Nonprofit groups, such as schools, churches, Scouts and youth groups are eligible for a variety of grants for gardens. Grants are available for gardens of all sorts, ranging from natural landscaping to fruit and vegetable gardens. Generally, to obtain a grant for a garden, your plans must include using the garden for some educational or community enhancing purpose.

Planning

Develop a plan for your garden. Consider how the garden will be used for your community. Perhaps it will be used to teach students about gardening. Or your garden could be used to provide healthy food options for needy families. Whatever your plans, to obtain grants for gardens, prepare a detailed purpose statement. Include who will be working in the garden and who will benefit from the produce or improved habitat. If you have someone particularly qualified overseeing your garden, make sure to mention their credentials. Organizations granting money for gardens want to know that the money they are investing is going to be used in a manner that best benefits the communities they are investing in.

Asking

Grants for gardens come from diverse sources. Small companies, such as Annie's Homegrown, as well as larger companies like Home Depot offer grants for gardens. In addition, the federal and state governments offer grant money for gardening projects. Check the guidelines of each grant and apply for all of them that fit your garden plan. Include a detailed statement of purpose with each grant application. As much as possible, tailor your requests to fit the stated objectives of the granting organizations. Grant money is available for gardens, but organizations are limited by how much money they have available for grants. Therefore, grants for gardens will often go to those who make the best case for how their garden will benefit the community.

Follow Through

Follow up on your requests for grant money for gardens. If you are turned down by an organization, foster future good will by sending them a note thanking them for considering your gardening project for a grant. If your garden is accepted for a grant, thank the organization publicly at every opportunity during your gardening project. Remember that many organizations granting funds for gardens are for-profit companies which benefit from the positive public relations their involvement can bring. When a company gives you grant money, do your best to make sure it is a mutually beneficial arrangement by prominently displaying any benefactors' logos or signs. Organizations receiving the benefits of positive community relations are more likely to continue funding your gardening project and others like it.

Source:

Annie's Homegrown: Annie's Grants for Gardens

California School Garden Network: List of Available Grants

National Gardening Association: Youth Garden Grants Program