Empowering Community Projects That Restore and Beautify Arkansas

KAB Mission Grant

Empowering Community Projects That Preserve, Restore and Beautify Arkansas

Keep Arkansas Beautiful is proud to offer the KAB Mission Grant—a flexible funding opportunity designed to support a wide variety of community-based projects that align with our mission to inspire and educate Arkansans through beautification, litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, environmental education, and eco-restoration.

KAB will award 16 grants of up to $2,500 each on a reimbursement basis to city and county governments, schools, nonprofits, civic groups, and businesses working to make Arkansas cleaner, greener, and more beautiful.

Application Timeline

Applications are accepted year-round.
However, all applications are reviewed and awarded during two annual grant cycles:

  • Winter Cycle: Opens January 1, closes February 15

  • Summer Cycle: Opens July 1, closes August 15

Up to 8 grants will be awarded per cycle, for a total of 16 annually. All awards are subject to availible funding.

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What Projects Are Eligible?

KAB Mission Grants are intentionally broad to allow for creativity, flexibility, and local impact. Your project must support at least one of KAB’s four core focus areas:

  1. Beautification & Eco-Restoration

    • Native plantings, pollinator gardens, tree planting

    • Murals and public art installations

    • Urban greening and revitalization of neglected areas

    • Trail restoration or habitat enhancement

  2. Litter Prevention & Waterway Protection

    • Public cleanups (land or water-based)

    • Trash boom installation (see details below)

    • Highway, park, or neighborhood litter collection events

    • Educational anti-litter campaigns

  3. Recycling & Waste Reduction

    • Recycling drives and drop-off events

    • Permanent or mobile recycling bin installation

    • Community composting or reuse programs

    • Recycling education and signage

  4. Environmental Education

    • Classroom or public workshops

    • Interpretive signage and awareness campaigns

    • Youth-led projects that teach sustainability

    • Outreach initiatives targeting community engagement

What the Grant Covers

Each project may be reimbursed for up to $2,500 in direct project expenses.
This grant absorbs and expands upon the offerings of the previously separate Trash Boom Grant and Green Event Grant.

Examples of eligible items include (but are not limited to):

  • Litter grabbers and cleanup tools

  • Native plants, trees, mulch, and landscaping materials

  • Educational or directional signage

  • Trash or recycling receptacles

  • Yard equipment and light tools

  • Paint and supplies for murals or graffiti removal

  • Dumpsters or event-related rentals

  • Educational materials and printing for outreach

Not eligible for reimbursement:

  • Items already supplied by KAB (e.g., trash bags, gloves, safety vests)

  • Food and beverages

  • Maintenance or upgrades to previously funded projects

  • Permanent structures requiring large-scale construction

Trash Boom Installations

Projects involving the installation of a trash boom to prevent waterborne litter are eligible under the Mission Grant. Applicants must:

  • Upload photos of the waterway and describe the litter issue

  • Submit permitting or approval from local authorities (if required)

  • Maintain and clean the boom at least monthly

  • Submit data and photos regularly to KAB

  • Assist with installation of KAB-provided educational signage

  • Participate in a small-scale community launch event

Application Requirements

To be considered, applicants must:

  • Complete all fields in the online application

  • Provide a detailed project description

  • Upload at least one photo of the project site or area

  • Share a proposed budget and timeline

  • Submit any permits or approvals, if applicable

  • Agree to submit final data, photos, and outcomes

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are scored on a 9-point scale based on:

  1. Demonstrated need

  2. Clarity of project goals

  3. Alignment with KAB’s mission

  4. Innovation and creativity

  5. Environmental/Community impact

  6. Community engagement or volunteer involvement

  7. Feasibility and readiness

  8. Quality of reporting plan

  9. Long-term value or sustainability

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