Urban Gardening Grant
With support from Franklin Park Conservatory
and the Columbus & Franklin County Local Food Action Plan
About This Grant
Central Ohio has become a thriving hub for community gardening and urban agriculture. The number of community gardens in the Columbus area has grown from a dozen to hundreds over the past 20 years, bringing numerous benefits to our neighborhoods and residents.
In the past, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, The City of Columbus, and Franklin County have offered separate grant programs annually to further the development of community gardens and greenspaces. For the 2020 growing season, these three funding partners will utilize one application and review process to maximize funding and material resources to gardens within the City of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio. This growing season marks the 18th year of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation’s Community Garden Grant Program and the 10th year for the City of Columbus/Franklin County Community Garden Grant Program.
As part of this new process, gardeners may apply for funding and in-kind product donations on a yearly basis. Gardeners may request up to $3,000 in monetary funding for supplies and/or contractual services. Ongoing operational or personnel costs are not allowable expenses. Grant awards may call for additional requirements and reporting to the granting agencies. Partial grants may be awarded, including funding and in-kind product donations compliments of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.
Grant Purpose
Recognizing the many benefits of community gardens, the City of Columbus, Franklin County, and The ScottsMiracle-Gro Foundation have partnered to provide financial and material resources to organizations who aim to re-purpose underused land to create, continue, or expand community gardens and greenspaces for the purpose of:
- Increasing healthy, affordable and local food access and education, particularly for gardens that benefit people in low to moderate income neighborhoods
- Connecting individuals to the life-enhancing benefits of community gardens and greenspaces, including health and wellness, therapeutic, environmental, community engagement, community building with people of various cultures and backgrounds, and beautification
- Bolstering community pride
Eligibility
Applicants may request support for community gardens, nontraditional gardens, or greenspaces including:
- Produce for farmers’ markets
- School gardens
- Pollinator gardens
- Beautification efforts
Funding and/or in-kind support may be awarded to new and existing gardens and greenspaces. Successful garden projects should engage neighborhood residents, demonstrate positive measurable outcomes, and meet stated objectives.
- The fund welcomes applications from organizations that are recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or those that have a fiscal sponsor.
- Gardens must be located in Columbus or Franklin County, Ohio.
- Funding must be for a project beginning in 2020, and grant requests may not exceed $3,000.
- A portion of each grant award may be in the form of an in-kind contribution from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.
Grant Application Process
- Access the application by clicking here. You must be logged in to the website to submit the application. If you do not have a login, please register here. Access any saved, in-progress applications from your account dashboard.
- Before beginning your application, please review the Frequently Asked Questions, Review Criteria, and Parcel Summary Instructions. For other potential funding sources, explore Additional Garden Grant Opportunities and Resources.
- For detailed instructions, view a recording of the Urban Gardening Grant information session here.
- Applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.
- Awards will be announced by January 17, 2020.
- Projects awarded funding must submit a Final Report by August 31, 2020.
Staff Contacts
Questions about the online application system, final report status, and grant award agreements can be directed to Hailey Stroup.
Questions about the project's purpose, scope, and fit for this program can be directed to Nicole Reisman at nmreisman@columbus.gov or by phone at 614-645-6408.