Toro recently announced that they will commit $15,000 in grants for a community program to help beautify and maintain public green spaces
across the U.S.

Recognizing that part of what makes a good community great are its green spaces, and to help improve these
outdoor environments like neighborhood parks and playgrounds, Toro has launched its second annual community grant program.

Once again titled "Green Spaces Makes Great Places" this initiative will award grants totaling $15,000 to communities and non-profits to improve landscapes across America.

"Every day, we work to help customers enrich the beauty, productivity and sustainability of their outdoor environments," said Judson McNeil, manager of Toro Giving. "We're looking for the public's help in identifying and selecting worthy organizations that show commitment to creating great green spaces enjoyed by their community."

Toro is asking the public to nominate non-profit organizations – 501(c)(3) or government entities like state or city park and recreation divisions, conservation divisions, and public educational entities – that are doing great work to beautify and maintain green spaces. Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103 won top prize in the last "Green Spaces Make Great Places" grant program and used their $7,000 grant to renovate the landscape and hardscape surrounding the playground at Laura B. Sprague Elementary School in Lincolnshire, IL.

Online entries will be accepted through October 5, 2014 at bit.ly/GreenSpacesGreatPlaces. At the conclusion of the nomination period, a panel of Toro representatives will evaluate and select four finalists to create (and submit by Oct. 26, 2014) a brief video further detailing their organization's mission. The grant awards will be determined by a public vote from Oct. 31, 2014 through Nov. 21, 2014 at facebook.com/toro.yard. The first-place organization (earning the most votes) will receive $7,000, the second-place organization will be awarded $4,000, and the remaining two organizations will be given $2,000 each. Winners will be announced Nov. 26, 2014.