Part of what makes a good community great are the green spaces for families, friends, neighbors and community members to enjoy. To help improve outdoor environments like neighborhood parks, playgrounds and other great spaces, Toro has launched “Green Spaces Makes Great Places” (http://bit.ly/GreenSpacesGreatPlaces). This second annual community grant program 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 http://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 www.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.

Please visit http://bit.ly/GreenSpacesGreatPlaces to see the complete terms for nominating and voting guidelines.

About The Toro Co.

The Toro Co. (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of innovative turf, landscape, rental and construction equipment, and  irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions. With sales of more than $2 billion in fiscal 2013, Toro’s global presence extends to more than 90 countries through strong relationships built on integrity and trust, constant innovation, and a commitment to helping customers enrich the beauty, productivity and sustainability of the land. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands to help customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, and agricultural fields. More information is available at www.toro.com.