2024 COMMUNITY GRANTS

2024 COMMUNITY GRANTS

In 2024, Keep America Beautiful® will provide grants to support the implementation of our Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, Great American Cleanup®, and MLK Community/Neighborhood Improvement programs.

As you plan your program activities and prepare your application, please keep the following in mind: 

    • While some grant opportunities are open to organizations outside the KAB affiliate network, KAB affiliates receive priority review and consideration.
    • Each grant opportunity has its own implementation timeline and interim and final reporting requirements.
    • Grant recipients will receive 70% of funding upon execution of a grant agreement, and 30% upon receipt and approval of a final report and invoice. 

    Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) Grants

    The Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program helps reduce pollution in American communities by collecting cigarette waste from public spaces and waterways and recycling it. Since its inception in 2003, the program has been implemented in more than 1,800 communities across the nation, achieving an average of 50% reduction in cigarette waste.

    Opportunity at a Glance

      • Grant is open to KAB Affiliates, nonprofits, local governments, and other community organizations who wish to implement KAB’s 4-step, field-tested CLPP approach in their communities. Non-KAB Affiliates are strongly encouraged to partner with a KAB Affiliate in their community. KAB affiliates will also receive priority review and consideration.
      • Grants awarded will range between $5,000 – $20,000.
      • While we are prioritizing projects that expand the program’s footprint by reaching new communities, we will continue to support successful existing efforts.
      • Proposals specifically interested in using CLPP as a clean water strategy will also be prioritized.
      • Expenses eligible for grant support include purchasing public receptacles for cigarette litter collection, marketing costs, and costs associated with administering the program, including salaries. Applicants will be required to provide a budget and an accompanying rationale in their applications.
      • To facilitate and increase butt recycling and ensure consistency in CLPP infrastructure deployed, grantees will be required to purchase KAB approved receptacles. KAB will facilitate the procurement of receptacles through its partner TerraCycle and will deduct receptacle costs from the cash grant provided. Further information on receptacle cost is available in the application.
      • Grantees who recycle their butts via TerraCycle will also benefit from TerraCyle’s commitment to donating $1 per pound of cigarette waste collected from CLPP grantees. Registration is required for this benefit. Click here to learn more about recycling cigarette waste with Terracycle.

    Timeline and Reporting Requirements

      • Application period: December 15, 2023 – February 15, 2024
      • Grants announced and executed: March 2024
      • Implementation period: April 2024 – December 2024
      • Interim Report Due: September 30, 2024
      • Final Report Due: December 15, 2024

    Check out this recorded webinar for an overview of how the program works and to learn more about additional program requirements and expectations.

    CLPP Grants have closed for 2024

     

    Great American Cleanup Grants 

    The Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program to clean and beautify communities across the United States each spring. With a focus on community needs, the program activates KAB affiliates to remove litter and debris from roadsides, highways, shorelines, and waterways; plant trees, flowers, and gardens; beautify community spaces through art; lead community recycling efforts; and clean and restore nature trails, recreation areas, and playgrounds.

    Opportunity at a Glance

      • Grant is open to KAB Affiliates only.
      • In 2024, KAB will provide litter cleanup kits and funding to support affiliate Great American Cleanup efforts.
      • KAB Affiliates can request cleanup kits, small cash grants or both.
      • Grants awarded will range between $500 and $2,500
      • Cash grants cannot be used to support salaries/labor or management/administrative expenses
      • While we are prioritizing cash support for projects that help increase program impact beyond cleanups, we will continue to support cleanups.

    Timeline and Reporting Requirements

      • Application period: December 15, 2023 – January 19, 2024
      • Grants announced and executed: March 2024
      • Implementation period: Great American Cleanup 2024 (March 21- June 20, 2024)
      • Final Report Due: July 26, 2024 via the Affiliate Hub

    GAC Grants have closed for 2024

    Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Community Improvement Grants

    Keep America Beautiful provides MLK Community Improvement Grants to support communities in revitalizing, beautifying and transforming areas in and around Martin Luther King Jr. corridors and neighborhoods. With over 950 MLK corridors across the United States transecting a variety of different neighborhood types and commercial uses, this grant helps business, residents and community groups address their challenges and meet their needs. Past MLK projects have included murals and public art installations, the creation of community gardens and green spaces, tree plantings and cleanup efforts.

    Opportunity at a Glance

      • Grant is open to KAB Affiliates, nonprofits, local governments and other community organizations. Non-KAB Affiliates are strongly encouraged to partner with a KAB Affiliate in their community. KAB affiliates will receive priority review and consideration.
      • Project locations must be along or near MLK corridors.
      • Projects must address a need identified by the community and foster a sense of inclusion and self-determination.
      • Grants awarded will range between $5,000 and $20,000.

    Timeline and Reporting Requirements

      • Application period: January 15, 2024 – March 8, 2024
      • Grants announced and executed: April 2024
      • Implementation period: April 2024 – December 2024
      • Interim Report Due: September 30, 2024
      • Final Report Due: December 15, 2024

    MLK Grants have closed for 2024

    YOUR DONATION IN ACTION

    Your generosity allows us to expand our program offerings, fund community improvement projects from coast to coast, and provide the means needed to make meaningful and lasting impact in local communities across the U.S.