Organics Management Grant

The Organics Management Grant, administered by the Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables, supports community-led initiatives aimed at reducing the amount of organic waste—such as food scraps and yard waste—entering the Dane County landfill. This initiative aligns with the Environmental Protection Agency's Wasted Food Scale, prioritizing source reduction, reuse, and composting strategies to promote sustainable and environmentally sound waste management. The program serves to not only mitigate environmental impact but to support long-term waste diversion and resource recovery strategies throughout Dane County. The grant is open to a wide range of eligible applicants within Dane County, including businesses, institutions, municipalities, Native American tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. Projects must center on diverting organic waste through various approved mechanisms such as composting, edible food recovery, use as animal feed, or educational campaigns. Eligible expenses may include vendor services for food scrap collection, construction or procurement of on-site collection systems, and payroll or materials for program development and outreach. Payroll expenses are reimbursable up to a maximum rate of $30 per hour. A total of $10,000 is available in the 2026 grant cycle, with individual awards up to $2,500. While applicants are allowed to submit multiple proposals, only one proposal per organization will be selected for funding. Additional funding above the $2,500 cap may be considered on a case-by-case basis, dependent on specific project requests. The grant program encourages projects that are viable, sustainable beyond the funding period, and offer broad community impact. Preference is given to projects that reach underserved communities and present measurable waste diversion outcomes. Applications are evaluated based on a detailed rubric that includes community need and impact (20 points), project viability (20 points), sustainability and independence from future county funds (20 points), budget alignment (20 points), waste diversion potential (15 points), and completeness of the application (5 points). The selection process is managed by the Department of Waste & Renewables, which retains authority to approve or reject any application. Successful applicants will enter into a Grant Agreement outlining project deliverables, timeline, and reporting requirements. Final reports, documenting diversion metrics and project outcomes, must be submitted by December 15, 2026, to remain eligible for future funding. For the 2026 cycle, the application window runs from January 1 to February 1, with grading from February 2 to February 12, award notifications by February 18, and the grant execution period spanning from March 1 through December 15. Final applications must be submitted via email to [email protected]. The application form and instructions are provided via fillable PDF or Word document. Incomplete applications or missing final reports from prior award cycles may disqualify applicants from funding consideration. While partial upfront payments are possible for qualifying organizations, standard reimbursement will occur upon submission of receipts and proof of payment post-project completion. Applicants may direct questions to the program email address. Questions may be shared anonymously on the department’s website to ensure equitable access to information for all applicants. Additionally, technical assistance, training, and expertise are available to awardees upon request during project implementation. The grant is expected to recur annually, with future cycles following a similar schedule.

Align with EPA’s waste hierarchy; demonstrate sustainability and community reach; submit complete materials by deadline.