Graffiti Prevention Grant Awards Presented to Several Local Organizations

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, graffiti contributes to lost revenue associated with reduced ridership on transit systems, reduced retail sales, and declines in the value of surrounding residential and commercial property. In an effort to combat graffiti vandalism, The Sherwin-Williams Company began its partnership with Keep America Beautiful (KAB) on the Graffiti Hurts program in 1997.

Criteria Used to Determine the Winner
KAB announced the winners of the 2013 Graffiti Hurts Grant Program. This past year, KAB provided four $2,500 cash grants as well as two $2,500 paint supply certificates from Sherwin-Williams. Q-Star also provided a FlashCAM, valued at $6,995, to one deserving recipient. The FlashCAM is a deterrent system effective in preventing illegal trespassing during hours it most often occurs.

The Graffiti Hurts Grant applicants are judged on five major criteria: (1) the statement of need and description of purpose for the proposed project; (2) how the project responds to a local graffiti vandalism problem; (3) partnerships and community involvement; (4) metrics for measuring success and project sustainability; and (5) public education elements and communication plan.

Each application is reviewed by the Graffiti Hurts Advisory Panel of 13 members, including KAB affiliates, law enforcement and graffiti abatement officers, city managers, and experts in the graffiti vandalism field. Applicants are then ranked based on their scores and population category to determine the awardees.

“The recipients of this year’s Graffiti Hurts Grant Program Awards reinforce how volunteer engagement can help mitigate damage that can be caused by graffiti vandalism,” said Becky Lyons, chief operating officer of Keep America Beautiful. “We’re very grateful to The Sherwin-Williams Company for its ongoing support of the Graffiti Hurts program, which provides communities with valuable tools and resources to abate graffiti.”

Partnership With Sherwin-Williams
Responding to the blight of graffiti vandalism, the Graffiti Hurts program was developed in 1996 through a partnership between Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s largest nonprofit that builds and sustains vibrant communities, and The Sherwin-Williams Company, maker of Krylon paint. The Graffiti Hurts Grant Program was initiated in 2007. As the official sponsor of the program, Sherwin-Williams provides funding and product donations for the program. The funding and paint product certificates enable the grant recipients to successfully carry out graffiti-abatement practices in their local communities.

Members of the Sherwin-Williams company sit on the Graffiti Hurts Advisory Team, which provides expert support to the program manager and those interested in graffiti prevention. “The Graffiti Hurts Grant Program augments the power of local partnerships, volunteerism, and community engagement in beautifying communities while eradicating blight,” said Ian L. Gresham, vice president of marketing, Diversified Brands Division, The Sherwin-Williams Company. “Sherwin-Williams is proud to be a supporter of Graffiti Hurts and commends the vision of this year’s award-winning local initiatives.”

Award Recipients
The recipients for the $2,500 cash grant were:
• Population >250,000: Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful, Riverside, Calif.
• Population 75,000–250,000: City of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, La.
• Population <75,000: Coastal Carolina University, Conway, S.C., and Keep Hammond Beautiful, Hammond, La.

The recipients for the $2,500 Sherwin-Williams paint supply certificate were:
• Population >75,000: Keep Las Vegas Beautiful, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Population 75,000–250,000: Keep Alachua County Beautiful, Gainesville, Fla.

The recipient of the Q-Star FlashCAM was:
• Eight Mile Boulevard Association, Detroit, Mich.

For more information about Graffiti Hurts and its resources to help communities prevent graffiti, contact: Graffiti Hurts, www.graffitihurts.org, [email protected]