Neighborhood Beautification Grants Available

The Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) program is reviewing grant applications to fund beautification projects that help improve the appearance of communities throughout Montgomery County.  KMCB also reviews grant applications in the fall.  The grants are available on a competitive basis to any non-profit community association.  The grant program has existed for 21 years, and is administered by MCDOT.  Since 2000, KMCB has helped 60 communities fund beautification projects by paying 50 percent of the total cost, up to $500.

Grants must be used for new projects on common areas that improve community aesthetics and protect the environment.  Construction projects, general maintenance, and projects that have already been completed do not qualify.

Neighborhoods have used the grants to plant flowers, shrubs, or trees; landscape a community entranceway or traffic circle; convert weed fields to wildflower meadows; screen highways; and beautify schools.

Volunteer hours qualify as part of a community’s contribution. Volunteer hours spent on the project are valued at $6.55 an hour.

The KMCB Task Force is a group of concerned citizen volunteers who help educate citizens and change public attitudes about littering; support cleanup and beautification projects; encourage citizens to start or improve recycling programs; and raise awareness of the problems caused by graffiti.  MCDOT has funded KMCB since the mid-1980s.  The group welcomes new members and meets informally once a month in Rockville.

To apply for a beautification grant, or for information on how you can become a member of the Task Force, contact MCDOT’s Community Outreach Program at 240-777-7155 or by email.