Sustainability Small Grants

1. Review Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be received then reviewed and awarded by the Sustainable Tacoma Commission (STC). Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Does the project:

• Demonstrate a clear benefit to one or more of the three Environmental Services utilities?
• Align with sustainability goals as outlined in the City’s 2030 Climate Action Plan?
• Provide opportunities for local partnerships and community participation?
• Create multiple and/or long-term benefits to the Tacoma community?
• Promote local and regional climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts?
• Allow for measurable results and long-term, lasting success?
• Identify a clear need for financial assistance?

Additional evaluation criteria may be considered at the discretion of the Sustainable Tacoma Commission.

2. Prepare and Submit Your Application

Submittal Instructions:

Completed applications must be submitted by or before 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date. Submit via email to sustainability@tacoma.gov with the subject line “Sustainability Small Grant Application”. For other submission options or questions about the submittal process, please call (253) 213-2443.

Full application instructions and guidelines are included in the application form.  

Application Form

Yes, anyone may apply regardless of organizational affiliation. However, individuals must be aware that the money received through this grant must be claimed on your yearly taxes. Since grant funding is only reimbursable upon completion of the project, individuals are also responsible for any up-front costs associated with the project prior to reimbursement.

​Applicants are not required to carry insurance at the time of application. However, the City of Tacoma’s Risk Manager will review all projects selected for funding and will determine if insurance will be required and what type(s) of insurance each organization needs. Typically, all organizations will be required to obtain Commercial General Liability insurance.

Organizations who will be working directly and exclusively with youth under the age of 17, seniors, or people with disabilities as part of the proposed project will be required to obtain Abuse & Molestation insurance. This includes programming exclusively for youth, seniors, or people with disabilities such as workshops, live virtual programming, and one-on-one programming. This does NOT include all-ages or general audience programming, or virtual programming that is completely pre-recorded where there will be no live virtual interaction.

Organizations who will be performing work on or around water that includes the ownership, maintenance, and/or use of watercraft as part of the proposed project will be required to obtain Marine General Liability insurance.

Organizations who will use owned, rented, or leased automobiles to transport youth under the age of 17, seniors and/or people with disabilities as part of the proposed project will be required to obtain Commercial Auto Liability insurance.

If the applicant is fiscally sponsored, the insurance may be held by either the sponsored group or the fiscal sponsor. If the fiscal sponsor holds the Certificate of Insurance, it will need to name both the City of Tacoma and the sponsored group as additional insured. If the sponsored group holds the Certificate of Insurance, it will need to name the City of Tacoma as additional insured.

Applicants may begin their project whenever they would like. However, any expenses made prior to the grant award date will not be eligible for reimbursement. The award date will be clearly indicated on your award letter, and will also determine the timeline for contracting and project completion.

​Individuals or organizations may only be awarded one Sustainability Small Grant in a 12 month period. However, if an application is not accepted or approved and no funding is awarded, that individual or organization may re-apply again as soon as they like. If a grant is awarded, but the project is later delayed or cancelled and no funding was distributed, that individual or organization may also re-apply as soon as they like.

Grant money can be applied toward costs identified in the approved project budget, submitted with your grant application. These costs may include materials, transportation, equipment rental, and other approved expenses. The grant may not be used to fund computers, digital cameras, video cameras, or other portable electronics. The grant may not be used to fund alcohol or drug purchases. Please reference the Sustainability Small Grant application for a detailed list of prohibited expenses and activities.

​Effective in 2021, all grant recipients will need to create an account and become a “vendor” in SAP Ariba – online software the City of Tacoma now uses for all contracting and funding transactions. This process will take place during the initial contracting phase of your grant award. If you or your fiscal sponsor have conducted business with the City of Tacoma in the past, you may already be signed up as a vendor in Ariba. All invoices must be directly uploaded to Ariba by the grant recipient or fiscal sponsor. No invoices sent via email will be accepted. City staff will be available to answer questions and assist with the process of getting set-up in Ariba after grants have been awarded.

​Once you have submitted an invoice through Ariba, funds will be distributed 30 days from the invoice date. Funds will be distributed directly to the individual or organization listed on the Sustainability Small Grant contract.

​Yes. Staff will be available to assist and explore accommodations that allow all community members to apply and navigate the award process. If you have difficulty with the application process or require accommodation, please contact us at sustainability@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5172 prior to submitting your application.

​Sustainability Small Grant contracts are only valid for one year following your award date. If you do not complete your project before your contract expires, invoices received after that date will not be eligible for reimbursement. Contract extensions may be available on a case-by-case basis, but justification for why an extension is needed must be communicated to City of Tacoma staff members prior to your contract expiration date.

​Projects that benefit one or more of the three utilities may help protect and restore our natural resources, or help keep our city clean, safe, and livable. Stormwater benefits are those that help to keep pollution from flowing from the built environment untreated into lakes, streams, rivers, and Puget Sound. Solid Waste benefits include reducing waste generation and promoting landfill diversion through recycling, composting, or waste prevention. Wastewater is what goes down our drains and needs to be treated before re-entering the natural environment. Wastewater benefits would help ensure that our sewer systems are properly cared for, and that only correct items find their way down the drain.

​Projects that address climate change either help our community adapt to the impacts or mitigate the causes of climate change. Most projects that address environmental sustainability issues in our community do have a connection to either climate adaptation or mitigation. Project examples that promote climate change adaptation might include installing rain gardens to reduce the risk of flooding, and planting trees to reduce the urban heat island effect. Projects that promote climate change mitigation might include promotion of public transit as a form of sustainable transportation instead of driving or educating businesses about options to switch from natural gas to electric heating.

Frontline communities tend to experience inequity in multiple ways. They tend to be underrepresented, underserved, or made vulnerable; experience lower quality of life outcomes before COVID-19; or now experience worse impacts from the COVID-19 economic and health crisis. Frontline communities also include those expected to experience the first and worst consequences of climate damage.

Contact the team at sustainability@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5172.