TLGV is once again looking for people who care about this beautiful place we call home. TLGV will provide funds to nonprofit organizations and municipal, regional, state or federal agencies that sponsor a 2016 town-wide, park, or river cleanup in the region. Last year, 1,714 volunteers from 26 different groups removed more than 54,770 pounds of trash from our rivers, parks, and roadways!

TLGV will reimburse organizations up to $500 for expenses like publicity, cleanup supplies such as trash bags and work gloves, and food for volunteers. TLGV will also help publicize the event and work with each organization to recruit more volunteers.

Interested organizations should submit a letter to TLGV, (P.O. Box 29, Danielson, CT 06239-0029) on their organization’s letterhead, at least four weeks before the proposed event. The letter should: include basic details about the cleanup – what, when, where, and who – plus contact information, including an email address; explain what you hope to accomplish; provide a budget detailing how you will use TLGV funds; let TLGV know who will be picking up and disposing of the trash (TLGV can’t cover that cost); describe how youth – the future stewards of The Last Green Valley – will be involved in the cleanup; and include a plan for publicizing not just the event, but the results. Nonprofit organizations should also submit a copy of their 501(c) designation letter from the IRS.

TLGV reserves the right to approve or deny funds based upon the likelihood of project success and the availability of funds. Decisions will be made within two weeks of project submission. Funded organizations will be asked to sign a short agreement and to acknowledge TLGV’s funding in all publicity materials. Funded organizations will also be asked to complete and return TLGV”s “Trash Tracker” form to compile region-wide results. For more information, email LyAnn Graff or call her at  860-774-3300.