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grants

At Metro Waste Authority, environmental stewardship is a shared commitment. We’re proud to offer a grant program that helps bring impactful environmental projects to life.

We offer two grants, the Environmental Mini Grant and the Environmental Enhancement Grant.

Both grants provide an opportunity for applicants to request funding for environmental projects that support the categories of our Environmental Management System (EMS). EMS is used to establish procedures and processes that help reduce environmental impact and increase operating efficiency.

Metro Waste Authority’s EMS categories include:

  • Greenhouse Gas Management: Reducing any type of emissions from fossil fuel consumption or the decomposition of organic materials.
  • Water Quality Improvement: Reduction of water quality pollution by mitigating litter, illegal dumping, erosion, or other water contaminants.
  • Environmental Education: Providing outreach in any form about best practices for managing waste and recycling.
  • Organics Management: Reducing the amount of organic material (food waste, vegetative debris, etc.) going in to landfills.
  • Household Hazardous Materials: Reducing improper handling of harmful chemicals while raising awareness and increasing safe disposal.
  • Recycling: Increase awareness about recycling and best disposal practices.

Environmental Enhancement Grant

The Environmental Enhancement Grant for up to $10,000 is a reimbursement grant that supports larger scale environmental projects that align with one of the six identified EMS components, including greenhouse gas management, water quality improvement, environmental education, organics management, household hazardous materials, and recycling.

Guidelines:

  • Projects must be based in Metro Waste Authority’s planning area.
  • Projects must have multiple funding sources identified, including some level of financial investment by the applicant’s group or organization.
  • Projects that do not align with the agency’s environmental focus areas will not be considered.
  • Projects are not eligible for grant funding multiple times.

Applications will be open from the time of announcement until June 15.

Environmental Mini Grant

The Environmental Mini Grant for up to $2,000 is a reimbursement grant that supports smaller scale environmental projects that align with any of the six identified EMS components, including greenhouse gas management, water quality improvement, environmental education, organics management, household hazardous materials, and recycling.

Guidelines:

  • Projects must be based in Metro Waste Authority’s planning area.
  • Preference will be given to projects that have multiple funding sources, including some level of financial investment by the applicant’s group or organization.
  • Projects that do not align with any of the agency’s six environmental focus areas will not be considered.
  • Projects are not eligible for grant funding multiple times.

There are two award cycles each year:

  • Award Cycle 1: July-December
  • Award Cycle 2: January-May

Applications will be accepted year-round and will be considered until all funds have been disbursed.

APPLY

Wondering how these grant dollars have been used to support past environmental projects? Here are just a few examples of projects that received funding through Metro Waste Authority’s grant programs!

  • Reusable water bottles for elementary students participating in Earth Day events
  • Refillable water bottle stations
  • Electric car charging stations
  • Purchase of tablets to allow for paperless form completion
  • Installation of energy-efficient lighting fixtures
  • Sustainability-focused, educational public art
  • Picnic tables equipped with solar powered outlets
  • Stormwater management improvements

Please note: Metro Waste Authority does not participate in fundraising opportunities, including sponsorship of events. Grant funding is not available for compost, cleanup projects, or disposal-related costs, such as waived fees at the landfill or dumpster roll-off rental.

Metro Waste Authority's planning area includes Alleman, Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Dawson, Des Moines, Elkhart, Grimes, Hartford, Jefferson, Johnston, Linden, Minburn, Mingo, Mitchellville, Norwalk, Perry, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Polk County, Prairie City, Redfield, Runnells, Sheldahl, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights.