Funding Opportunities for Communities

The application window for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) will be open from December 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has the jurisdictional area of environmental responsibility over the prevention, control, and abatement of pollution caused by solid waste which presents a threat to human health or the environment, under provisions of 27A O.S. § 1-3-101 and 27A O.S. § 2-10-202.

The Executive Director of DEQ is authorized under the provisions of 27A O.S. §§ 2-3-201 and 2-3-202 to enter into contracts for the purpose of carrying out any of the purposes, objectives, or provisions of the Environmental Quality Code, Title 27A of the Oklahoma Statutes, for which DEQ has jurisdiction.

DEQ is authorized under the provisions of 27A O.S. § 2-10-802(C) to expend funds and enter into contracts with units of local government and political subdivisions of this State for purposes of administering the Oklahoma Solid Waste Management Act.

Eligibility

Grants are available to units of government, including tribal entities, political subdivisions of Oklahoma, components of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, local and statewide organizations representing municipalities or counties, or sub-state planning districts recognized by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.  Non-profit organizations that can successfully demonstrate sole-source provisions of services may also be eligible to apply for funding.

Basic Information:

  • Grants are provided on a reimbursement basis.
  • The first step in the process is to apply.  Applications are now available online.
  • Applications will be scored according to a variety of criteria.  Specific criteria are provided in the applications.
  • Grantees must enter into a formal Agreement with the DEQ as vendors.  A fully executed Agreement and Purchase Order must be in place prior to project initiation.  Funds spent prior to a formal Agreement and Purchase Order are not reimbursable.
  • All awarded funding must be spent in the fiscal year granted.  Agreements expire June 30, 2026.
  • All grantees must track metrics specific to the project and provide monthly reports to DEQ.
  • DEQ does not reimburse for buildings, vehicles, drones, laptops, or certain types of law enforcement equipment.
  • Grants typically range between $1,000 and $50,000.
  • NEW:  DEQ will reimburse 80% of equipment costing between $5,000 – $50,000.
  • Grant money is not guaranteed.  Funding is limited.  DEQ’s ability to fund requests to local governments is entirely dependent on the amount of money available to DEQ to issue grants.
  • Additional information can be found within each grant application.

Process for Receiving Funds:

  1. Submit your application (click here)
  2. DEQ reviews application.  Discussion between DEQ and applicant may occur at this time.  Applicant sends revised Scope of Work and Budget to DEQ, if necessary.
  3. DEQ writes formal Agreement and sends through state’s procurement process for approval.
  4. DEQ sends applicant a formal Agreement to sign and return, electronically.
  5. DEQ signs, then sends an electronic copy of the fully executed Agreement and Purchase Order to applicant.
  6. Applicant may now begin to spend funds intended for reimbursement.  Funds spent prior to a fully executed Agreement and Purchase Order (between steps 1-5) are not reimbursable. 
  7. Applicant sends invoices and monthly reports to DEQ.
  8. DEQ reimburses invoices within 45 days.
  9. All invoices are due by August 31, 2026.  Invoices submitted after August 2026 may not be reimbursed.

Types of Grants Available

 

Environmental Officer Grants 

These grants are given to curtail illegal dumping and are not to exceed $50,000. They typically provide funding for the salary of one part-time Environmental Officer, equipment used in cleaning up dumpsites, labor, and other costs associated with clean-ups or collection events. Grant recipients are required to submit monthly invoices, photos, and track certain metrics, such as number of dumps identified, and pounds of trash picked up.

Equipment Grants

These grants are for purchasing solid waste management equipment valued between $5,000 and $50,000.  Examples include brush chippers, recycling equipment such as balers, HHW facility equipment, and composting equipment. These are typically one-time purchases. Storage and maintenance plans must be included in the application.  The contractor is required to submit appropriate invoicing and provide monthly photos and metrics.

Collection Event Grants

Collection event grants are for hosting the collection of electronic waste (e-waste) and typically also include the collection of household hazardous waste (HHW), tires, unwanted residential pharmaceuticals, scrap metal, and medical sharps.  These grants are typically provided for one, or a series of, discrete collection events.  The contractor shall use an R2 or e-Steward certified electronics recycler.  The contractor shall coordinate with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics or their local Environmental Officer for coordination on pharmaceuticals.  Information on medical sharps collection can be found in the application.  Used tires may be collected for recycling using DEQ’s Tire Program.  If collecting tires, your community may qualify as an Oklahoma Clean Community.  For more information, e-mail (click here) or apply here.  After each collection event, the contractor shall provide an invoice including a description of the event, photos, and the types and amounts of waste collected.

Professional Service/Other Grants

These grants are for:

  • Non-profit organizations that successfully demonstrate sole-source provisions of services.
  • Grant opportunities that do not fall into one of the aforementioned categories.  These may include one-time clean-ups, technical assistance, facility start-up support, and more.

The contractor is required to submit monthly invoices, metrics, photos, and descriptions of each month’s work.

  • Professional Service/Other Grant Application – Word Version

Food Waste Management Projects

These grants are for a wide range of projects to reduce wasted food by diverting it from disposal to higher use.  Examples include supplies and equipment to support school food share or community food recovery programs, and university research projects to define existing food recovery infrastructure.

Sharps Management Grant

When needles are flushed, disposed of in the trash, or littered they pose grave health and safety risks to residents, sanitation workers, sewage treatment plant operators, waste management personnel, hospitality workers, and community members.

Funding may be used to support better disposal options for used medical sharps, including, purchased materials related to collection (kiosks, totes, containers), pay for disposal services, and event/site preparation (education and outreach, advertising).  Medical Sharps – Oklahoma Safe Medical Disposal

  • Sharps Waste Management Grant Application – Word Version

For a glimpse into past projects, check out the story of our Solid Waste Management Grant Program.

Other Grant Opportunities

Does your community have environmental issues or challenges related to clean air, water, solid waste or improving food access?  Grantmakers provides funds for work in the areas of assessments, planning and development, which includes project implementation.  The short two-page applications are open in most of the EPA Regions and some are due as early as Dec. 30.  Check out these resources to learn more about eligibility and potential project types, and find the applications posted by region.

The Recycling Partnership

Through The Recycling Partnership’s Residential Drop-Off Recycling Grant Program, communities are provided grant funding, technical assistance, as well as the design of education and outreach materials to help advance recycling and improve drop-off recycling access and capacity for U.S. residents.

Communities considering any of the following system improvements are encouraged to apply:

  1. Constructing new drop-off sites to expand recycling access.
  2. Infrastructure enhancements to connect to regional MRFs or transfer stations through hub-and-spoke model transportation.
  3. Converting existing drop-off sites from unstaffed to staffed sites.
  4. Implementing commingled compaction for collection efficiency.

Drop-off Recycling Program Grant – The Recycling Partnership