America250PA And Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Award Over $30,000 For Community Improvement Grants
(May 5, 2025) The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, today announced the ten recipients of its 2025 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grants. Grants totaling over $30,000 were awarded in support of projects that improve the community and engage volunteers. Projects could include park and cemetery improvements, revitalization efforts, plantings, painting of community assets, river sweeps, graffiti abatement and murals.
Grants up to $4,000 were available to existing America250PA partners.
The following organizations are the recipients of a 2025 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grant from America250PA and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful:
- $4,000 – Benezette Township, Elk County
- $4,000 – Towamensing Township, Carbon County
- $2,000 – Bethel Township, Lebanon County
- $3,953 – Main Street Gettysburg, Adams County
- $3,800 – Montour County Historical Society, Montour County
- $1,700 – The Roland Curtin Foundation, Centre County
- $4,000 – Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
- $3,100 – Historic Trappe, Montgomery County
- $3,800 – Shenango Township, Lawrence County
- $1,000 – York County History Center, York County
“At America250PA, we believe the strongest legacy we can leave for the Semiquincentennial is a Commonwealth that shows up for one another,” said Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA. “Volunteerism isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. For 250 years, Pennsylvanians have stepped up for each other in moments big and small. That’s the legacy we’re building on through our partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT, and PennDOT. By cleaning up our communities, we’re reminding ourselves what it means to belong to one.”
“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is thrilled to support America250PA and their impactful projects. We believe that community enhancements—whether through litter cleanups, beautification efforts, planting community gardens, or preserving natural areas—foster thriving communities. We are honored to offer National Pennsylvania Day grants, in collaboration with America250PA, to invest in the essential and commendable work being done to improve communities and public spaces across the state.” said Shannon Reiter, President, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has supported community improvement initiatives and encouraged community leadership, responsibility, and respect for the environment since 1990. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a state affiliate of Keep American Beautiful, Inc. has more than 30 years of experience in organizing volunteer-driven community improvement events. Visit keeppabeautiful.org for more information on programs or to find an event near you.
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About America250PA
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the General Assembly and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. The Commission is made up of current and past Pennsylvania leaders, celebrating the rich history and diversity of the state.
America250PA hopes to engage all citizens of the Commonwealth, from each of its 67 counties, to participate in creating a statewide celebration and bringing the Commonwealth’s history into the conversation. That shared history gives us the foundation to better understand the origins and diverse viewpoints on the challenges affecting both our Commonwealth and our nation. The Commission’s ability to communicate its vision, engage various audiences, and encourage inclusive and cohesive participation is key to a successful America250PA. The visionary framework – especially our E.P.I.C. theme of Educate, Preserve, Innovate, and Celebrate, contains the essential messaging to bring the Semiquincentennial to life across the Commonwealth.
For more information, visit www.america250pa.org.
About Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s vision is a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has worked with hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the state to pick up nearly 162 million pounds of trash from Pennsylvania’s roadways, waterways, greenways, vacant lots, forestlands and other community spaces. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s core programming focuses on litter and illegal dump prevention, cleanup, community greening, and proper waste handling and sustainable practices. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful works with many partnering organizations on the state and grassroots level to accomplish our goal of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. To learn more about Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, visit www.keeppabeautiful.org.
