October 1, 2020
$312,500 Available for Community Beautification, Greening, and Environmental Initiatives
The Forever Maryland Foundation in partnership with the State of Maryland is now accepting applications for the annual Keep Maryland Beautiful grants program.
Four different grants are being offered to help volunteer and nonprofit groups, communities, and land trusts support environmental education projects, litter removal, citizen stewardship, and solve natural resource issues in urban and rural areas. The deadline to apply for funding is Nov. 12, 2020. Awards will be announced in spring 2021.
The Keep Maryland Beautiful grants will be offered in two categories: Environmental Education, Community Initiatives, and Cleanups for community groups, local governments, and nonprofits; and Land Trust Capacity, Excellence, and Stewardship for local land trusts.
“Our communities have seen a lasting measurable impact through the Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants Program. We are grateful for the commitment of these organizations to advance environmental stewardship, especially in these tough times, with the increased importance of our parks and other outdoor resources,” said Forever Maryland Foundation Chair, Steve Quarles.
“I’ve seen firsthand how Keep Maryland Beautiful grants inspire deeper connections between Marylanders and the environment, which is especially crucial during this time of COVID-19,” said Mary Burke, chair of MET’s Board of Trustees. “Plus more trees, less litter, and more flowers can really make a difference to where we live, work and play. A big thanks goes to our partners for their critical support of MET’s oldest grant program.”
Funding for the Keep Maryland Beautiful grants program is provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland Environmental Trust, and the Forever Maryland Foundation. The Maryland Department of Transportation has pledged $50,000 a year to the program for five years, starting in fiscal year 2018, totaling $250,000. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has provided more than $808,000 for more than 200 Clean Up and Green Up grant awards since fiscal year 2017, and has allocated an additional $250,000 for this year’s awards.
