2026 Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling Program Grants

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Grant Guidelines: 2026 Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling Program (CLPR) Grants
Application Due: 5pm ET on March 30, 2026

Extensions will not be granted. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Overview

The Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling Program (CLPR) helps reduce litter in American communities by collecting cigarette waste from public spaces and waterways and recycling it. Since its inception in 2003, the program has been implemented in more than 1,800 communities across the nation, achieving an average of 50% reduction in cigarette waste.

In 2026, in partnership with its sponsors Altria, Reynolds American, Inc. and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, KAB will offer cash grants to support communities, affiliates and partners looking to:

Implement the CLPR for the first time

Scale existing CLPR efforts for broader impact

Maintain existing or reinvigorate past CLPR efforts

Funding & Assets Available

Over $300,000 in funding will be available across cash funding tracks.

Cash grants will range between $500 and $20,000 depending on the funding track. (See below for funding tracks).

Upon request, grantees can also receive the following assets in-kind: cigarette butt recycling bags/envelopes, pocket ashtrays, auto ashtrays.

General Eligibility

These grants are open to Keep America Beautiful affiliates, nonprofits, local governments, and other community organizations. Non-KAB affiliates are strongly encouraged to partner with a KAB Affiliate in their community or state. KAB affiliates in President’s Circle will receive priority review and consideration.

Timeline

Application Deadline: 5PM ET on March 30, 2026
Award Announcement: April – May 2026

Project implementation: May - December 15, 2026

Reporting Deadlines: Keep America Beautiful will require every grant recipient to complete interim and final reports by the following deadlines.

Interim Report Due: 5pm ET, September 30, 2026
Final Report Due: 5pm ET, December 15, 2026

General Guidelines (Applicable to all funding tracks)

All grantees are strongly encouraged to recycle their cigarette butts. Applicants that signal commitment to cigarette butt recycling and/or outline a plan to recycle their cigarette butts will be prioritized for funding.

Note that Grantees who recycle their butts via TerraCycle will also benefit from TerraCyle’s commitment to donating $1 per pound of cigarette waste collected from CLPR grantees. Registration with TerraCycle is required for this benefit.

Proposals must clearly describe the need for the project.

Applicant must demonstrate the ability to conclude the project and required reporting within the grant period.

Applicants will be required to provide a budget and an accompanying rationale in their applications.

As you plan your grant program activities, please keep in mind that grantees will receive 70% of their cash grant upon executing a grant agreement and submitting an invoice. The remaining 30% of the award will be disbursed after submitting a final invoice and having their final reports approved by Keep America Beautiful.

Grantees are asked not to solicit national sponsors for additional funding or in-kind support.

Grant Review Process & Considerations

Applications will be reviewed & decided by a grant review and selection committee and evaluated for:

Clear articulation for program need.

Expected impact and outcomes in terms of cigarette litter reduced, materials recycled, and population served.

Willingness and commitment to recycling cigarette butts.

Ability to successfully implement the program within implementation period.

Completeness, clarity, and respect for word limits.

Evaluation criteria above are not all required but highly encouraged to ensure strong and successful applications.

Please note that 2024 and 2025 grant recipients who did not submit final reports to KAB will not be eligible for a grant in 2026.

Reporting Requirements

Grantees will be expected to detail the following items in their final report:

Date receptacles were received and placed into service.

Photos and stories showcasing project impact.

Verification and/or updates of materials in grant application.

Documented status of cigarette litter (less/same/more) where the program is implemented.

Weight of cigarette butts collected and recycled.

Media outreach and/or coverage.

Locations where receptacles are placed.

Copies of educational and/or marketing materials.

Funding Tracks

In 2026, KAB will be offering the following funding tracks:

Track 1: New Communities

Eligibility

This funding track is available to affiliate or partner organizations/communities that have never received a CLPR grant in the past and are looking to implement the proven 4-step approach for the first time.

Funding Available

Cash grants ranging between $5,000 - $20,000

Budget Guidelines

We expect a substantial portion of the requested budget to go towards the purchase of cigarette litter receptacle infrastructure (eg. standing or mounted cigarette collection bins), as this is critical to the program’s success. The amount can range depending on need, but KAB recommends allocating 20% to 40% of the total budget to infrastructure. Grants will not be issued to new communities that:

Fail to include a budget for purchasing infrastructure OR

If not planning to purchase infrastructure with the grant funds, fail to justify the source of infrastructure to meet their program’s needs.

Up to 20% of the project budget can be allocated to administrative, project management and maintenance costs.

