Supported by the 2010 Iowa Legislature and the Solid Waste Alternatives Program administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

At its Environmental Protection Commission meeting on July 20, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved an agreement with Keep Iowa Beautiful (KIB) to administer a grant program for communities with a population of 5,000 and under. Projects eligible for funding include:

• Litter prevention / removal / education / implementation / public awareness.
• Recycling education / implementation / public awareness.
• Beautification programs – flower, tree and shrub planting, painting & fix-up and general landscaping.
• Public nuisance abatement.
• Derelict buildings – removal / renovation including asbestos abatement and removal, recovery and recycling of reusable materials and / or the purchase of recycled-content materials used in renovation efforts.

Maximum grants are $5,000 for beautification and $15,000 for derelict building projects.

Other factors that will enhance grant success include:

• Projects with long-term or continuing benefits are desirable as opposed to one-time projects without lasting benefit.
• Projects involving youth with a focus on service learning hour opportunities, are most desirable.
• Special consideration for the derelict building segment will be given to those applicants that hire the unemployed for the deconstruction, reconstruction or cleanup of the properties.
• Projects that have an ongoing structure, planning effort or organization such as Keep Your Community Beautiful, Main Street, Trees Forever or other efforts are desirable.

Grant applications and detailed information is available on the KIB web site on the front page and under the grants program area. Applications are due or postmarked no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2010. Electronic / email applications are accepted. The submitted grant requests will be reviewed by a review team of individuals from KIB, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations, Iowa Recycling Association, Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The successful grant applicants will be notified by Friday, September 3.

About Keep Iowa Beautiful