BRACE Grant Program

The BRACE Grant Program, administered by the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, aims to combat litter, blight, and illegal dumping while promoting community code enforcement. It offers funding to eligible local governments in Georgia to undertake projects that enhance environmental cleanliness and community pride. Priority is given to communities with populations under 2,500. This initiative not only supports environmental sustainability but also encourages economic growth by improving public spaces.

Introduction
It also hinders economic development—property values decrease in littered neighborhoods, whereas clean spaces attract families and businesses. That’s why we’re excited to provide a grant opportunity that will enable more communities to thrive.
Grant Description
The purpose of the BRACE Grant Program is to reduce litter, blight, and illegal dumping on public property and encourage code enforcement efforts. Funded through the Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF), the grant program is designed to provide assistance to Georgia communities to help address these challenges.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants and recipients for the BRACE Grant include: Counties, municipalities, or any combination of the same, hereafter referred to as local governmentsPublic authorities, agencies, commissions, or institutions Local government applicants must have Qualified Local Government status as of the date of their application, as determined by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs maintains an active listing of local governments who are ineligible to receive state funding, including grants: https://apps.dca.ga.gov/LocalGovStatus/planning.aspEligible Activities The BRACE Grant allows applicants to develop project proposals that best support their community needs. Projects must focus on eliminating litter and illegal dumping, as described by the authorized uses of the SWTF. Examples of BRACE Grant projects may include, but are not limited to:an amnesty day where residents can discard waste items in roll-off dumpsterseducating homeowners about local code complianceGreat American Cleanup activities such as a neighborhood cleanup or community-wide cleanup daysinstallation of additional security cameras, or conducting a litter law enforcement workshop

Ineligibility

Nonprofit or private organizations are not eligible to apply for funding; however, they may partner with eligible applicants on projects. If you were awarded a BRACE Grant during last year’s grant cycle, you will be ineligible to apply this year. Your eligibility as a BRACE applicant will resume during next year's grant cycle.