Great Lakes Great Responsibility announces the opening of the grant application period for Summer 2025 Great Lakes Cleanup Mini Grant, designed to help communities in the Great Lakes basin target locations for litter removal and cleanup. This summer, Great Lakes Great Responsibility will offer two $500 grants. Organizations dedicated to eradicating litter and beautifying their communities are encouraged to apply!

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ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION

• Your organization must reside within the Great Lakes Basin and provide benefits to those within that geographic area.

• Your organization must be recognized as a non-profit charitable organization under section 501 (c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service code or a Canadian registered non-profit or charity. Schools, school clubs, service organizations and government agencies are also eligible. Grants to religious organizations will be considered only if they serve the general public and do not have religious overtones of a sectarian nature. 

• You will be asked to provide your organization's EIN or government tax identification number.

• No grants are made to individuals.

• No grants will be made to previous grantees who have received funding in the last two years. 2022 grantees are invited to apply. 

ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

• Grants are made for future projects only. No funding will be given for projects completed before final board approval. Board approval is usually within four (4) weeks of the grant deadline. 

• Great Lakes Great Responsibility discourages repeated applications for sustained funding of programs.

• Grant recipients will be required to share:

  1. Photos and/or video of the cleanup project(s)/event(s)

  2. Amount of trash removed (pieces and/or pounds)

  3. Number of volunteers involved

  4. Number of volunteer hours involved

ABOUT FUNDS AVAILABLE

• Applicants may submit requests up to a maximum of $500 per application cycle unless otherwise indicated.

• For accounting purposes, all allocated funds are disbursed upon receipt of documentation of the expenditures.

ABOUT DEADLINES

• Great Lakes Cleanup Mini Grant applications are reviewed two times each year.

• Completed applications must be submitted by March 31 or August 31.

• Grants are normally paid within one year of approval. If necessary, a written/emailed request may be submitted for a six (6) month extension.

ABOUT ALLOCATION DECISIONS

• A Grant Committee of Great Lakes Great Responsibility board members makes all allocation recommendations.

• All recommendations for allocations must be approved by vote of the Great Lakes Great Responsibility board at their monthly meeting following the application deadline.

BUDGET EXAMPLE

• You may use our budget example to assist you in completing the budget section of your application: Budget Example.

• Blank Google Sheet Budget Form (make a copy) or Download blank Excel Budget Form​