Keep America Beautiful (KAB) is launching a competitive grant program to support the KAB Affiliate Network, other nonprofit organizations and community groups to implement programs or projects designed to build clean, green and beautiful public spaces. The KAB Recycling and Community Improvement Grant Program – funded by the Coca Cola Foundation – will award grantees 70 percent of their grant funding upon executing a grant agreement and the remaining 30 percent of their award after submitting their Wrap-Up Report and having it reviewed and accepted by Keep America Beautiful. The deadline to submit applications is Friday March 19, 2021 5:00 p.m. ET. Click here for more information on how to apply.

Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful aims to inspire and educate people to take actions to improve and beautify their community environment. According to their website, the organization provides expertise, programs and resources to help communities end littering, improve recycling and beautify America’s communities.

County governments play an essential role in the nation’s recycling systems, as local governments are the primary provider of waste management services across the country. Counties have the authority and responsibility to undertake solid waste management activities, such as operating waste facilities, recycling centers, residential and commercial waste collection, landfills, combustors and transfer stations. On February 5, 2020, NACo testified before the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies during a hearing on the opportunities and challenges for improving community recycling programs.