TRASHBLITZ COMMUNITY FUND

Big change starts with community.

5 Gyres invites local organizations and coalitions to apply for TrashBlitz project funds. In 2024, one group will receive $10,000 to implement a TrashBlitz and co-develop a report on waste trends in their region.

Applications for the 2024 TrashBlitz Community Fund are now closed.

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ABOUT:

In 2023-26, 5 Gyres’ TrashBlitz program will expand to six new cities/regions with the support of local coalitions and organizations. We will award funding and on-the-ground support to groups that can leverage the TrashBlitz research platform to drive change in their communities.

This year, 5 Gyres will award one group with $10,000 to execute a TrashBlitz in their region and commit to collecting, tracking, and analyzing a minimum of 15,000 data points. In addition to funding, awardees will receive a toolkit of templatized outreach materials, volunteer training, logistical support, data analysis, and report production support.

REQUIREMENTS:

Must be a 501c3 organization, coalition, or individual with a focus on plastics work (i.e. pollution reduction, circular economy, reuse/refill implementation, toxics reduction/monitoring, etc.)

  • Must commit to a 6 month project timeline

  • Have a proven track record of organizing citizen science or community-based cleanup events

  • Able to collect and analyze a minimum of 15,000 pieces of waste using the TrashBlitz app

  • Recommended to already have an established volunteer base

  • Recommended to already be actively involved in the proposed survey location

  • Must be located in the United States or US Territories and Freely Associated States

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Submissions for the TrashBlitz Community Fund RFP will be accepted through April 1, 2024. Applicants are required to submit their proposal through the online form below.

All applications will be carefully reviewed by 5 Gyres. Preference will be given to Environmental Justice or BIPOC-led groups, those operating in states with preemption laws, and/or work being conducted within frontline/fenceline communities or national parks/federal lands. All candidates will be notified on April 5, 2024 of the status of their application. The awardee will complete an MOU with 5 Gyres and receive the $10,000 award in two payments, upon receipt of the signed MOU and completion of the TrashBlitz report.

For all questions, please contact Alison Waliszewski.