Community foundation accepting proposals for beautification grants

The Chaney Beautification Fund is making grants available to non-profit organizations to encourage beautiful, sustainable landscapes in Southern Maryland and Virginia. Grants of up to $1,000 are awarded annually to non-profit groups, specifically 501(c) (3) organizations, public or private educational institutions, or government agencies. Beautification projects must be located in counties where Chaney Enterprises has a presence.

In Maryland, projects in the counties of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, southern Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s are eligible for grants. Guidelines for the Chaney Beautification Fund Grants are available on the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland’s website at www.cfsomd.org/grants. Applicants are encouraged to submit projects that incorporate “green” gardening practices, such as water conservation measures, organic fertilizers, and native plant species.

Schools may use grants to incorporate beautification projects into the education curriculum.

Grant proposals must be submitted via email only by 5 p.m., June 17. Grant awards will be up to $1,000 and will be announced in August. Organizations are required to match grant funds with cash or in-kind goods and services. Organizations receiving funds must commit and expend the full amount of the grant by Dec. 15. Only one application per applicant will be accepted, and applicants are advised to review the guidelines to ensure compliance prior to submitting applications.

Applications are available online at www.cfsomd.org/ grants. For more information, contact Gretchen Hardman, executive director of the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland, at 240-670-4483 or at Gretchen@cfsomd.org.