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(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Applications will soon begin being accepted for "Plant for the Planet" grants from Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company. The grants fund qualified tree-plantings by nonprofit or government entities.

The Plant for the Planet grant program awards matching grants in amounts of $500 to $5,000 to organizations with a history of successful tree plantings in the LG&E and KU service territories.

“Since launching in 2009, more than 38,000 trees have been planted as a result of the program and we want to continue working with those that apply to help further expand tree planting efforts across Kentucky,” said Angie Evans, director of Corporate Responsibility and Community Affairs for LG&E and KU. “The application process will keep the momentum going and benefit the Bluegrass for generations to come.”

Interested parties can visit lge-ku.com/plantfortheplanet for program information and a link to the company’s electronic grant portal where they can apply. Applications will be accepted starting Wednesday, Nov. 1 and must be postmarked by Friday, Dec. 1 to be eligible for consideration. In February 2018, applicants will receive notification about the status of their proposal.

Since the grant program’s launch, plantings have occurred in a range of urban and rural settings that offer public access, including parks and nature preserves. Many successful projects have also used unique approaches to incorporate trees within other landscape settings. LG&E and KU’s service territories include 93 Kentucky counties and five in western Virginia. Qualified applicants throughout our service territories are encouraged to submit planting projects for consideration. Following company policy, only 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations are eligible for funding. Such organizations do not include neighborhood/condominium associations or religious groups.

The Plant for the Planet program is modeled after the United Nations' Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign which promotes the planting of more than one billion trees annually by individuals, communities and businesses worldwide.