Other Considerations

Applicants must commit to implementing the field-tested 4-step Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling Program.

Applicants are highly encouraged to learn more about the 4-step CLPR process and scope the feasibility of executing it within the grant’s implementation period before applying.

Keep America Beautiful affiliates can access additional resources by joining the ‘CLPR Implementation Group’ in the KAB Affiliate Hub.

KAB will publish a pre-implementation webinar in February 2026.

Track 2: Existing CLPR communities

Eligibility

This funding track is available to affiliate or partner organizations/communities that have received a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program in the past and want to:

Scale their program footprint, either through new partnerships or scaling into new areas within their geographies OR

Maintain existing efforts, revitalize past efforts or adjust their programming to implement learning from past program evaluations.

Guidelines

Grants ranging between $500 and $15,000

No infrastructure will be provided by KAB. Applicants should factor the cost of cigarette butt collection infrastructure into their budget request.

Budget Guidelines

For applicants looking to scale efforts, KAB recommends that at least 20-30% of the requested budget is allocated to the purchase of cigarette litter receptacle and infrastructure.

Up to 20% of the project budget can be allocated to administrative, project management and maintenance costs.

Acknowledgement and Acceptance of Guidelines:

I have read and fully understand the above description and requirements. By clicking the check box below, I agree to these terms and conditions of the grant program.

Yes

Is your organization a Keep America Beautiful affiliate?

YesNoDon't Know

For Affiliate Applicants Only

If your organization is a Keep America Beautiful® please use the search field below to find and click-on the name of your affiliate:

To search, start typing the name of your affiliate and when the suggested result drop-down appears look for and click-on the name of your affiliate. This will pre-fill a number of fields below.

For Non-Affiliate Applicants

Only Answer the Following Questions if Your Organization Is Not a Keep America Beautiful Affiliate:

If your organization is not an affiliate please enter the name below and continue with the application:

What best describes your organization’s relationship to your local Keep America Beautiful affiliate?

KAB Affiliate Partner

What best describes your organization?

Applicant Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Title

Contact Email Address

Contact Phone Number

Is the primary contact for this project the same as the Applicant?

YesNo

Project Primary Contact

Project Contact First Name

Project Contact Last Name

Project Contact Email

Project Contact Phone

Organization Information

Organization Name

Street Address

Organization Phone Number

City

State

Zip Code

Organization Website

Federal Tax ID #

Hidden Fields

Applying Org Account ID

Status

Invited Submitted In progress In Review ReviewedAwardedFully DisbursedClosedNot AwardedWithdrawn

Applying Contact ID

Funding Program Id - CLPR

Record Type Id - CLPR

Eligibility/Track Selection

Please select the track that best fits your application:

Track 1: My community has not implemented the CLPR program before/ I am new to the CLPR ProgramTrack 2: I have implemented the CLPR program in the past and need funding to further scale the program, support existing efforts, or revitalize past efforts.

Since this would be your first time implementing the program, we encourage you to learn more about each of the components before submitting an application. You can learn more about it on our website or via our CLPR program toolkit.

Track 1: New Communities

Grant Project Information

Please select the strategies that you are looking to implement through your Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling Program. [select all that apply by holding Ctrl+ (on Mac use Command key) and clicking on your selections].

Receptacle installation is a core component of a CLPR program. Therefore, Keep America Beautiful recommends that projects incorporate infrastructure. If you will not install infrastructure as part of this grant project, please describe in the Project Plan your existing infrastructure that this grant will support.

What is the estimated number of volunteers that you expect to participate in this project?
Enter 0 if no volunteers used for the project.

How many individuals will be served or reached by this program?

To help us understand the impact of this grant project, please estimate the number of individuals whose lives will be directly touched by your project. The number of people served is likely to vary significantly from project to project. For instance, a park cleanup will serve the users of that park and surrounding residents for a designated period of time (e.g., 3 months), a city-wide planting day may serve all city residents if resources are advertised and made available to all community residents, and a beach cleanup at a heavily trafficked beach may serve the number of visitors on a given day.

