The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced that applications are now open for $2 million in funding through the Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP). The funds, allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, aim to support local government entities—including counties, municipalities, school districts, county colleges, authorities, and fire districts—in developing and implementing shared services initiatives.
LEAP grants are designed to help local governments identify ways to collaborate and share services in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs for taxpayers. Information about the program and videos explaining its components can be found on the DCA’s website at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/sharedservices.shtml.
Former mayors Nicolas Platt of Harding Township and Jordan Glatt of Summit serve as Shared Services Czars for New Jersey. They, along with experts from DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS), are available to guide interested local governments through the application process.
DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez stated, “Bringing local governments together to see how they can assist one another in providing outstanding services to residents and businesses at a reduced cost makes sense. Shared services can streamline operations and lower property taxes all while improving people’s quality of life. We urge local officials to take advantage of these grants and explore what shared services can offer their communities.”
Nicolas Platt and Jordan Glatt added, “The LEAP grants are a valuable tool that can incentivize local governments to move shared services from idea to reality. Local governments work best when they work together. These grants help promote the kind of collaboration that can result in enormous positive impacts for New Jersey residents.”
The LEAP program consists of three main grant types: Challenge Grants, Implementation Grants, and County Shared Services Coordinator Grants. Videos detailing each type are available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/Leap_grants.shtml.
Challenge Grants reimburse qualifying expenses related to developing new shared service programs under state law. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, school districts, commissions, county colleges, authorities, and fire districts; joint applications are permitted. Each county has up to $150,000 available for these grants.
Implementation Grants cover costs associated with putting shared service agreements into practice. These costs might include technology upgrades, rebranding expenses, equipment purchases, professional services fees, facility rentals, payroll system changes, or training.
County Shared Services Coordinator Grants provide up to $75,000 per county for hiring or designating an employee responsible for advancing shared service opportunities within the county. Part-time coordinators working at least 20 hours per week may receive up to $37,500.
Since its inception in December 2019, more than 160 LEAP grants totaling over $24 million have been awarded across New Jersey. Recent projects supported by LEAP funding include studies on municipal EMS in Berlin Township ($80,000), solid waste management in Wayne Township ($50,000), building inspection services in Stafford Township ($360,000), shared tax collection in Scotch Plains Township ($115,000), GIS software acquisition in Atlantic County ($300,000), dispatch equipment outfitting in Robbinsville Township ($200,000), public safety initiatives in Camden County ($250,000), inmate transportation in Morris County ($145,400), street sweeper sharing in Downe Township ($225,000), utility management services for Plumsted MUA ($300,000), municipal court operations in Somerdale Borough ($187,500), water/sewer operations for Long Beach Township ($225,000), hazmat response capabilities for Mercer County ($325,000), sheriff EMS programming in Monmouth County ($300,000), and commercial driver’s license training programs run by Somerset County ($200,000).
Applications for all three types of LEAP grants will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 15, 2026; early submission is encouraged due to high demand.
For more details about grant guidelines or required documentation visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/Leap_grants.shtml or contact DLGS.LEAPgrant@dca.nj.gov.
DLGS provides advocacy as well as technical and financial assistance on budgeting and management issues for local governments throughout New Jersey. It oversees financial integrity across municipal units by reviewing budgets and other fiscal actions.
The DCA also offers programs related to affordable housing production; fire safety; building safety; community planning; rental assistance; disaster recovery; information privacy; and historic preservation. More information about DCA is available at https://nj.gov/dca/.
