable event
  • Yard signs welcoming kindergarteners or honoring graduating seniors

Central OEA/NEA encompasses 8 OEA units. Each unit is represented by an elected OEA Board of Directors member, who serve on the Central Executive committee.


Central OEA/NEA is organized into 5 geographic areas, numbered 1 through 5. Each area has an elected Area Representative (except area 5, which has 3), who serves on the Central OEA/NEA Executive Board.

Area # 1 Licking and Fairfield counties
Area # 2 Marion, Union, and Delaware counties
Area # 3 Clark, Logan, and Champaign counties
Area # 4 Fayette, Pickaway, Ross, and Madison counties, and Greenfield Exempted Village in Highland County
Area # 5 Franklin County including SCOPE and excluding Columbus City School District

Local Area
Adena E.A.4
Amanda-Clearcreek E.A.1
Amanda-Clearcreek S.S.A.1
Bellefontaine E.A.3
Benjamin Logan E.A.3
Berne Union E.A.1
Bexley E.A. 5
Big Walnut E.A.2
Big Walnut Prof S.S.2
Bloom Carroll E.A.1
Buckeye Valley T.A.2
C-TEC T.E.A.1
Canal Winchester E.A.5
Chillicothe E.A.4
Circleville E.A.4
Clark Co. Assn of SE3
Clark Co. Vocational EA3
Clark-Shawnee Local EA3
Columbus State E.A.5
Delaware City E.A.2
Delaware JVS E.A.2
Dublin E.A.5
Dublin S.S.A.5
Eastland E.A.5
Elgin E.A.2
Fairbanks E.A.2
Fairfield Union E.A.1
Forest Rose E.A.1
Franklin Co BD of DD EA5
Gahanna-Jefferson E.A.5
Graham E.A.3
Grandview Hts Educ. SSA5
Grandview Hts. E.A.5
Granville E.A.1
Greenfield Ex Vlg E.A.4
Groveport-Madison E.A.5
Hamilton Local E.A.5
Heath E.A.1
Heath ED’L .S.S.A.1
Hilliard E.A.5
Huntington Local E.A. 4
Indian Lake A.C.E.3
Indian Lake E.A.3
Johnstown E.A.1
Jonathan Alder E.A.4
Lakewood A. Clasfd.1
Lakewood T.A- Licking  1
Lancaster E.A.1
Lancaster S.S.A 1
Liberty Union Thurston E.A.1
Licking Heights E.A.1
Licking Heights Local ESP1
Licking Valley E.A.1
Logan Elm C.T.A.4
London City E.A.4
Madison Plains E.A.4
Marion E.A.2
Marysville E.A.2
Mechanicsburg E.A.3
Miami Trace E.A.4
Miami Trace S.S.4
Newark T.A.1
North Fork E.A.1
North Union E.A.2
Northeastern Local A. of S.E.3
Northeastern Local E.A.3
Northridge E.A.- Licking 1
Northwestern A.S.E.3
Northwestern T.A.- Clark 3
Olentangy T.A.2
Paint Valley Local T.A. 4
Pickaway Ross T.A.4
Pickerington E.A.1
Pickerington S.S.A.1
Plain Local E.A.- Franklin 5
Pleasant A. of T. 2
Reynoldsburg E.A.5
Reynoldsburg S.S.A.5
Ridgedale T.A.2
River Valley Employees Assn.2
River Valley T.A.2
S.C.O.P.E.5
South-Western E.A.5
Southeastern Local E.A. (Clark)3
Southeastern Local E.S.P. (Clark)3
Southeastern Local T.A. (Ross)4
Southwest Licking E.A.1
Springfield City ESP- SEUSS3
Springfield E.A. (Clark)3
Teays Valley E.A.4
Tecumseh E.A.3
Tecumseh ASE3
Tolles E.A.4
Tri-Rivers E.A.2
Union Scioto E.A.4
Unioto Support Assn.4
United Riverside E.A.3
Upper Arlington E.A.5
Urbana A.C.T.3
Walnut Twp E.A.1
Washington E.A.- Fayette 4
West Jefferson E.A.4
West Liberty Salem E.A.3
Westerville E.A.5
Westerville Education S.S.A.5
Westfall E.A.4
Whitehall E.A.5
Worthington E.A.5
Worthington E.S.P.5
Zane Trace E.A.4
Zane Trace S.S.P. ASSN4
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