National nonprofit Green America has announced that it will award four “Green Grants” to local projects in the United States that support its mission of creating a socially just and environmentally sustainable economy. Green America will provide one grand prize of $2,500 and three first prizes of $1,000. Projects do not need to be run by nonprofits. Nominations will be accepted through May 31, 2011 at http://www.greenamerica.org/greengrants/index_form.cfm. Green America’s members and the public will then be invited to vote on the top ten nominees (as chosen by Green America staff), and the winners will be selected in July.

“Green America is looking forward to providing Green Grants for a second year to innovative green projects around the country,” says Green America Director of Corporate Responsibility, Todd Larsen. “Last year’s winners used the funds to help a community bike shop, build energy efficient homes for people in need, and start a campus recycling program. We’re looking forward to nominations from local schools, civic associations, religious groups, business owners, and anyone else who has a great green project that could use a small financial boost.”

Projects can use the Green Grant awards to support their work in any way, and will just need to report back to Green America how the grant made a difference in their work.

For more information, visit www.GreenAmerica.org.