The 2025-2026 Kentucky Pride Fund Composting Grant, administered by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Waste Management, aims to support eligible applicants in developing or expanding composting programs. The primary objective is to divert materials from landfills towards composting, reuse, or other recycling options. The grant is part of Kentucky’s broader Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Management Grants Program, established under Senate Bill 50 in 2006. Priority is given to regional recycling projects and regional HHW management programs with state-approved interlocal cooperative agreements.

Eligible applicants include counties, waste management districts, cities, urban-county governments, school districts, or any combination of these entities. To expedite the grant agreement process, applicants are encouraged to obtain prior written authorization from their governing body to sign agreements without needing formal meetings. Approved projects must demonstrate long-term financial sustainability beyond the grant period.

Funding under this grant can be used for purchasing composting equipment, infrastructure improvements, and educational outreach. Eligible expenditures include conveyors, forklifts, compost bins, tumblers, shredders, and advertising materials for composting participation. Ineligible costs include expenditures made before July 1, 2025, permit application costs, leasing or constructing buildings, general operational expenses, and personal protective equipment (PPE). A minimum 25% match is required, which can be fulfilled through cash or in-kind contributions such as staff salaries, volunteer labor, or modifications to public facilities.

The application process requires a detailed proposal, including a project summary, description, advertising and education plan, sustainability plan, and budget estimates. Applications must be thorough, as incomplete or vague submissions may receive low scores. Grant recipients must submit quarterly reports on October 15, 2025, January 15, 2026, and April 15, 2026, with a final report due on July 15, 2026. The funds must be spent by June 30, 2026, unless an extension is approved at least 60 days before the grant period ends.

Applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Submission can be made via mail, hand-delivery, or email. The contact for submissions and inquiries is Ty Collins (WilliamT.Collins@ky.gov, (502) 871-2981). Other contacts include Grant White (Grant.White@ky.gov, (502) 782-6474), Donald Atha (Donald.Atha@ky.gov, (502) 782-6205), and Jenny Carr (Jenny.Carr@ky.gov, (502) 782-4663).