Waste-Free Communities Matching Grant

Woman sewing a piece of fabric on a sewing machine during a textile mending and upcycling class.

Waste-Free Communities Matching Grant Ends

Funding for the Waste-Free Communities Matching Grant has ended, and the program has now concluded. We want to thank all the applicants over the years who have shown the importance of waste prevention and the creativity and innovation needed to reach our waste reduction goals. Seattle Public Utilities’ Waste-Free Communities Matching Grant launched in 2018, and since then we have funded eight grant cycles supporting community-initiated and community-led waste prevention projects.

Waste prevention means creating less waste by buying and using less, using reusable items, and sharing or donating items so others can use them. When we prevent waste, we help the environment, protect public health, build community, and save money.

Beginning in 2025, Waste-Free Grants shifted to focus on textile waste. Textile recycling is challenging and not widely available yet, so most textile waste ends up in the landfill. Textile waste includes unused, unwanted, or discarded textile materials from the production, use, and disposal of products. Examples of products made from textiles include clothing, shoes, furniture upholstery, carpet, rugs, curtains, bedding, towels, bags, and tents.

Use the sidebar to learn about additional funding opportunities and sign up for the email list to stay informed about upcoming SPU opportunities.

The 2026 application period is closed

The 2026 grant opportunity focused on textile waste prevention projects that provide job training and employment opportunities for refugee and immigrant women.

Funding:

  • We have a total fund of $300,000 to award for 2026
  • Grant requests may range from $50,000 to $150,000 per project
  • There will be no match requirements in 2026
  • Grant awards are paid on a reimbursement basis

Learn about projects we funded in past grant cycles. 

Schedule

Applications Due: April 24, 2026
Notice of Decisions: May 2026
Agreements with the City signed: July 2026
Work Completed & Invoiced: July 2027

Who should apply

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Businesses
  • Schools, colleges, and universities
  • Institutions (such as health care or housing)

What we fund

1. Activities must increase textile waste prevention and reuse. We do not fund projects focused on textile recycling.

2. Activities must take place within Seattle city limits or have a direct impact on textile waste in Seattle.

3. Activities must provide job training or employment opportunities to refugee and immigrant women.

Public Utilities

Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov

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Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is comprised of three major direct-service providing utilities: the Water Utility, the Drainage and Wastewater Utility, and the Solid Waste Utility.