Can’d Aid, in partnership with The Ball Foundation, announced the recipients of its 2025-26 Crush It Crusade grant program, which is dedicated to helping communities embrace infinitely recyclable aluminum and establish effective recycling programs.
“The recipients of the 2025-2026 Crush It Crusade grants represent grassroots, community-driven organizations across the country,” says Diana Hicks, executive director of Can’d Aid. “From rural communities to urban city centers, we partner with organizations who are in tune with the unique needs of their communities to maximize the local impact.”
The recipients of Can’d Aid’s 2025-26 Crush It Crusade grants are:
- Cloud City Conservation Center (Leadville, Colo.) – to help elevate zero waste and recycling at major mountain top events including The Leadville Race Series and Leadville Boom Days.
- Western Resilience Center (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) – to help heat up recycling efforts across Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club events including Winter Carnival.
- Ocean Fest (Surf City, N.C.) – to help wave in stronger coastline zero waste and recycling engagement at OysterFest and OysterPalooza.
- Clean Memphis (Memphis, Tenn.) – to help scale city-wide event recycling resources of the Green Gatherings Toolkit and Trash Talk Workshops.
- Visit Johnson City Foundation (Johnson City, Tenn.) – to support peak zero waste and recycling efforts for Meet the Mountains Festival and Beautification Day.
- City of Corpus Christi, Solid Waste Services (Corpus Cristi, Texas) – to help kick up recycling engagement at community events including Bucs Day Parade and Earth Day Bay Day.
- SSF Sisters Folk Fest Presents (Sisters, Ore.) – to expand lively zero waste and recycling progress at Sisters Folk Fest and Big Ponderoo.
- Supernova International (Hampton, Va.) – to help amp-up event recycling resources for the Supernova International Ska Music Festival.
- Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society (West Tisbury, Mass.) – to help cultivate stronger zero waste and recycling engagement across island events including Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair, Harvest Fest and Barn Raisers Ball.
- Zero Waste Event Productions (The Plains, Ohio) – to help ignite innovation and capacity building for zero waste event services delivery for more than 20 large, marquee multi-day music events across the country.
Over 11 years, Can’d Aid’s Crush It Crusade has funded more than 120 community organizations, municipalities, parks and festivals across 35 states. Grants are used to launch or expand existing community recycling programs. Through education, engagement, training and collection equipment, the Crush It Crusade is building a nationwide coalition of volunteer-based, community-driven organizations.
Since its inception, the Crush It Crusade has reached more than 3.3 million people, trained more than 11,500 individuals in zero waste practices and recycled more than 1,200 tons of aluminum. From libraries and schools to breweries and gardens, the program has empowered communities to take action and make a difference.
The 2025-26 cohort of the Crush It Crusade will connect throughout the year to exchange best practices, navigate challenges and build community. More than just a grant, the Crush It Crusade is building a network of local champions nationwide. Powered by Can’d Aid, the national organization brings together these standout leaders to maximize their hyper-local impact, including at events and festivals.
“Because county and city recycling and waste management processes vary so widely from one place to another, recycling and zero-waste movements are de-centralized, with community leaders stepping up to organize often with little or no public funding,” Hicks says. “We are proud to connect and provide support to such a diverse group of organizations who are making a difference.”
At its core, Can’d Aid’s Crush It Crusade is about more than recycling. It’s about building a movement—one that’s people-powered, community-driven and relentlessly optimistic. With the continued support of sponsors like The Ball Foundation, Can’d Aid is proving that small actions can lead to big change.
