Recycling: What to know about a new recycling mini-grant program in Centre County
I have some exciting news! All of us at the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority would like to let you know about a new program we are rolling out: a recycling mini-grant program!
Our new mini-grant program is available to Centre County municipalities, businesses, recycling collection haulers, schools (K-12 and post-secondary), health care institutions and nonprofits.
The mini-grant program is intended to provide reimbursement grant funds for Centre County based projects that improve recycling education and collection of materials to be processed by us, CCRRA. These grant funds are made available due to market performance of recycling commodities for the prior calendar year. After careful calculations, we have $91,000 available in funds for this first grant round.
Mini-grants are designed to assist in funding small to mid-range dollar amount projects. A few noteworthy details:
Mini-grants may range from $1,000-$15,000.
All mini-grants require a minimum cash match of 50% of the award.
Mini-grants are reimbursement grants. Funds distributed upon receipt of documented expenses and proof of payment
This will be a competitive grant selection evaluated by a committee comprised of both CCRRA employees and community members.
As I began to promote this program I was asked what kind of projects may be suitable for such a grant program. I do not want to stop anyone from being creative but I was just brainstorming ideas such as: new recycling containers, an interactive recycling display, informative posters and flyers, etc. If you are stuck on something, give us a call and we can meet and talk over some ideas.
This is the first year of our mini-grant program and we are excited to see what response we may get. I absolutely love this idea and do hope that it is something that can help our local community to improve recycling.
Now information on how to apply. Visit our website at www.centrecountyrecycles.org and look for the box on the homepage labeled Recycling Mini-Grant. There you will find the online application as well as instructions, a fillable worksheet, a budget sheet and anything else you may need to get your application started. The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 4.
Successful candidates will be announced on Oct. 28.
For questions regarding the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority’s mini-grant program, contact our Recycling Coordinator, Mimi Joy Cooper, either by email at mcooper@centrecountyrecycles.org or by phone at 814-238-7005.
We do hope that these funds will help our community and look forward to working with our successful candidates on their projects!