For Earth Day, PalmettoPride Announces $466,232 in Grants to Support Cleaner Communities Across South Carolina
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbia, SC (April 22, 2026) — PalmettoPride, South Carolina’s leading anti-litter organization, is marking Earth Day by sharing the results of its 2026 grant cycle. This year, a total of $466,232 was awarded to municipalities, nonprofits, enforcement agencies, and environmental partners working to reduce litter and enhance public spaces across the state.
“Earth Day is a good reminder that this work really starts right in our own communities,” said Sarah Lyles, executive director of PalmettoPride. “These grants help give people the support they need to do something about it, whether that’s keeping roadsides clean, backing up enforcement, or building stronger prevention programs. When you see communities come together like that, it adds up to real, lasting change for South Carolina.”
Litter Crew Grants, which provide up to $10,000 for organized litter removal, support work along municipal roads that are unsafe for volunteer cleanups and require consistent attention. This year, $173,360 was awarded to 19 organizations.
Litter Enforcement Grants offer up to $5,000 to strengthen the enforcement of South Carolina’s litter laws through equipment and resource support. A total of $39,985 was distributed to 9 organizations.
Litter Prevention Grants combine funding of up to $10,000 with donated cleanup supplies to enhance community-based education and prevention initiatives. Through this program, 12 organizations received $73,448 along with materials to support their work.
Keep South Carolina Beautiful (KSCB) Affiliate Support Grants provide funding to certified Keep America Beautiful affiliates to sustain and expand litter reduction and beautification programs. PalmettoPride awarded $179,439 to 21 organizations through this program.
In addition, PalmettoPride awarded 1,503 trees last October through its Tree Grant program, a non-monetary initiative designed to enhance public spaces across the state. Across all five programs, PalmettoPride supported 79 grants benefiting 67 organizations in 33 counties during the 2026 grant cycle. A full list of 2026 grant recipients is available at www.palmettopride.org/grants.
About: PalmettoPride leads statewide efforts that inspire and empower community action, build public awareness and support local solutions that reduce litter and care for South Carolina’s environment. Created as the South Carolina Governor’s Task Force on Litter by the SC General Assembly in 1997, the organization became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2001 and was renamed PalmettoPride — a public-private partnership united by a shared goal: preventing litter by shifting attitudes, habits and expectations around waste in South Carolina.
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Media Contact: Hannah Feeley
Communications Manager
mhfeeley@palmettopride.org
Office: (803) 830-4924