Reuse Impact Fund Grant

The Reuse Impact Fund Grant, managed by Metro, aims to enhance the reuse, repair, and share economy in the Portland area. This initiative provides flexible, multi-year funding to established nonprofit organizations, enabling them to sustain and expand operations while diverting materials from landfills. By prioritizing high-impact materials such as textiles and electronics, the fund supports environmental sustainability and equity in underserved communities, ultimately reducing harmful emissions and promoting resource efficiency.

Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place. Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.
The Reuse Impact fund aims to provide multi-year, flexible funding for reuse nonprofit organizations to grow the reuse, repair and share economy of greater Portland.
What is the Reuse Impact Fund?
The Reuse Impact Fund is a pilot program that aims to grow a more robust reuse, repair and share economy in greater Portland. The pilot will provide consistent funding to established reuse organizations to sustain and expand the regional reuse infrastructure. This will help residents and businesses extend the lifespan of products and materials already in circulation through effective repair, collection, processing and resale/redistribution. By diverting materials from the landfill and keeping materials in circulation longer, these organizations are reducing harmful environmental and human health impacts, including avoiding greenhouse gas emissions associated with creating new products.
What are the objectives of the Reuse Impact Fund?
The Reuse Impact Fund pilot is intended to help established reuse nonprofit organizations in the Metro region sustain and strategically expand operations and services, particularly in underserved areas. The Reuse Impact Fund will prioritize the following high-impact materials: textiles, building materials, electronics, appliances, furniture, bicycles and tools. These materials have a large impact on people and the environment because of the climate and other polluting emissions that come from creating them.
Organizations will use Reuse Impact Fund funds to:
Divert materials from disposal for reuse, generating measurable environmental and economic benefits.Build operational sustainability in reuse organizations and foster strategic growth.Advance equity by providing quality jobs and excellent services for underserved communities.Partner with Metro to measure and share the benefits of reuse

Eligibility

The pilot Reuse Impact Fund will be open to local nonprofit organizations or their fiscal sponsors that have a tax-exempt status. Organizations must currently operate in the Metro jurisdictional boundary and be established with a proven track record of providing reuse services.

Ineligibility

The Reuse Impact Fund pilot will not fund early-stage organizations or organizations that do not currently provide reuse services, for-profit businesses, or groups focused on reuse/redistribution of food.