Governor's Community Achievement Awards (GCAA)

Funder: Keep Texas Beautiful in partnership with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

Geographic Scope: Texas (all communities eligible)

Award Amount by Population Category:

• Category 1 (up to 3,000): $90,000
• Category 2 (3,001 - 5,500): $110,000
• Category 3 (5,501 - 9,000): $130,000
• Category 4 (9,001 - 15,000): $160,000
• Category 5 (15,001 - 25,000): $180,000
• Category 6 (25,001 - 40,000): $210,000
• Category 7 (40,001 - 65,000): $250,000
• Category 8 (65,001 - 90,000): $270,000
• Category 9 (90,001 - 180,000): $290,000
• Category 10 (180,001+): $310,000

Total Annual Funding: $2,000,000

Program History: Operating for more than 46 years; TxDOT providing landscape funding since 1986

Focus Areas:
Communities are judged on achievements in seven different areas:

• Community leadership and coordination
• Education
• Public awareness
• Litter prevention and cleanup
• Litter law and illegal dumping enforcement
• Beautification and community improvement
• Solid waste management

Fund Use:

• Landscaping projects along local rights-of-way within communities
• Recognition of best grassroots environmental programs in the state

Eligibility:

• Every community in Texas is eligible to apply
• A community is defined as a region or regions with shared or adjoining boundaries whose beautification and litter abatement programs are administered by a common organization
• One community may not have more than one GCAA entry
• A program entered for competition may consist of more than one community

Recognition:

• Winners announced annually in the spring
• Formal recognition ceremony held during Keep Texas Beautiful's annual conference
• Recognition at a gala dinner

Application Process

1. Assess your community's environmental programs in the seven judging categories
2. Complete application form detailing program achievements
3. Submit by deadline (typically spring deadline for spring announcement)
4. Panel of judges reviews applications

Judging Criteria

Applications evaluated in seven areas:

• Community leadership and coordination: Demonstrate organizational leadership and partnerships
• Education: Document educational initiatives and public engagement
• Public awareness: Show public awareness campaigns and initiatives
• Litter prevention and cleanup: Detail cleanup programs and litter reduction efforts
• Litter law and illegal dumping enforcement: Document enforcement activities
• Beautification and community improvement: Show beautification projects and community improvements
• Solid waste management: Detail waste management initiatives

Important Notes

• Multiple projects in a community may be funded, but each requires a separate application
• A community may not submit more than one GCAA entry
• Program may consist of more than one community if they share boundaries and administration

Application Portal/Website: www.ktb.org