The Washoe Sustainability Fund invests local dollars in local solutions that improve health, lower energy costs, and make our Washoe County a more resilient, happier place to live.
The Fund is currently finalizing the following proposals to deliver meaningful outcomes for our community. We welcome improvements to these, as well as additional project ideas that offer targeted, tangible benefits and results in line with the goals listed above. Please join us in making this Fund a robust program to support — and lead where necessary — sustainability best practices in our community. Share your project proposals via this form, or ask a question or start a conversation here.
Nature-Based Solutions
Community forestry, community gardens, pollinator gardens and other green infrastructure projects that nurture the lands and waters that support a resilient community.
Washoe County Community Forestry Program – draft proposal
Why this matters: Reno is the fastest-warming city in the United States. One of the best ways to reduce heat — while cleaning the air, absorbing stormwater, raising property values and building a more resilient community — is to plant more trees. When this program is funded, Washoe County will launch a program to plant trees in the neighborhoods that need them most.
Energy
Passive and active technologies that reduce energy use, clean our air, save people money on energy bills and enhance our community’s energy independence and resilience. Projects may include weatherization, heat pumps, solar panels and other behind-the-meter solutions, as well as education campaigns to help people lower their energy bills and make our community healthier.
DIY Home Energy Educator draft proposal
Why this matters: Most buildings waste too much energy, and many people don’t understand the simple things we can all do to make our buildings more comfortable, while saving money on energy bills and cleaning the air at the same time. This project will support an educator to train people to take control of their energy.
Education
Investing in our sustainable future means investing in each other and in our future leaders with hands-on education opportunities that make a difference.
High School Sustainability Educator draft proposal
Why this matters: There is great potential and interest in our soon-to-be-adult students to bring innovative sustainability solutions to our community, while learning science and analysis that can boost their careers. But local schools and teachers don’t have the capacity to support their learning. This project will help.
Waste-Reduction
There are too many single-use plastics in our community and not enough sustainable alternatives. Answers are out there; we just need the money to launch them. Help us invest in and launch projects that reduce waste and promote a circular economy to benefit our environment, community health and our region’s quality of life.
Sustainable Packaging for Restaurants – draft proposal
Why this matters: Every time we eat or drink from a single-use plastic or Styrofoam cup or food container, we’re poisoning ourselves and our air and water at the same time. More sustainable alternatives are available, but they cost most than many struggling restaurant owners can afford. This project will help cover the difference, helping to remove the toxins from our bodies and community, while building a healthier circular economy.
Have a project idea to add to this list?
Fill out this form to share it with us.
What types of projects are funded?
We fund projects that deliver measurable and meaningful benefits related to energy savings, waste reduction and other sustainability outcomes. Preference will go to those projects with the most measurable or meaningful impact. However, the Advisory Board has the authority to support projects that increase community capacity or inspire community action in other ways, instead of focusing solely on tangible, measurable outcomes. Innovative ideas welcome!
How can organizations apply for funding?
Tax-exempt organizations can apply for funding by submitting a proposal that outlines their project, its impact, and how it aligns with our mission to enhance sustainability in Washoe County. Currently, insufficient funds exist to invest in proposals. But your excellent proposal may be just the tool we need to fundraise for it. Send it in!
What are the eligibility criteria for projects?
Projects must demonstrate measurable and/or meaningful benefits in sustainability, public health, and community resilience. Evaluation criteria are currently being developed.
How are projects selected for funding?
Projects will be selected based on their potential impact, community need, and alignment with the fund’s goals, as determined by our Advisory Board according to established evaluation criteria.
What is the funding process timeline?
The funding process is still being established. The goal will be to invest in projects quickly, while also ensuring thorough review, transparency and impact.