Grant Opportunities

Community Farms Grant Sources

A grant is financial support that is provided to individuals, groups, and organizations. Finding funding through grants may seem like an overwhelming process, but it does not have to be. Below you will find online grant sources for urban agriculture projects and school garden projects; as you look through the lists, it may be useful to look at both categories, because many grantors have broad definitions of the type of programs they will fund.

America the Beautiful Fund<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nYqWYK81HJYVbyOMwoxiYPFUvtuh5wLH>
  ABF provides seeds to garden projects free-of-charge; you pay only for shipping and handling.
Deadline: NA

Captain Planet Foundation<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=EjEOdNsnWXl2p7w78d2Mu%2FFUvtuh5wLH>
  The Captain Planet Foundation is committed to supporting hands-on environmental projects for young people. The foundation provides grants from $250 to $2,500 to school and community groups.
Deadlines: March, June, Sept, Dec

Project Orange Thumb Fiskars<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zPplV07X5qlubIUsB1tHk%2FFUvtuh5wLH>®  Garden and Outdoor Living Division offers an annual grant program, Project Orange Thumb. Community garden groups can apply to receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars® garden tools and $800.00 in supplies, such as seeds and mulch. Grant recipients also receive t-shirts for garden volunteers/members. Deadline: Ongoing

The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Fund<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=epXw%2BCqY16E4mMHN6mkmQPFUvtuh5wLH>
  Provides small grants to schools and other organizations that work towards creating outdoor education areas.
Deadline: Nov. 15

National 4-H Council<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Y1mK5Y99LGIpfASC2TAfffFUvtuh5wLH>
  These grants provide opportunities for young people and adults to take action on issues critical to their lives, their families, and their communities. Youth and adults work in partnership in the design of the project, the proposal writing process, the implementation, and the evaluation of funded projects. Grants are awarded to 4-H/ Extension groups and are not available to individuals.
 Deadline: Various Ongoing Grants Available
National Gardening Association<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TbT57RsmYF7WQhkR29NMBvFUvtuh5wLH>
  Each year 400 schools and youth groups are awarded tools, seeds, garden products, and educational materials. NGA also has an online tool that will allow you to search for funding opportunities in your region. Deadline: Various Ongoing Grants Available

Profits for the Planet Program<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=8ek1lIPS1z09a2C3aEtTzPFUvtuh5wLH>
  Stonyfield Farm's Profits for the Planet Program (PFP) provides funding to efforts that affect positive and meaningful change and have measurable outcomes. In addition to funds, Stonyfield Farm also donates product to organizations. Deadline: Applications accepted throughout the year

SeaWorld/Busch Gardents/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KGyt3GdMwmX7uD9PY897Reb6bfpkTkDC>
Schools and community groups are eligible for these grants. Previous award-winning projects have tackled a wide variety of environmental problems, including but not limited to: habitat restoration, school yard beautification, energy and waste reduction, environmental education and community outreach, wildlife protection, and natural resource conservation.
Deadline: Nov 30
Seeds of Change<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ndL%2FL7dwWtCDXxgUtm%2F9H%2FFUvtuh5wLH>®
Seeds of Change® seed donation program gives organic seeds to organizations promoting learning and sustainable living through school, community and outreach-based organic gardening projects. Deadline: NA

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nbV6FtbE9GJeiIDS2GVpO%2FFUvtuh5wLH> This is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture, and awards are given to projects which actively address sustainable agriculture, including urban agriculture. Deadline: Various Ongoing Grants Available
Youth Venture<http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=tMVmHR1ViwpXTFWwQt7r4%2FFUvtuh5wLH>
Youth Venture provides seed money grants of up to $1,000 for new youth-created, youth-led, sustainable ventures that benefit the community. Youth ages 12-20 who want to start a new ongoing environmental club or organization can get guidance on how to plan, organize, and launch their venture, along with funds for start-up expenses. Visit the website to get information and start the application process. Deadline: Applications accepted throughout the year