Community Grant Program

The Waste Reduction District of Monroe County (WRDMC) offers the Community Grant Program to support projects that align with its mission of promoting long-term sustainability and environmental health. This initiative seeks to reduce waste sent to final disposal by empowering local organizations to implement community-level solutions that contribute to environmental protection, public health, and sustainability in Monroe County, Indiana. The District views waste reduction as a key strategy in mitigating climate change and improving the quality of life for county residents. The grant is available to a range of entities including nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, civic organizations, clubs, and businesses, provided they operate within Monroe County. All proposed projects must take place in Monroe County, and any prior recipients of the grant must have fulfilled all previous grant requirements to be considered again. Applications for repeat projects may only be considered after new applications have been evaluated, and only if funding remains available. Projects eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, initiatives that promote recycling, composting, food waste diversion, public outreach about waste management, environmental education, and the purchase of recycled-content products or proper disposal infrastructure such as cigarette butt receptacles or pet waste stations. However, certain expenditures are not allowed under the grant, including waste hauling, advertising, installation services, and administrative expenses. If infrastructure is purchased, District decals must be affixed to the equipment to signify WRDMC’s support. Applications are evaluated on various criteria, including innovation, effectiveness, sustainability, transferability, community impact, and the degree of waste reduction the project offers. The value of applicant contributions (whether in cash or in-kind) also factors into the decision-making process. The District's Citizens Advisory Committee, along with staff and potentially legal counsel, reviews applications and forwards recommendations to the Board of Directors, who have the final authority on award decisions. The total funding pool for 2026 is $20,000, and individual grant amounts may be capped depending on the number of applications. All projects must be completed within the calendar year, with final expense reports submitted to the District by December 1, 2026. Funds are reimbursed to the awarded organization upon submission of required documentation. A W-9 form must be submitted with the application. Each applicant must identify a Project Liaison to serve as the main point of contact during the grant period. Applications for the 2026 cycle must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026. Submissions can be made electronically via email or delivered by mail or in person to the WRDMC office in Bloomington, Indiana. Following the grant period, awardees are required to submit a final report summarizing project implementation and outcomes. In some cases, grantees may be asked to present their results to the Board of Directors during a public meeting.