Project Summary

In 50 words or less, please summarize your project along with key goals and tasks. (50 words max)

(50 words = approx. 350 characters)

Project Need

What is the problem, need, or opportunity that is being addressed?
What are your goals and general approach for this project?
How will your grant help you be successful? (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Plan

How will the project be implemented? Please identify how you will utilize organization staff and/or volunteers. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Impact

Apart from a reduction in cigarette litter, what are the expected outcomes of your project?
(Project outcomes are the changes that you believe will occur as a result of your project. Outcomes can include, but are not limited to: individual-level changes, such as changes in knowledge, interests, awareness, and skills; institutional changes, such as changes in policies and partnerships; and community changes, such as changes in the environment and economy.)
What specific outcomes that you listed will be measured and how will you measure them? (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Timeline

Project Start Date

On or after 04/01/2026

Project Completion Date

Must end on or before 12/15/2026

Other key project dates, e.g. community events, infrastructure installation [if applicable] (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Partners

The first step of the CLPR is to engage a task-force or team of stakeholders with the shared goal to reduce or eliminate cigarette litter. Effective teams typically include representatives from private and civic sectors, including government, businesses, and residents. Identify the members of your CLPR task-force and the sector they represent. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Please describe any steps you’ve taken to put your CLPR task-force together and secure their buy-in for the project. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Infrastructure

Style of cigarette litter collection bin you plan on requesting [select all that apply].

Please provide further details regarding the receptacles you’d like to purchase. Include models, vendors and if relevant, links. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

At no cost to you, the CLPR grant includes pocket and/or portable auto (cup holder style) ashtrays. To facilitate recycling, we also have recycling envelopes available. Please indicate if you’d like to receive these below.:

Would you like to receive pocket ashtrays

Would you like to receive auto ashtrays

Would you like to receive Envelopes

Shipping Information

For shipping pocket ashtrays, auto ashtrays, or recycling envelopes, shall we use the applicant contact information and organization address listed on the previous page or should we ship to a different contact and/or address?

Same Contact and/or AddressDifferent Contact and/or Address

Shipping Address Delivery Considerations (select all that apply)

None of the belowLift GatePallet JackAdvance Notice of Delivery NeededResidential DeliveryOther (please specify)

Other Shipping Address Delivery Consideration

Shipping Contact

Shipping Contact First Name

Shipping Contact Last Name

Shipping Contact Email

Shipping Contact Phone

Shipping Contact Street Address

P.O. Boxes are not permitted

Shipping Contact City

Shipping Contact State

Shipping Contact Zip Code

Grant Request

Requested CLPR cash grant amount ($5,000 - $20,000). Please select your requested amount below.

$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000

Project Budget Details

Budget: How will the requested funds from the previous question be spent? Please indicate the amount in each category below. The number must total the requested grant amount. Please enter 0 if no expenses in a particular category. Please follow infrastructure spending recommendations outlined in grant guidelines. Up to 20% of budget can cover program administrative, management and maintenance cost.

Administrative expenses

Labor expenses

Education and marketing materials

Media expenses

Receptacle Infrastructure Expenses

Other infrastructure expenses

Budget Narrative

Please explain your budget allocations and how you are planning to spend the funds in each category. If your allocation for infrastructure is zero or less than the 20-40% recommended range please justify. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Additional Support

Which of the following types of additional support will your program leverage to ensure program success?

In-kind labor (other than program volunteers)In-kind suppliesDiscounted suppliesIn-kind mediaMatching funds or other fundingNone of the above

Additional Information

Cigarette Butt Recycling

Cigarette butts are recycled at no cost to you via KAB’s partner TerraCycle. Are you planning to participate in the butt recycling service from TerraCycle?

YesNoDon't know

If available, please describe your plan to recycle cigarette butts. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Implementation and Receptacle Servicing

The installation of cigarette receptacles is critical to success. Consider where and how you are installing your receptacles. Make sure you allow sufficient time to get the ash receptacle installation approved locally. Note that a commitment to receptacle maintenance and emptying should be in place before installation. Ideally, for most programs, ash receptacles should be installed within the first 3 months of implementation.

Please describe your plans for cigarette receptacle installation and maintenance.(300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Have you secured the required permission to install your receptacles? If installing in public spaces, have you secured or scoped any permissions required from the local jurisdiction? If installing in private spaces, have you secured permission from the property owners?

YesNo

Who will service and empty the cigarette litter stands?

Paid internal staffPaid external or contract staffPublic works staffVolunteersDon’t knowOther (please specify)

If other, please specify:

Please describe your plan for pocket and/or auto ashtray distribution. If you will not distribute these products, please enter N/A. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Please describe your plan to develop and/or deploy an educational campaign for your program. Note that KAB does have examples and templates that can be shared with applicants. (If you will not carry out an educational campaign, please enter N/A). (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Please describe your plan to review litter laws and contribute to litter law enforcement or ordinance development. (If you do not plan to do this, please enter N/A). (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Feasibility & Sustainability

With an 8-month implementation grant period, understanding the steps and buy-in required to enable your project’s success is critical. Please describe any preparatory or early planning work you have done to ensure the project is feasible within the timeline. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

How will you ensure your project can be sustained into the future? (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

What challenges do you anticipate in completing your project? (E.g. permits, property owner approvals, insufficient funding, inclement weather, community buy-in, material supplies/procurement). What can you do or are planning to do to ensure those challenges do not get in the way of project success? (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Track 2: Existing CLPR Communities

Project Summary

In 50 words or less, please summarize your current or expanding CLPR efforts. (50 words max)

(50 words = approx. 350 characters)

What is the estimated number of volunteers that you expect to participate in this project?
Enter 0 if no volunteers used for the project.

