Upcoming School Garden Grant Opportunities

Healthy Sprouts Awards
http://www.kidsgardening.com/healthysprouts.asp

To encourage the growth of these health-focused youth gardens, NGA recognizes outstanding programs through the Healthy Sprouts Awards, sponsored by Gardener's Supply Company. These awards support school andyouth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States.

Eligibility and Application Process: To be eligible for the 2009 Healthy Sprouts Awards, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2010 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and nutrition and hunger issues in the United States. This year we will present awards to 20 schools or organizations. Each program will receive: gift certificates towards the purchase of gardening materials from our sponsoring company, Gardener's Supply Company. The top 5 will each receive a certificate valued at $500; 15 more will each receive a $200 gift certificate NGA's Eat a Rainbow Kit, chock full of engaging taste education and nutrition lessons
25 packets of seeds, a literature package from NGA

Submission process: Applications are due by October 17, 2009.

Aero Garden
http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/growingkids.asp

The AeroGarden is an innovative solution for bringing gardening activities into the classroom. The AeroGrow Growing Kids Awards, sponsored by AeroGrow International, Inc., will provide 300 educators nationwide with this useful, hands-on tool to enrich and enhance the study of nutrition and life science in the classroom.

Eligibility and Application Process: This award is open to K-6 classrooms in the United States with a minimum of 15 students who plan to use indoor gardens to teach nutrition and life science.
This year 300 schools will be selected to receive an AeroGrow Growing Kids Award. Each winning program will receive:
an AeroGarden Classic valued at $150
an AeroGrow Salad Greens Seed Kit
Submission process: Applications are due by October 24, 2009.

The Home Depot - Youth Garden Grants
http://www.kidsgardening.com/ygg.asp

NGA is delighted to announce that The Home Depot returned as our Youth Garden Grants sponsor for 2010. During its long history, the Youth Garden Grants program has helped more than 1.3 million youngsters reap rewards and vital life lessons from working in gardens and habitats. Thanks to the generosity of The Home Depot, we can reach many more eager young learners.

Program Criteria: NGA awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. In evaluating grant applications, priority will be given to programs that emphasize one or more of these elements: educational focus or curricular/program integration
nutrition or plant-to-food connections, environmental awareness/education, entrepreneurship,
social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning.

Who should apply: Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners who wish to reapply may do so, but must wait one year (e.g., if you won in 2009, you can apply again in 2011) and have significantly expanded their garden programs.

Application deadline (postmark date): November 2, 2009.


Heinz Wholesome Memories Intergenerational Garden Award
http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/heinz.asp

Heinz Wholesome Memories Intergenerational Garden Award will help families grow memories together. Recognizing the power of gardens to connect individuals of all ages socially, culturally, and emotionally, the H. J. Heinz Company is proud to sponsor the Heinz Wholesome Memories Intergenerational Garden Award, designed to foster family-focused garden efforts in communities across the country. The award will provide 57 families with the tools needed to embark on a successful gardening adventure that will foster lasting intergenerational memories while growing wholesome food.

For more than 130 years, all the tomatoes in Heinz® Ketchup have been grown from Heinz® Seed by a select group of trusted farmers in California’s Central Valley. The relationships Heinz has developed with its farmers spans several generations. This has helped Heinz consistently deliver America's Favorite Ketchup to families all over the country, so that it can be part of the relationships you build at home.

Who is eligible to apply: The award is open to any adult in the United States who wishes to garden with preschool to high school-aged family member(s) and feels that gardening is a great way to build lasting memories. A focus on nutrition, sustainability, and socialization is a plus. No prior gardening experience necessary. The garden can be established and grown in any suitable outdoor setting such as home, rooftop, deck, school yard, community garden, church garden, etc.

What the award includes: Winning applicants will receive a $500 Heinz Wholesome Memories Intergenerational Award Package including:
Kids’ Tool Set, Preschool Kids’ Tool Set, Cedar Raised Container Garden, SofTouch Hand Tool Set, Picture Pockets, Large, Zinc Plant Markers, GeoBin Composter, 3 pairs Kids Work Gloves (1 of each size), Watering Can, Kangaroo Pop-Up, Veggie Garden Seed Collection, 5 Gardening Journals, Down & Dirty Activity Book, Intergenerational Gardening Tip Sheet, Heinz® Tomato Seeds

Application Deadline : Applications are due by January 10, 2010.


Mantis Awards for Community and Youth Gardens
http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/mantis-criteria.asp

Each year, Mantis presents the Mantis Awards for charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. NGA selects 25 outstanding applicants to receive Mantis tiller/cultivators.

Any nonprofit garden program may apply. In the past, winners have included schools, churches, correctional facilities, parks departments, youth camps, community gardens, and many others. These are groups turning slim resources into bountiful gardens with far-reaching benefits, from increasing their community’s access to fresh nutritious foods to educating the public about the importance of gardening in our nation’s history.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must: operate a charitable or educational program that is not for profit in the United States, not offer the tiller as a prize for fundraising (e.g., auction or raffle)

Award Packages: 25 programs will each receive a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator with border/edger and kickstand, and their choice of gas-powered 2-cycle engine or electric motor. Value: $349.00.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2010