How to request funds
Read the frequently asked questions page and complete the Regional Refresh Fund application. If the application is approved, Metro will issue a check directly to the agency or organization upon receipt of an invoice. All payments are processed 30 days from the date the invoice is received.
Apply now
Need paint for your project?
Could your cleanup project benefit from quality recycled paint? Does your project meet the qualifications of the Regional Refresh Fund? If so, MetroPaint is currently donating paint to organizations that are removing graffiti or have places that need a fresh coat of paint.
Email [email protected] for more information
Metro’s Regional Refresh Fund supports community-led cleanup efforts by providing flexible, low-barrier funding for immediate cleanup needs in underserved communities. Nonprofits, public agencies, schools and business district associations are invited to apply. Applicants can request up to $5,000 in funding per cleanup project or event.
Before applying, review the following criteria:
- Applicant must be a nonprofit, public agency, school or business district association
- Applicant must be leading an effort that serves an equity focus area, environmentally sensitive area or other underserved group
- The project must take place outdoors on publicly accessible property within the Metro boundary
- The project must be scheduled for a future date
- The proposal must present a clear plan for the requested funds with informed estimates for all expenses
For more information regarding these criteria, please read the frequently asked questions.
Where are equity focused areas?
Equity focus areas represent communities with a higher-than-average-density of people of color, people with limited English proficiency, or people with incomes equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Use this address lookup tool to determine if your property is located in an equity focus area within the Metro boundary
Who are underserved communities?
Your event may take place outside an equity focus area but still support underserved communities. For this fund, underserved communities are defined as people who have been most affected by historic injustices and inequities such as people of color, immigrants and refugees, people with low incomes, residents of multifamily housing communities and people with limited proficiency in English.
How can funds be spent?
Funds are intended to be flexible to meet the needs of those providing services. Most costs associated with a trash-related cleanup or collection event, waste reduction project or preventative effort may qualify. Contact Metro to see if your project expenses qualify for funding. Some examples of what funds may be spent on include, but are not limited to:
- Acquiring trash cleanup supplies for volunteers
- Promotional or garbage and recycling related educational materials for a project or event
- Disposal costs at a transfer station
- Transportation costs to dispose of bulky waste
- Labor or volunteer stipends not already budgeted (e.g., salaries)
- Administrative expenses (not to exceed 30% of total budget)
- Renting a dumpster for an event
- Limited graffiti cleanup and removal efforts (not to exceed 25% of total budget)
Ineligible project types
- Gardening projects
- Landscaping projects
- Yard waste removal
- Interior rehabilitation efforts or interior paint projects
Funds cannot be used to support political committees or campaigns, lobbying or activities that promote a religious viewpoint. Funds are intended to help with expenses before a community cleanup project or event.
Questions?
Review these frequently-asked questions for answers to many common questions, or contact Cayla Pruett for more information.