In addition to the modest mini-grants offered by Topeka Common Ground, community gardens may be eligible to apply for funding support from other organizations and businesses. Many have specific restrictions or eligibility criteria, so please check to make sure that you are eligible before applying.
American Academy of Dermatology Shade Structure Grant
The AAD Shade Structure Grant Program awards grants of up to $8,000 to public schools and non-profit organizations for installing permanent shade structures for outdoor locations that are not protected from the sun. In addition to the grant, the AAD also provides a permanent sign for display near the shade structure.
Annie’s Grants for Gardens
Annie’s offers Grants for Gardens donations to schools and other educational programs that help build school gardens. Since 2008, they’ve directly funded more than 295 gardens, because they believe that gardens help connect kids to real food. Grants are issued annually.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education Grants
Several applicable EPA grants are offered in the area of Environmental Education.
Herb Society of America Grants for Educators
The Herb Society of America’s mission is to promote the knowledge, use and delight of herbs through educational programs, research, and sharing the experience of its members with the community. The grant rewards innovative projects that enhance herbal education in school systems, in communities, or in any public forum (electronic or person-to-person).
National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants
Several applicable NSF grants are offered.
The Stanley Smith Horticulture Trust
The Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust funds projects that seek to further ornamental horticulture via research and/or education at qualified botanical gardens and other horticultural entities.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 the Trust will also consider requests for general operating support from organizations whose activities normally are well-aligned with the Trust’s interests.
Per the Trust’s usual guidelines, the maximum grant amount awarded is $25,000, however grants normally do not exceed $20,000.
Please see the website for additional information about the Trust, its funding interests, qualifications for applicant organizations, how to apply for a grant, and deadlines.
For information, visit: https://smithht.org/
Therapeutic Garden Grants
The National Garden Bureau promotes the health and healing powers of human interaction with plants through a yearly grant program for therapeutic gardens. Sakata Seed America is committed to supporting organizations in local communities throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America, to help people live productive, healthy and enriched lives. American Meadows is a respected online retailer of wildflower seeds, perennial plants, flower bulbs and vegetable seeds in North America and their people have been helping supply successful gardener-partners since 1981.
For information visit: https://ngb.org/grant-application/
U.S. Bank Community Possible Grants – 3 cycles
U.S. Bank’s Community Possible supports efforts to create stable jobs, better homes, and vibrant communities. Grants are awarded for fund economic development initiatives tied to Work, Home, and Play.
PLAY: Application open January 1 – January 31
WORK: Application open April 1–April 30
HOME: Application open July 1–July 31 Neighborhood Stability & Revitalization
For information visit: https://www.usbank.com/community/community-possible-grant-program.aspx
Urban Agriculture Resilience Program
The United States Botanic Garden and the American Public Gardens Association are partnering to offer immediate support to established urban agriculture, community gardening, and other food-growing programs at public gardens affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Urban Agriculture Resilience Program is designed to prevent shortfalls, promote resilience, and grow capacity for established programs across our public gardens community.
KidsGardening Grants
Youth Garden Grant – 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.
Budding Botanist – Open to Title 1 public and private schools in the US, the Budding Botanist grant will help our youngest citizens learn about plants, explore their world and inspire them to take care of the life they discover in their local ecosystems.
Gro More Good Grassroots Grant – The Gro More Good Grassroots Grant presented by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. Grants will be awarded to schools and non-profit groups across the country for impactful, youth-focused garden projects.
Little Seeds Pollinator Pals Grant – Any nonprofit, school, or youth program that serves at least 15 kids ages 2-14, and is building or expanding a pollinator garden or habitat to teach about the importance of pollinators.
CaptainPlanet Foundation Grants – Grants to support high-quality, solution-based programs that embrace STEM learning and empower youth to become local & global environmental change-makers.
Other Grants
American Heart Association Teaching Gardens – The American Heart Association works with schools to find local sponsors to help fund the installation of raised bed gardens in schools.
Annie’s Garden Funder™ on CrowdRise – Annie’s Garden Funder is a tool to help schools set up a fundraiser through CrowdRise to fund school garden programs.
Annie’s Grants for Gardens – Annie’s Grants support new and existing school garden programs.
The Bee Cause Grant – This grant provides honey bee observation hives to schools and receives requests on a rolling basis.
Big Green – Big Green offers funding for low-income schools to install Learning Gardens in targeted locations. A list of school districts eligible to apply can be found on their website.
Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program – Bonnie’s provides free mega-cabbage plants to 3rd grade teachers who want to participate. Students grow the cabbages and submit pictures and measurements of their harvest to be considered for a $1,000 scholarship.