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. Now these three funding partners 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 19th year of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation’s Community Garden Grant Program and the 11th year for the City of Columbus/Franklin County Community Garden Grant Program.
As part of this 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 using a 501c3 as a fiscal sponsor.
- Gardens must be located in Columbus or Franklin County, Ohio.
- Funding must be for a project that starts and is able to be completed during the 2021 grant cycle. 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
- The online application can be found here.
- Applications must be submitted by Friday, October 29, 2021.
- Awards will be announced by January 19, 2022.
- Reminder: Projects awarded funding for the 2021 growing season must submit a Final Report by October 29, 2021 to be considered for this year’s funding opportunity.
- Explore the Frequently Asked Questions, Review Criteria, and Parcel Summary Instructions. For other potential funding sources, explore Additional Garden Grant Opportunities and Resources.
- For general reference and application guidance, the 2019 Urban Garden Grant Workshop recording can be found here. Note: this is an old recording, and dates and some details have changed.
Staff Contacts
If you have any questions, please review the FAQ sheet first. After reviewing the FAQ, should you still have questions about the application process or general purpose of the grant, please reach out to Melissa McCool, mmccool@columbusfoundation.org.