National Awards Program

The Keep America Beautiful National Award's annually celebrate businesses, nonprofit organizations, youth groups, and government agencies for their achievements in litter prevention, waste reduction/recycling, beautification/community greening projects or programs.

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to the public

Check back June 1

Keep America Beautiful recognizes outstanding KAB affiliates and their programs in litter prevention, beautification/community greening and waste reduction/recycling. Affiliate award winners deliver a more beautiful, cleaner and enhanced environment using new technologies, improved waste handling and public space stewardship in their programs over a 12-month period.

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates only

Check back June 1

Affiliate Innovation Award

Honors affiliate that have created new and innovative programs and partnerships to further the mission of Keep America Beautiful.  One winner is chosen for each focus area: Beautification/Community Greening, Waste Reduction/Recycling and Litter Prevention. 

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates only

Check back June 1

State Affiliate Innovation Award

Salutes State affiliates that have created innovative programs and partnerships to further the mission of Keep America Beautiful in the three focus areas of. Click here to apply >

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates only

Check back June 1

Keep America Beautiful, the organization credited with producing one of the most successful public service advertising (PSA) campaigns in history, salutes advertising agencies, nonprofit organizations and Keep America Beautiful certified affiliates that have produced PSAs designed to effect positive change towards the environment.

*Formerly the Rogers Awards

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates only

Check back June 1

Acknowledges successful local implementation of the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program to help communities reduce cigarette butt litter and improve their community environments.

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates only

Check back June 1

Best GAC Activation >

Recognizes affiliates that have created outstanding Great American Cleanup volunteer projects and activities focusing on improving community environments. Applications will be considered in three population categories.

Deadline Sept. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates only

Check back June 1

GAC Innovation Award

Rewards affiliates that have created innovative and unique projects and activities as part of the Great American Cleanup program during the last 12 months. Applicants with projects and activities focusing on improving community environments will be considered in three population categories.

Deadline Sept. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates only

Check back June 1

Best Statewide Promotion of the GAC

Salutes the State Affiliate that created the most innovative programs and partnerships in the past 12 months to promote participation in the Great American Cleanup throughout their state.

Deadline Sept. 1

Open to State Leaders only

Check back June 1

GAC/U.S. Department of Transportation Award

Awarded to State Departments of Transportation who contribute significantly to their state’s Great American Cleanup programs.

Deadline Sept. 1

Open to State Leaders only

Check back June 1

The Sue Smith Professional Leadership Award

Named after the recently-retired Director of Education and Affiliate Trainer for Keep America Beautiful, this award honors Affiliate Executive Directors who have built and sustained a local or state affiliate program with exceptional success.

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates only

Check back June 1

The William (Bill) Nash Award

A pioneer in establishing the national Keep America Beautiful affiliate network, Bill Nash worked tirelessly with community leaders across the country. This award recognizes a new Keep America Beautiful affiliate (certified within the last three years) for its outstanding achievement in implementing the Keep America Beautiful System.

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to KAB Affiliates  only

Check back June 1

Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award

Honors an outstanding woman for exceptional leadership in litter prevention, waste reduction/recycling and beautification/community greening activities. The award originated during a “Salute to Women in Beautification” program at Keep America Beautiful’s National Conference in 1968, and commemorates the former first lady’s many litter prevention and beautification activities. Since 1968, more than 50 outstanding volunteer women have received this award.

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to the public

Check back June 1

Iron Eyes Cody Award

Salutes an outstanding male volunteer for exceptional leadership in raising public awareness about litter prevention, roadside and community beautification, solid waste issues, and the need for citizens to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands. Since 1988, more than 20 men have been honored with this award.

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to the public

Check back June 1

Young Professional Award

Keep America Beautiful will be presenting the first-ever KAB Young Professional Award at its 60th Anniversary National Conference to honor an outstanding volunteer under the age of 40. This exceptional man or woman will have demonstrated remarkable leadership and outreach in his or her community through work in the areas of litter prevention, waste reduction/recycling promotion and beautification/community greening.

Deadline Oct. 1

Open to the public

Check back June 1