About School Garden Funding

Funding for school gardens occurs generally in three ways

• One time bursts, such as a grant or a capital campaign (i.e. to install or repair a garden or greenhouse)
• Ongoing annual funding, such as school or district discretionary funds, fundraising events, or sponsorships
• Teachers, staff and families donate or provide for annual needs either out of pocket or if they have an annual budget

While it is possible to fund the garden from year to year on grants, sustainability is strengthened when community fundraising mechanisms are established and operate from year to year.

In addition, funding for supplies, materials and equipment are much more accessible and common then funding for staffing. We encourage schools and school districts to share with potential funders on how adding capacity (i.e. people power) to organize and coordinate can leverage greater community investment in starting and sustaining a garden program.

Grant Opportunities

Please note that funders and funding cycles change fairly frequently, and that one should visit a funders website to double check grant deadlines, eligible expenses, requirements, and purposes. If a school is applying for a grant, please be sure to follow the District's procedures for submitting for a grant.

Minnesota Funding, Support

MN Agricultural Education Leadership Council

• More Info >>

MN Ag In The Classroom (MAITC)

• The application period for their teacher grants is typically opens from late summer and through the fall.
• More Info >>

MN Dept of Health's Statewide Health Improvement Program

The Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) supports community-driven solutions to expand opportunities for active living, healthy eating and commercial tobacco-free living. County and Tribal Public Health agencies apply for state funding, part of which supports a "SHIP Coordinator". Sometimes funding can be made available for school-based agriculture. To learn more, contact your public health department.

• More Info >>

National Funders

Annie's Foundation

• The application period opens mid to late summer (i.e. August) and remains open typically through October.
• More Info >>

Captian Planet Foundation

• supports hands-on environmental projects. Grant period typically opens in September
• More Info >>

Kidsgardening.org

• Variety of grant opportunities available, some with cash and/or donated materials
• Website also features grant opportunities from other funders for school gardens
• https://kidsgardening.org/grant-opportunities/

USDA Grants and Loans for Farm to School Efforts

• Planning grants of $25,000 for one year, Implementation Grants of up to $100,000 for 1-2 years.
• Applications open usually due by December
• http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program

Whole Kids Foundation

• In partnership with FoodCorp, Whole Kids Foundation offers a number of garden grant to support new or existing edible garden programs including a School Garden Grant, Extended Learning Garden Grant (for gardens not on school grounds), Honey Bee Grant, School Salad Bar Grant, Healthy Kids Innovation Grant, and Canadian Farm to School.
• Application period is usually in the fall
• More Info >>

* Our appreciation to Jeffers Foundation for providing information for this list.

** Long-running funding sources that seem to have stopped: Lowe's Tools for Education grants , Fiskars Garden Grants,

Fundraisers and Sponsorships