SWMD Grant Program

The MARC Solid Waste Management District provides financial support in the form of annual and small project grants.

Since 1993, district grant funds have contributed significantly to the region's recycling and reuse infrastructure. Grantees include Ripple Glass, Flourish Furniture Bank, Habitat ReStores, Sleepyhead Beds, Kanbe's Markets, KC Can Compost, Missouri Organic Recycling, City of Kansas City, Missouri, City of Lee's Summit, and the Kansas City Chiefs, to name a few.

Projects have included glass recycling containers, a construction and demolition recycling facility, food waste rescue and composting programs, mattress reuse and recycling, drop-off recycling facilities, and public education.

The program provides grant funds for implementing waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting projects. The primary goal of projects is to increase waste diversion within the district. Projects must be located within Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri.

Grant Details

Who is eligible?

Any municipality, county, public institution, nonprofit organization, private business or individual currently operating in the district is eligible to apply. The district represents Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Ray counties and all cities therein.

What type of projects are eligible?

Funds can be used for various programs including education, waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, collection and processing, research and development and market development for products made with diverted materials.

Which funding type fits your needs?

There are two types of SWMD funding available, the annual grants call and the small project assistance fund.

Small Project Assistance Fund

The Small Project Assistance Program is for smaller, six-month projects asking for up to $3,500.

More about Small Project Assistance Funds

Annual Grant Call

The Annual Grant Funding is for larger projects that exceed the scope of the Small Project Assistance Fund.

More about Annual Grant Fund

Selection and funding

What is the selection process?

Applications are evaluated using criteria set forth in Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) regulations and are reviewed by a committee of five to eight volunteers, representing a variety of professional backgrounds. Recommendations for funding are presented to the district’s executive board and are submitted to the state for final approval.

What is the funding source?

The district receives funding for its grant program through the Missouri Solid Waste Management Fund. A $2.11 fee is collected on each ton of solid waste disposed in Missouri landfills or transferred to out-of-state facilities. These funds support solid waste management and diversion programs coordinated by the state’s 20 solid waste districts, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and EIERA Missouri Market Development Program.

Grantees and Projects

2026 Grant Recipients

Entity	Project	Description	Amount
Bold Reuse	Expanding reusable dishware capacities	Project funds are requested to offer event organizers the option to choose reusable dishware instead of disposable.	$98,172
Bridging the Gap	Mattress Recycling	Project funds are requested to re-establish mattress recycling in the region.	$219,788
Flourish Furniture Bank	Expanding furniture reuse operations	Project funds are requested to expand warehouse space to display more furniture and enhance the shopping experience for clients	$89,204
Ingenuity	Drywall recycling viability	Project funds are requested to test the viability of using recucled drywall as a component in concrete	$58,197
Kanbe's Markets	Produce rescue operations	Project funds are requested to expand warehouse space to rescue produce.	$163,617
Product Stewardship Institute	Missouri Product Stewardship Council	Project funds are requested to support the Missouri Product Stewardship Council, which is actively working to bring stewardship programs for paint, batteries and mattresses to Missouri.	$52,095
The Prospect KC	Food Rescue and composting	Project funds are requested to support food rescue efforts and a pilot composting program.	$49,000
Re.Use.Full	Reuse opportunities	Project funds are requested to support repair cafés at local libraries, clothing swaps and un-dumpster days.	$65,465
Total Approved Open Call Grant Projects			$795,538

2025 Grant Recipients

Entity	Project	Description	Amount
Kanbe's Markets	Delivering Food Rescue	Project funds are requested to pay the salary for a position to support the expansion of Kanbe's Markets food diversion goals.	$45,077
KC Can Compost	Capacity Building: Transforming Food Waste Awareness into Action	Project funds are requested to pay for a truck and satellite unit to meet capacity needs and to implement a broad educational program to familiarize the public with food waste composting and to encourage action.	$206,872
The Folly Theatre	Folly Theater Recycling Program	Project funds are requested to support costs with implementing a recycling program at the theater.	$46,024
City of Kansas City	Kansas City Composting Education Program	Project funds are requested to support a public food waste composting pilot program with signage.	$10,490
Kansas City Chiefs	Kansas City Chiefs Reusable Cups	Project funds are requested to pay for collection bins and cups to support a reusable cup program at the Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium.	$133,960
Pete's Garden	Pete's Garden 2025 Capacity Building	Project funds are requested to purchase a new walk-in refridgerator to support the work of Food Rescue efforts in the region.	$20,000
The Sewing Labs	Redirection Logistics Associate and Admin Assistant	Project funds are requested to pay the salary for a parttime staff person to intentionally seek donations of material and sewing machines.	$40,000
Total Approved Open Call Grant Projects			$502,423

Resources for Grantees

Required forms

Grantees are required to submit quarterly reports and invoices electronically or hard copy. To submit via e-mail, reports must be signed, scanned, and provided in PDF format.

Small Projects Final Report Form (.doc)

SWMD Grant Final Report Form (.doc)

SWMD Grant Quarterly Report Form (.doc)

SWMD Grant Program Bidding Worksheet (.doc)

SWMD Grant Program Mileage Form (.doc)

SWMD Grants Program Invoice Form (.doc)

SWMD Grants Program Time Log Sheet (.doc)

SWMD Grants Program Account Sheet (.doc)

SWMD Grant Program Budget Revision Form

SWMD Grant Program How to Invoice Instructions

SWMD Grant Program Time Extension Request Form

Logos

All district-funded projects must recognize the MARC Solid Waste Management District (SWMD). Below are image files of the logos for both screen/web and print, and vector files for print.

Please remember all scripts, publications such as brochures, flyers, signage, and other printed materials intended for distribution that are financed ― wholly or in part by district funds ― must be reviewed by district staff prior to publication.

Logos for Print

For digital