Dear Eartha, I am on the board of my homeowners association and we need help with our recycling. Are there any local resources that can offer support? 

First, thank you so much for your efforts to improve recycling in Summit County. It truly takes all of us working together to make a difference. Second, yes, there is grant money available to help homeowners’ associations, businesses, schools or nonprofits with projects focused on waste reduction. 

What can grant funds be used for? One homeowners association built a new waste enclosure (a shed-like area for trash dumpsters), making room for new recycling bins. Another project helped increase the amount of food rescued from grocery stores and restaurants to be redistributed to community members in need. And sometimes, homeowners associations only need a little extra support for things like individual recycling bins and labels. Whatever the project, there is a grant opportunity for all of them. Let’s explore where your project might fit.

Strong Future community grants

Thanks to Summit County Government, a portion of Strong Future funds are set aside yearly to help pay for waste reduction projects. As a reminder, Strong Future is a voter-approved mill levy passed in 2018. Strong Future Community Grants offer two different pathways depending on the scope of your project:

• The Strong Future Community Grants are meant for bigger projects that need a larger investment. These grants range from $25,000 to $75,000 and require a 25% match from the grantee. Projects in this category focus on preventing waste completely or increasing recycling. In 2024, grants were awarded to Summit Fire & EMS to develop a fire extinguisher recycling program and to Arapahoe Basin to increase employee recycling access, to name a few.

• New for 2025 are the Mid-Level Strong Future grants. Grants in this category will range between $1,000 to $24,999 and will focus on projects that need less financial support to get started. An example could be purchasing reusable cups, plates, and silverware for an HOA’s community event space or special school celebrations.

Applications for both grants will be open from Sunday, March 1 through Sunday, June 1 at 5 p.m. As part of the application process, you will be required to talk to a member of High Country Conservation Center’s staff before submitting your application. Priority will be given to projects that benefit the local workforce and/or underserved community members in Summit County. Full applications and additional instructions are available online at HighCountryConservation.org/grants.

Smaller recycling grants

Intended for organizations that require less assistance improving or starting their recycling journey, High Country Conservation Center offers mini-grants available for up to $2,000. How are these grants different from the Mid-Level grants? There is no deadline to apply. That said, there is a limited amount of funding available each year and awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Project ideas in this category could include adding compost or glass recycling bins, updating signage in your waste/recycling areas and purchasing individual recycling bins for every unit in your homeowners association. For information about applying for this grant, reach out to recycling@highcountryconservation.org and a member of High Country Conservation Center’s zero waste team will contact you to schedule a consult. 

Town-supported grants

Is your homeowners association or business located in Breckenridge or Frisco? If your answer is yes, you have access to additional funding. Best of all, town grants can be stacked with other financial support you receive. Each town offers its own pool of funding to reduce waste and increase recycling. The town of Breckenridge offers up to $10,000 to help bring your homeowners association or business into Universal Recycling compliance or for any other project that keeps waste out of the landfill. In the town of Frisco, project type determines which grant you choose. Homeowners associations and businesses seeking Universal Recycling compliance can apply for up to $2,000 in assistance. If a business wants to, let’s say, add reusable to-go cups (significantly reducing waste) or set up composting service, they can apply for up to $10,000 to help make that dream a reality.

As you can see, whatever your project, there is a grant for you. Not sure if your project qualifies or how much support you might need? Contact High Country Conservation Center grants expert at grants@highcountryconservation.org or 970-668-5703 to share your idea and see if it’s a fit. You can also learn more at HighCountryConservation.org/grants.

Ask Eartha Steward is written by the staff at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation. Submit questions to Eartha at info@highcountryconservation.org.