Public Participation Grants

The Public Participation Grants program is administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology through its Solid Waste Management Program. The program is authorized under the Model Toxics Control Act and is funded through a portion of the hazardous substance tax revenue. Its core purpose is to support individuals and nonprofit organizations in engaging the public in environmental decision-making processes, particularly those related to hazardous substance releases and waste management practices. The program is designed to improve transparency, increase public awareness, and ensure that affected communities have meaningful input in environmental cleanup and waste reduction initiatives. The grant supports projects that facilitate public participation in the investigation and remediation of hazardous substance releases or threatened releases, as well as projects aligned with the state’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan. These activities may include outreach, education, community engagement, and translation of technical information into accessible formats. The program emphasizes the importance of incorporating lived experience and community perspectives into environmental decision-making processes, particularly for individuals directly impacted by contamination or waste-related issues. Funding for the program is structured as a competitive grant process with awards of up to $60,000 per year, with a maximum project duration of two years. This results in a potential total award of up to $120,000 per project over the full grant period. The total anticipated funding for the 2025–2027 biennium is approximately $4.87 million, although final allocations depend on legislative approval. Funds are reimbursed based on eligible costs incurred by recipients, and projects must adhere to strict administrative and reporting requirements outlined by the Department of Ecology. Eligible applicants include individuals affected by hazardous substance releases and nonprofit organizations that meet specific criteria, such as being registered in Washington State and holding appropriate nonprofit status. For-profit entities, government agencies, and organizations based outside Washington are not eligible. The program also allows for fiscal sponsorship arrangements, where a nonprofit entity administers the grant on behalf of an implementing organization or individual. Applications for the 2025–2027 funding cycle were submitted through the Ecology Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) system. The application period opened on January 7, 2025 and closed on February 4, 2025. Applications were evaluated based on criteria such as community impact, project feasibility, and alignment with program priorities. Awards were expected to be announced in March 2025, with grant agreements becoming effective on July 1, 2025. The program follows a structured timeline for reporting, reimbursement, and performance monitoring throughout the grant period. The Department of Ecology evaluates applications using a competitive scoring process that considers factors such as community engagement, environmental impact, and applicant capacity. Successful applicants must comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including quarterly progress and financial reports. The program also includes a renewal process for second-year funding, which is contingent on satisfactory performance during the first year. Contact for the program includes designated grant managers, such as Laura Busby, who provide technical assistance and oversee grant administration.

Focus on clearly demonstrating community impact and alignment with waste management priorities; ensure all documentation is complete and submitted on time; maintain strong communication with Ecology grant managers