MassDEP Awards $130,000 in Reuse and Repair Microgrants

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is funding organizations that reduce waste through donation and repair services.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy

Photograph of a wooden workbench with an open small appliance, exposed copper wiring and hand tools in soft overcast light. — Massachusetts awarded more than $130,000 in Reduce, Reuse, Repair microgrants to groups including Braintree Public Schools and Franklin County Technical School to cut waste. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection awarded over $130,000 in microgrants to organizations and communities working to cut waste through donation and repair. The funds were distributed through the agency's Reduce, Reuse, Repair Microgrant program.

Why it matters

The awards support local efforts to keep items out of landfills by backing donation, sharing, rescue, and repair projects across the state. Residents in Massachusetts may see expanded repair and reuse services as recipients put the funding to work.

MassDEP's microgrant awards total over $130,000, with roughly 75% of the funding supporting disadvantaged communities. Individual grants include $10,000 to Braintree Public Schools, $9,950 to Civic Tech New England, $9,000 to Family Table Collaborative, and $5,000 each to Families Like Ours and Franklin County Technical School.

The players

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

The state agency that administers environmental regulation and waste reduction programs in Massachusetts, including the Reduce, Reuse, Repair Microgrant program.

Braintree Public Schools

The public school district in Braintree, Massachusetts, which received the largest individual microgrant in this round at $10,000.

The details

Recipients include Braintree Public Schools, Civic Tech New England, Families Like Ours, Family Table Collaborative, and Franklin County Technical School. The grants cover skills training, equipment, tools, and tracking software for reuse and repair work.

• MassDEP announced the 2026 microgrant awards in November 2026.

Philanthropy Pattern

The Reduce, Reuse, Repair Microgrant program continues Massachusetts' approach of using small, targeted grants to build local reuse infrastructure rather than relying solely on large capital projects. This round directs about 75% of funding toward disadvantaged communities, following that program's equity-focused design.

Residents near the funded organizations may find more access to repair workshops, donation drop-offs, and tool-sharing services. Households looking to reduce waste can check with local recipients like Family Table Collaborative or Civic Tech New England for available programs.

The takeaway

Small state grants can seed reuse and repair services that keep everyday items in use longer. Checking whether a local nonprofit or school offers repair programs is a practical first step for reducing household waste.