How many individuals will be served or reached by this program?

Project Need

Please select the option that best describes the reason for your grant request:

Scaling our CLPR program by reaching new areas within our jurisdictionContinuing or maintaining existing CLPR effortsReviving or restarting past or inactive CLPR efforts

Describe why you are requesting this funding. What is the new need or opportunity being addressed? What are your goals? How will your grant help you be successful? (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Plan

How will the project be implemented? Please identify how you will utilize organization staff and/or volunteers.(300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Impact

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Timeline

Project Start Date

On or after 04/01/2026

Project Completion Date

Must end on or before 12/15/2026

Project Partners

Please list key partners in your efforts to scale your program along with any steps you’ve taken to secure their buy-in for the project.(300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Tell us about your CLPR task-force and how they’ve enabled and will continue to enable the program’s success. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

How you will you reactivate your CLPR task-force to enable success now and in the future?(300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Infrastructure

Style of cigarette litter collection bin you plan on requesting . [Select all that apply by holding Ctrl+ (on Mac use Command key) and clicking on your selections].

Please provide further details regarding the receptacles you’d like to purchase. Include models, vendors and if relevant, links.(300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Would you like to receive pocket ashtrays

Would you like to receive auto ashtrays

Would you like to receive Envelopes

Shipping Information

Same Contact and/or AddressDifferent Contact and/or Address

Shipping Address Delivery Considerations (select all that apply)

None of the belowLift GatePallet JackAdvance Notice of Delivery NeededResidential DeliveryOther (please specify)

Other Shipping Address Delivery Consideration

Shipping Contact

Shipping Contact First Name

Shipping Contact Last Name

Shipping Contact Email

Shipping Contact Phone

Shipping Contact Street Address

P.O. Boxes are not permitted

Shipping Contact City

Shipping Contact State

Shipping Contact Zip Code

Grant Request

Requested CLPR cash grant amount ($500 - $15,000). Please select your requested amount below.

$500$1,000$1,500$2,000$2,500$3,000$3,500$4,000$4,500$5,000$10,000$15,000

Project Budget Details

Administrative expenses

Labor expenses

Education and marketing materials

Media expenses

Receptacle Infrastructure Expenses

Other infrastructure expenses

Budget Narrative

Please explain your budget allocations and how you are planning to spend the funds in each category. If your allocation for infrastructure is zero or less than the 20-30% recommended range please justify.(300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Additional Support

Which of the following types of additional support will your program leverage to ensure program success?

In-kind labor (other than program volunteers)In-kind suppliesDiscounted suppliesIn-kind mediaMatching funds or other fundingNone of the above

Additional Information

Project Focus Area

Cigarette Butt Recycling

Cigarette butts are recycled at no cost to you via KAB’s partner TerraCycle. Are you planning to participate in the butt recycling service from TerraCycle?

YesNoDon't know

If available, please describe your plan to recycle cigarette butts. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Implementation and Receptacle Servicing

Please describe your plans for cigarette receptacle installation and maintenance. (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

If installing new receptacles, have you secured the required permission to install receptacles in new areas? If installing in public spaces, have you secured or scoped any permissions required from the local jurisdiction? If installing in private spaces, have you secured permission from the property owners?

YesNo

Who will service and empty the cigarette litter stands?

Paid internal staffPaid external or contract staffPublic works staffVolunteersDon’t knowOther (please specify)

If other, please specify:

Please describe your plan for pocket and/or auto ashtray distribution. If you will not distribute these products, please enter N/A.(300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

Project Feasibility & Sustainability

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

How will you ensure your project can be sustained into the future? (300 words max)

1800 characters = approx. 300 words

If you are finished with this grant application, please click "Review and Submit" to be taken to the Confirmation Page where you can review and print your completed application.

On that page, you will be asked to "Confirm" your submission, at which time your application is complete.

You MUST click confirm at the bottom of the next page in order to finalize your response.

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