Below you will find links to a number of grants related to garden-based education. Many garden programs have also found funding by applying for small grants from local organizations, so be sure to check in with local non-profits and small businesses in your area!
While grants are a popular and effective way to provide funding for school garden programs, they are certainly not the only way. Take a look at our Funding Your School Garden Program brief for more ideas on how to fund your school garden.
Community Grant Program through the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation
Application Deadline: September 28, 2018
The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation is pleased to announce the application for School Garden Grants is now open. The Foundation focuses on providing support for physician-led, community-based, or statewide programs to improve health through education and outreach. Recipients will be notified in December, and awards will be paid in January. School garden grants are typically $2,000. Application information can be found on the Wisconsin Medical Society Grant Application webpage. If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Ringle at elizabeth.ringle@wismed.org
GreenWorks! Grants
Application Deadline: September 30, 2018
Project Learning Tree offers GreenWorks! grants up to $1,000 to schools and youth organizations for environmental service-learning projects that link classroom learning to the real world. Students implement an action project they help design to green their school or to improve an aspect of their neighborhood’s environment. This is a great grant for anyone looking to start a school or early care and education garden!
Green Thumb Challenge
Application Deadline: September 30, 2018
Green Education Foundation and Gardener’s Supply Company have teamed up on an exciting funding opportunity for established youth garden projects nationwide! The organizations are calling on schools and youth groups to submit chronicles of their garden projects to win a $500 prize. The award is designed to support the continued sustainability of an exceptional youth garden program that has demonstrated success, and has impacted the lives of kids and their community.
The Samull Classroom Herb Garden Grant
Application Deadline: October 1, 2018
Public and private 3rd through 6th grade teachers with classes of a minimum of fifteen students are eligible. The Herb Society of America will select ten schools or classrooms to receive $200 “Seed Money” to establish an indoor or outdoor herb garden. The funds may be used for supplies such as soil, plant trays, containers, child or youth sized tools, etc.
Nature Works Everywhere Grants for K-12 Schools
Application Deadline: October 5, 2018
Nature Works Everywhere Grants for K-12 Schools, an initiative of The Nature Conservancy, supports elementary and secondary school projects that implement green infrastructure to address local environmental challenges, such as access to healthy food. The goal is to support young people who work as social innovators to help their communities through project design and implementation. The program will award a total of 50 grants of $2,000 to K-12 public and charter schools across the country.
The Garden Grant through Whole Kids Foundation & Food Corps
Deadline: October 15, 2018
The Garden Grant program created in partnership with Whole Kids Foundation and FoodCorps, provides a $2,000 monetary grant to support a new or existing edible gardens at: K-12 schools, 501(c)(3) non-profit working in partnership with a K-12 school, and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
SARE Youth Educator Grant Program
Deadline: November 15, 2018
North Central Region SARE recognizes that youth programs are a way to introduce new and exciting farming and ranching options to youth, parents, and community members. Youth Educator Grants are competitive grants for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. The program supports opportunities for youth educators to research, demonstrate, and learn more about sustainable agriculture.
Budding Botanist Grant through KidsGardening.org
Deadline: November 19, 2018
Budding Botanist is open to any Title I public or charter school in the United States. Applicants must be planning a new or expanding an existing school garden program designed to teach students about environmental sustainability and the importance of biodiversity.
Grant winners will receive a $500 curriculum and garden tool package, as well as a check for $2,500 to install or expand a school garden.organization.
2019 Youth Garden Grant through KidsGardening.org
Deadline: December 17, 2018
Any nonprofit organization, public or private school, or youth program in the United States or US Territories planning a new garden program or expanding an established one that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 3 and 18 is eligible to apply. The selection of winners is based on demonstrated program impact and sustainability. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners who wish to reapply must wait one year after receiving the award and must prove that their garden programs have been significantly expanded.
The top 5 programs will be awarded grant packages worth $2,100. Grant packages worth $500 will be awarded to 20 additional programs. In addition to the grant award packages, YGG recipients will become members of the KidsGardening Fellows Program receiving opportunities to promote their programs, network with other grant winners, seek personalized guidance from KidsGardening education specialists, and a special quarterly newsletter.
