Lawn Care for Cleaner Air Community Equipment Grant Program

The Lawn Care for Cleaner Air Community Equipment Grant Program (Grant) awards a package of professional-powered, electric lawn equipment to a local non-profit organization. The package of equipment includes an electric mower, trimmer, blower, and extra rechargeable battery that powers all three tools. 

In addition to providing brand-new equipment to meet the maintenance needs of a local non-profit, the Grant also aims to expand and encourage the usage of electric-powered lawn equipment.  

The next round of applications will open later this fall. An example of the application form can be found below. 

Example of Application Form

For an organization to be eligible to be selected, it must replace gas-powered equipment and use the equipment to maintain a safe and healthy grounds. Applicants are judged on a few criteria, including their desire and need for electric-powered equipment, as well as their commitment to sustainability. Those located in Environmental Justice areas (defined by the Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency) receive special consideration, but all non-profit organizations (excluding governmental agencies) located in Jefferson County, KY that meet the requirements are encouraged to apply.

The Grant is an extension of APCD’s Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program, which incentivizes the purchase and use of electric-powered lawn equipment by offering rebates to Louisville residents and businesses when they purchase eligible equipment, and even larger rebates to those that also recycle their old gas-powered equipment.

There are over 71,000 mowable acres of land in Louisville, and approximately 20.5 million pounds of air pollution is produced each year operating gas-powered equipment to maintain that land. This includes some 720,800 pounds of volatile organic compounds and 34,500 pounds of nitrous oxides, both of which are principal contributors to the formation of ground level ozone, one of Louisville’s most pervasive air pollutants. 

The use of electric-powered lawn equipment reduces these emissions and improves local air quality. The equipment is especially beneficial for those operating it and anyone in close proximity, as they are not directly inhaling pollution created by gas-powered equipment.

If you have questions or need assistance please email us through this form or call us at (502) 574-6000. You can find full details on eligibility below. 
 

Eligibility Guidelines 

• Examples of non-profits eligible for consideration include Community-based organizations, Environmental Justice organizations, Housing advocates, Educational groups, Business and job-training organizations, and Faith-based entities

• Applicant must be based in Louisville/Jefferson County. 

• Equipment must be used at named location(s) for the purpose of maintaining safe and healthy grounds while decreasing air pollution from maintenance activities. 

• Equipment may not be returned to vendor, sold, or used for any other purpose than maintaining property by the selected entity. 

• Applicant must be replacing the use of gas-powered equipment currently in use for maintaining the property/properties referenced in this application. 

• Grant award recipient will be required to report back to APCD on their experience using new equipment.  

• Grant applicants located in Environmental Justice areas will receive special consideration (see page 14 of KIPDA’s Environmental Justice Resource Document) 
   

Selection Criteria  

Grant recipients will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Demonstration of need for new, electric-powered equipment for maintenance and health impacts.

• Demonstration of commitment to sustainability.

• Location. Organizations located and/or maintaining property in Environmental Justice Areas defined by KIPDA will be given special consideration (see page 14 of KIPDA’s Environmental Justice Resource Document). However, any organization located in Jefferson County, KY that meets all other standards of eligibility is encouraged to apply and can still receive the grant award based on the strength of their application.
   

Past Recipients

2022 (Spring) - Waterfront Botanical Gardens

2022 (Summer) - West End School

2023 - YouthBuild Louisville