July 2020, Wayne, New Jersey – Brian Schwartz, a former landscaper, launched I Want To Mow Your Lawn after losing his job amid the COVID‑19 shutdown. He began with a borrowed mower and ten volunteers, offering free mowing to neighbours whose yards they could not maintain.
The idea sparked quickly; requests poured in from beyond the immediate neighbourhood, then from across New Jersey, as volunteers used a simple website to sign up. By spring 2021, the nonprofit had grown to 50 volunteers and 200 service visits, all coordinated through a privacy‑protected online portal.
Today the organization lists 2,060 active volunteers, 3,090 completed visits and 630 households served nationwide. The community includes seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities, all receiving free lawn care without a paid contract. "The volunteers changed my week," said one veteran who received mowing support in October, "and I feel less isolated."
Volunteer recruitment remains flexible: members choose individual visits, record hours, and upload before‑and‑after photos. The nonprofit screens volunteers for safety but does not employ them, positioning itself as a facilitator rather than a contractor.
In 2026, the New York Yankees highlighted the nonprofit during its HOPE week. General Manager Brian Cashman and several players joined Schwartz and volunteers in New Jersey to mow a homeowner’s yard, drawing media attention and inspiring additional donations.
Looking ahead, Schwartz plans to process 9,000 new help requests by year‑end, expanding volunteer outreach to underserved regions. The organization’s next milestone is to open a regional hub in Texas to serve the growing Southwest community.