Community Innovation Fund

The 2023 application cycle is now open!

Do you have an idea for reducing waste in your neighborhood, workplace, school, your favorite park or restaurant, or other community space, but aren’t sure how to get started? Apply for the Rethink Waste Community Innovation Fund!

The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project will provide a total of $40,000* awards to individuals, businesses, or community organizations to implement waste reduction or recovery projects throughout Deschutes County. Each project will be awarded up to $5,000. There is no minimum project budget/award amount. 20% of the project funds must come from matching funds (cash or in-kind). Depending on project budget requirements, 8 to 12 projects will be funded in 2023.

*$15,000 of the $40,000 total projects budget will be awarded to projects that take place at or largely impact visitor destinations, such as a visitor lodging property, restaurant / eatery, park / trail/ nature area, outfitter / activity company, museum / gallery, entertainment venue.

Attend an info session to learn more about the application process. Find out more and register here:

Application Details

View Projects

Sunflowers and other outdoor plants in a small outdoor garden

Coming In Hot Composting at Worthy

Worthy Environmental will use the Community Innovation Fund to purchase a composter and rain barrel...
Youth and adults sitting at tables with green reusable plates in a community room

LCA Community Reusable Dishware

Latino Community Association used the Community Innovation Fund in 2022 to purchase reusable food and...
A plant outside in a large pot made from plastic bags.

RAD Plarn Plant Pots!

RAD (Reduce All Detritus) purchased a large spinning wheel and other tools and supplies to...

Check out what Central Oregon Community College accomplished through the Community Innovation Fund in 2019-2020!

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Thank You to Our Partners, Who Make the CIF Possible