Keep Maryland Beautiful Program Awards $160,000 in Grants

49 Recipients Get Funds for Local Cleanup and Conservation Activities

Parks & People Foundation’s paid internship program, Branches, received a grant for its work engaging low-income high school students in cleaning neighborhoods, creating green spaces and maintaining parks.

The Maryland Environmental Trust has awarded 49 Keep Maryland Beautiful grants totaling over $160,000 to municipalities, nonprofits and schools for beautification projects, community cleanup activities and environmental education programs throughout the state.

Nineteen counties and Baltimore City received the grants, an annual program funded by the Maryland Environmental Trust, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration.

These stewardship-focused grants help develop and support communities, families and youth taking personal responsibility for the health and quality of their communities.

“I’m excited to see this program expand to more than $160,000 this year,” Maryland Environmental Trust Director Bill Leahy said. “We recognize a huge need to support local communities, nonprofits and others promoting proper stewardship of our neighborhoods and open spaces.”

2017 Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants and Recipients

Bill James Environmental Grant, $4,500 total (up to $1,000 each)

Margaret Rosch Jones Grants, $5,800 total (up to $2,000 each)

Clean Up & Green Up Maryland Grant, $150,000 total (up to $5,000 each)