A number of garden-related grants are available. Hurry; some of the deadlines are coming up fast.
Planting fruit trees
Grants for planting fruit trees are available for nonprofit organizations, public or nonprofit schools, or government entities from the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation.
The grant recipients must 1) own the planting site (or have long-term arrangements to remain at the planting site), 2) be committed to caring for the trees in perpetuity, 3) have a source of irrigation nearby, 4) and be able to help coordinate local volunteers to join the Tree Planting Foundation on the day of planting.
The Tree Planting Foundation is dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to alleviate world hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities, and improve the surrounding air, soil, and water. They aim to situate orchards where the harvest will best serve communities for generations, at places such as community gardens, public schools, city and state parks, low-income neighborhoods, Native American reservations, international hunger relief sites and animal sanctuaries.
The deadlines are rolling.
Youth start veggie gardens to feed people in need
Katie’s Krops Grants offers grants to youth between the ages of 9 and 16 in the United States to start vegetable gardens with the harvest donated to feed people in need. The winners will be awarded a gift card to a garden center in their area (up to $500), support from Katie’s Krops, and a digital camera to document the garden and the harvest. Applications for all types of vegetable gardens, such as a container garden if you live in a city, or a vegetable garden located in your neighborhood or at your school, will be considered.
The deadline is Dec. 31.
Youth service projects
Youth ages 18 and younger can apply for funding for community service projects, such as turning a vacant lot into a community garden, through the Karma for Cara Foundation. Funding from $250 and $1,000 is available.
There are rolling deadlines.
Grants for teaching on herbs
The Herb Society of America offers funding for individuals, groups or small businesses to develop and deliver learning experiences to the public. Each year, the Grant Committee anticipates funding one or two grants for a total of $5,000.
The grant rewards innovative projects that enhance herbal education in school systems, in communities or in any public forum (electronic or person-to-person). It requires learning goals and a mechanism to measure the educational outcomes.
Applications are requested from educators (formal or informal teachers), persons engaged/employed in botanical or horticultural activities, museum directors, botanical or garden writers and small herbal business owners.
The mission of the Herb Society of America 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 deadline is Dec. 31.
As a former Cub Scout den leader, I applaud and appreciate the opportunities presented by Katie’s Krops Grants and Karma for Cara Foundation. Not only do they highlight the benefits and satisfaction of raising produce but they also focus on sharing the harvest with those in need. Not to mention the merit badges accrued along the way!