2025 Municipality Beautification Grants
Beautiful public spaces painted with color make people proud of where they live, promote environmental stewardship, and get people more involved in their community. As part of the Litter-Free Rhode Island program, the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is pleased to announce the availability of funds for a competitive grant to municipalities for beautification projects. This grant is designed to empower municipalities to take actionable steps toward creating cleaner, greener, and more welcoming public spaces, enhancing the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Grant Award Amounts
DEM will provide a one-time award of up to $2,000 to six (6) municipalities seeking to enhance the visual appeal and livability of public spaces within their communities.
General Requirements
This grant supports small-scale beautification projects that promote civic pride, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Eligible projects may include landscaping, fall plantings for spring blooming, tree planting, public art installations, and revitalization of parks or common areas. All projects must be completed within six months of award and include before-and-after documentation.
Evaluation Criteria:
Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate sustainable practices, long-term community impact, and that the state investment will be leveraged by the contribution of municipal matching funds. While not required, we encourage municipalities to work with local non-profits and/or community groups to complete these projects.
Expenses Funded:
Funds may be used for materials, supplies, contracted services, and modest equipment costs directly related to the beautification effort.
Program Timeline:
- All Applications due: October 10, 2025
- Awards will be announced during the week of October 20, 2025
Applications
A link to the online application is below. Please note that the maximum funding for any single project shall be limited to $2,000. Applications that do not meet the criteria will be rejected.
Submit Application
Frequently Asked Questions
Funds may be used for materials, supplies, contracted services, and modest equipment costs directly related to the beautification effort.
No. We will only consider one application per organization. If we receive multiple applications for a single organization we will only consider the first application that arrives. Before you submit an application be sure to coordinate with other members of you organization.
Eligible projects may include landscaping, fall plantings for spring blooming, tree planting, public art installations, and revitalization of parks or common areas.
Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate sustainable practices, long-term community impact, and that the state investment will be leveraged by the contribution of municipal matching funds. While not required, we encourage municipalities to work with local non-profits and/or community groups to complete these projects.
The review committee consists of representatives from RIDEM and the Office of the Governor.
Additional Questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact RIDEM’s Director’s Office, Suzanne.Amerault@dem.ri.gov.