Funding Projects Focused on Litter Removal and Prevention, Recycling and Reusing, Waste Reduction and Sustainability, Single-Use Disposable Reduction, and Marine Debris Education

MANDEVILLE, La. – Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB), an anti-litter and community improvement non-profit focused on litter prevention and removal, youth education, public awareness, and beautification, is pleased to announce the launch of a new grant program providing KLB University Affiliates up to $5,000 for projects focused on litter removal and prevention, recycling and reusing, waste reduction and sustainability, single-use disposable reduction, and marine debris education on water quality issues in the Gulf of Mexico. This new grant program is made possible with funding from a five-year EPA Gulf of Mexico Trash-Free Waters Grant.

“Our University Affiliates are stepping up and modeling environmental stewardship for the rest of Louisiana,” says Cabell Mouton, Affiliate and Grant Director. “We can’t wait to see what innovative projects they will be working on during the 2022-23 academic year.”

The first grant application is now open and will close Sept. 15. Only certified KLB University Affiliates are eligible to apply. Projects should have strong, measurable outcomes in one or more of the identified focus areas. Those applicants selected will receive a reimbursement grant ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

The KLB University Affiliate program was developed in 2021 in response to a growing interest in sustainability, waste reduction, and litter prevention at the university level. University of Louisiana at Lafayette, with Keep Louisiana Beautiful as a sub-recipient, secured a $500,000 five-year EPA Gulf of Mexico Trash-Free Waters Grant to create and launch the program, develop a litter assessment app, develop educational training videos for campus communities, and fund grant opportunities for University Affiliates.

KLB University Affiliates include Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, Nicholls State University, Tulane University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

KLB is currently accepting applications from two- and four-year colleges interested in joining the KLB University Affiliate program. The deadline to apply for the 2023 University Affiliate class is Sept. 1. Applicants are committed to sustainability and environmental issues, the promotion of student environmental stewardship, and strategic outcome measurement. The application can be found here. More information about the program and certification is available here.

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful is an anti‐litter and community improvement non-profit organization focused on achieving a clean and beautiful Louisiana through education, enforcement, public awareness, and community engagement. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is affiliated with Keep America Beautiful and comprised of a statewide network of 40 Community Affiliates and seven University Affiliates. Learn more at www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org