Investment and Innovation grants are intended to build lasting private-sector and nonprofit-sector capacity to reduce waste through prevention, reuse, repair, recycling and composting. The grants also support efforts to advance racial equity in the garbage and recycling system, including expanding services and employment opportunities for underserved communities and reducing harms from garbage and recycling operations. The Investment and Innovation program advances progress toward multiple goals of the 2030 Regional Waste Plan and Metro’s strategic plan to advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
Capital grants are awarded to private businesses, universities, and nonprofit organizations for infrastructure upgrades and equipment. Businesses and universities are required to provide a match of at least 100 percent of the grant amount.
Program grants are awarded to support personnel costs, operations, and equipment associated with programming at businesses, universities and nonprofit organizations. Program grants require business and university applicants to provide a match of at least 20 percent of the grant amount in cash, in-kind support or both.
2023
In 2023, Metro invested $1,063,253 in five capital grant projects. The three businesses who received a capital grant provided an additional $759,287 in matching funds. Metro also invested $919,668 in 14 program grant projects. The three businesses who received a program grant provided an additional $38,800 in matching funds.
2022
In 2022, Metro invested $946,721 in seven capital grant projects. The two businesses who received a capital grant provided an additional $554,500 in matching funds. Metro also invested $1,053,279 in 15 program grant projects. The four businesses who received a program grant provided an additional $43,900 in matching funds.
2020
In 2020, Metro invested $472,361 in 11 program grant projects. The businesses who received grants provided an additional $93,070 in matching funds.
2019
In 2019, Metro invested $5,597,496 in nine capital grant projects. The businesses who received a capital grant provided an additional $6,699,496 in matching funds. Metro also invested $520,423 in eight program grant projects. The businesses who received a program grant provided an additional $187,281 in matching funds.
2018
In 2018, Metro awarded $2,453,247 in 14 grants. The grant recipients provided an additional $2,383,065 in matching funds.