Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, and The GIANT Company, are now accepting applications for the Healing the Planet Grant Program, a competitive grant for tax exempt organizations that aim to build environmental stewardship by connecting people and families to community green spaces, improve community green spaces, support environmental restoration efforts and support community gardens.

The deadline for applications is June 30.

Customers at GIANT, MARTIN'S and GIANT Heirloom Market stores were invited to simply round up their grocery purchase to the nearest dollar, from March through May, to donate to this Healing the Planet grant program.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include any tax-exempt organization, such as nonprofit organizations, conservation districts, schools, and local and county governments, etc. within The GIANT Company’s service areas--

-- Pennsylvania: Adams, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union and York counties.

-- Maryland: Alleghany, Carroll, Cecil and Washington counties.

-- Virginia: Clarke, Culpeper, Frederick and Warren counties and Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro and Winchester cities.

-- West Virginia: Berkeley, Jefferson and Mineral counties.

Eligible projects will connect people and families with community green spaces and could include park improvements, park builds, watershed restoration, recycling infrastructure and related programs, beautification and greening, community gardens, vacant lot restoration, outdoor classrooms, and tree plantings. Projects must be on public land or be for public use and benefit.

Applications will be accepted for $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000. Interested applicants that have smaller projects that do not meet the minimum grant of $2,500 are encouraged to expand the scope of their project or partner with another organization. Applications for less than $2,500 will not be considered.

Visit the Healing the Planet Grant Program webpage to apply.

“At The GIANT Company, we realize that to truly heal the planet, it’s up to all of us to do our part,” said Jessica Groves, social impact manager, The GIANT Company. “We’re excited to offer this grant program with the help of our generous customers and look forward to working with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to beautify our communities for families to enjoy for years to come.”

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has supported community improvement initiatives and has encouraged community leadership, responsibility and a respect for the environment since 1990.  The Healing the Planet Community Grants are an appropriate way to support the noble and necessary work being implemented to improve communities across the state and surrounding area,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Thank you to all of you who ‘rounded up’ at the register. Your generosity will directly impact communities by increasing and improving access to the great outdoors.”

Visit The GIANT Company’s website to learn more about the company’s sustainability programs. 

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., has more than 30 years of experience in organizing volunteer-driven community improvement events.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.

Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.

Related Article:

-- PA Resources Council, Western PA Audubon Host Electronic Waste Recycling Event June 19 Serving Armstrong & Butler Counties

[Posted: June 1, 2021]

6/7/2021