Statewide environmental assistance grants

Eligible applicants include Minnesota not-for-profit and non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, for-profit businesses, institutions (e.g., hospitals, colleges/schools, etc.), political subdivisions of the state (including counties, cities, towns, etc.), State agencies, and Tribal governments. Multi-organizational collaboration is encouraged.

Eligible projects. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

Developing and implementing a program and/or system which increases reuse of household items, consumer goods, and/or building materials, such as:

• starting a city-operated curbside collection program for bulky item reuse
• establishing a community-wide “curbside set-out day” for neighbors to swap items before collection
• implement recurring swap events for items such as tools, lumber, décor, and small furniture/appliances
• creating a community reuse room or store at a municipal building, church, or standalone facility to exchange materials for home improvement projects, furniture, appliances, lumber, tools, office equipment, lawn equipment, etc.
• repairing and/or reupholstering furniture for resale
• deconstructing buildings, building materials, and/or furniture for material reuse
• opening/expanding/improving a retail establishment, swap space, virtual database/hub, or otherwise connecting people to reused goods (e.g., tools, home/office furniture, doors/windows, hardware/light fixtures, countertops, appliances, solar panels)
• starting a local-government-run waste diversion and reuse programs to collect, store, and redistribute salvaged building materials and/or household goods
• including salvaged or used building materials and/or household items in construction or renovation projects to avoid the need for new products and materials
• coordinating and overseeing micro grants along with technical assistance to help organizations set up reuse programs

Addressing the issue of toxic chemicals in synthetic hair products and hair braiding, extensions, and/or straightening products by creating an effective information campaign directed toward affected communities about the potential harms of exposure to these chemicals. Projects may involve:

• identifying the specific toxic chemicals frequently used in hair braiding, extensions, and/or straighteners and their relative toxicity and concentrations
• identifying the brands with the highest amount of toxic materials
• detailing the health and environmental impacts of the chemicals
• using culturally relevant communication strategies
• providing information about safer, non-toxic alternatives to using chemical hair braiding, extensions, and/or straighteners, and
• working with businesses to use less toxic hair products

Ineligible projects. Examples of ineligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• projects seeking funding for general operating expenses that are not directly related to the project
• projects seeking funding for environmental compliance remediation
• projects limited to individual benefit or do not have a broad community impact
• projects that do not meet the eligibility specifications identified in this RFP for this grant round
• projects that focus on a single building, unless it’s directly tied to one of the listed preferred projects (see More information) that will offer reuse benefits to the broader community
• projects that only result in deconstruction of a single building are not eligible
• waste reduction and reuse projects focused exclusively on surveys or research without demonstrated collection, repair, and/or reuse of materials
• toxic products projects focused exclusively on surveys or research without a broader implementation phase (e.g., a community education/communication component)
• projects focusing on other management methods besides waste reduction and reuse (such as recycling, composting, waste-to-energy, anaerobic digestion, landfilling, etc.)