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.
Annie’s Grants for School Gardens
Deadline: November 1, 2018
Annie’s offers grants to K-12 school gardens that connect children directly to real food. Funds can be used to buy gardening tools, raised beds, seeds, or other supplies for your edible school garden.
The following types of schools and organizations in the USA are eligible to apply:
- Public schools
- Public charter schools
- Private schools with 501c3 non-profit status
- Private charter schools 501c3 non-profit status (US)
- 501c3 or charity non-profit organizations supporting a garden at a public or a non-profit private school
- School districts supporting a garden at a public or a non-profit private school
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.
National Head Start Association Garden Grants Initiative
Deadline: November 15, 2018
The National Head Start Association and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation have launched a new multi-year Garden Grants Initiative, which seeks to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to more Head Start children and families, increasing healthy food access and fostering a lifelong love of gardening. Grant recipients will receive $5,000, plus a garden kit, to create or expand a garden in their community. Schools, community action programs, non-profits, hospitals, community centers and inter-generational groups that host Head Start programs are eligible to apply.
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.
USDA Farm to School Grant
Deadline: December 4, 2018
Grants are designed to expand farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. Due to additional funding made available to the Farm to School Grant Program, the Office of Community Food Systems seeks to award approximately $7.5M in fiscal year 2019 funding.
Schools and school districts, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, small and medium-sized agricultural producers or groups of small to medium-sized agricultural producers, and non-profit organizations. Please see Additional Information on Eligibility in the RFA for more details.
You can learn more at the two-part webinar series on October 16 and 17: “Getting Familiar with the Farm to School RFA” and “Getting Your Grant Package Together”. These webinars will review the important details of the 2019 Farm to School Grants and walk candidates through the application process. Learn about the webinars and register here.
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.
