The program has $320,000 for grants related to Community Beautification, Greening, and Environmental Initiatives.
Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants are part of a partnership between Forever Maryland and the Maryland Environmental Trust. For 2022, the program is funded up to $320,000. Grants can be used to fund city beautification projects, greening, and other environmental initiatives. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15, 2021.
“‘We are pleased to work with our partners again to offer Keep Maryland Beautiful grants, supporting locally developed projects for cleaner communities, protected lands, and restored waterways,’ Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio said. ‘These initiatives engage Maryland citizens in important ways that protect our natural resources, enhance our communities, and improve our quality of life'” (Press Release).
Funding for Keep Maryland Beautiful comes from the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Forever Maryland, and Maryland Environmental Trust. Grants are divided into 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” (Press Release).
According to the press release here are the grants and funding amounts:
- Aileen Hughes Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to an individual representing a Maryland land trust for outstanding leadership, partnership, and innovation in a conservation project or organization development.
- Citizen Stewardship Grants of up to $5,000 is awarded to schools, nonprofits, and other community organizations whose missions are centered upon directly engaging community members (especially children and young adults) in environmental education and stewardship. These grants also support organizations that demonstrate active engagement as defenders of the environment by developing innovative solutions to local environmental problems.
- Clean Up & Green Up Maryland Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to local governments, community groups, and nonprofit organizations to promote neighborhood beautification and cleanliness by increasing litter removal, greening activities, community education, and citizen stewardship.
- Janice Hollman Grants of up to $10,000 are awarded to land trusts to increase capacity, support programming and innovation, and foster stronger, better-connected trusts that will protect all natural resources and enhance the lives of citizens and generations to come.
