Best Community and School Garden Grants in Iowa

Nonprofit organizations in Iowa operating or planning organic community gardens that feed low-income communities can receive US $3,000 for urban agriculture projects. Nature's Path Organic provides U.S. and Canadian gardens with support to grow food for soup kitchens, food banks, schools, shelters, and similar programs, with priority for underserved or underrepresented communities.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Recent Retirees

Retirees of Regions and its affiliated companies are eligible for the Matching Gift Program for up to 5 years after retirement (the gift date must be within the first 5 years of retirement). Regions will match donations of $25 or more, up to a total of $1,000 per year per retiree.

The Regions Community Affairs team will contact the organization on your behalf to verify the gift and review eligibility.

The Garden Club of Houston, established in 1924, promotes gardening and environmental conservation through various community initiatives. Their funding supports nonprofit organizations and government entities, focusing on projects that enhance public landscapes, educational resources, and community gardens. Grants are not awarded for operating funds or endowments, with preference given to projects within the greater Houston area. This commitment to civic improvement underscores their mission to foster a love of gardening and environmental stewardship.

The Rise for Education Grant Program offers funding for hydroponic classroom gardens that enhance STEM education and nutrition. This initiative encourages hands-on learning, integrating STEM and arts through practical gardening projects. Eligible applicants include schools, homeschooling families, and educational organizations. The program fosters community building and entrepreneurship via activities like Farmer's Markets, while boosting student engagement and developing essential skills. By implementing this program, educators can create an engaging and interactive learning environment year-round.

Students in horticulture or floriculture programs planning careers in commercial cut flower production can receive US $1,000 scholarships for education, including those in Iowa. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers offers two annual awards plus a one-year membership, which may benefit students involved in community or school garden-related studies or projects.

Universities, colleges, and federal research institutions in Iowa conducting floriculture or related horticulture research can access funding through American Floral Endowment’s Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund. Grants support significant research and educational projects, including equipment tied to a research plan, with annual awards eligible for renewal based on progress and continued need.

Iowa 3rd grade classrooms interested in horticulture and school gardening can access funding through the Bonnie Plants Foundation’s 3rd Grade Cabbage Program, which provides US $1,000 in in-kind support to one student winner per state. Teachers, parents, and administrators may enroll eligible classes as part of this national vegetable gardening initiative.

Public, private, home, and charter schools in Iowa can receive support to launch or expand classroom hydroponic gardens and STEM programs. Focused on STEM and environmental education, Green Our Planet invites schools to apply for its HydroConnect program, which includes hydroponics equipment, K–12 curricula, teacher community access, and virtual coaching.

Nonprofit and other tax-exempt organizations planning community or school-style gardens in vacant lots can apply for KidsGardening’s Lots of Compassion Grant, including projects in Iowa. Focused on horticulture and gardening, this program awards US $20,000 to 10 grantees to transform underused urban spaces while engaging at least fifteen participants from under-resourced communities.

Nonprofit organizations and local government units serving the 51027 zip code in Iowa can access funding from Siouxland Community Foundation for projects in arts and culture, civic improvement, education, environment, health, and human services. Community and school garden and other horticulture and gardening initiatives in Ireton may be eligible if they meet these charitable priorities.

Nonprofit organizations and local government units serving the 51023 zip code can seek project funding for horticulture, gardening, parks, and broader community programs in Iowa. Siouxland Community Foundation’s Hawarden Community Foundation Grant supports arts and culture, civic improvements, education, environment, health, and human services initiatives that enhance quality of life and community pride.

With a mission to strengthen community life, nonprofits and local government units in the 51001 zip code can seek Siouxland Community Foundation support for horticulture and gardening, parks, and community beautification projects. Programs in Akron, Iowa that enhance gardens, green spaces, or related educational activities may be strong candidates.

Nonprofit floral industry organizations in Iowa and across the U.S. can apply for American Floral Endowment’s Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund to support retail floral education events. Funding provides reduced or free registration fees for retail florists through eligible educational programs, with awards administered annually through AFE’s Educational Grants process.

Iowa horticulture and gardening nonprofits with local community projects can access funding through Kubota for community development, parks, and public space improvements. This national program awards up to US $50,000 per 501(c)(3) in combined cash and equipment for community-led projects, which may include community or school gardens and related green spaces.

Academic, governmental, industry, and 501(c)(3) researchers working on horticulture and gardening projects in Iowa can seek funding for one-year specialty cut flower research benefiting growers. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers supports U.S. projects with one or more grants totaling US $30,000, encouraging collaboration with growers and presentation of results at ASCFG events.

With a mission to support youth horticulture and gardening, KidsGardening provides Iowa community and school garden programs with gardening supplies and US $500. Any organization in the U.S. or territories serving at least 15 youth ages 0–18 through a new or existing garden may be eligible, with priority for under-resourced, high-impact programs.

NGC member garden clubs in Iowa and across the U.S. can apply for National Garden Clubs’ Ames Tools Grant, offering up to US $250 in in-kind tools for horticulture and gardening projects. Eligible community or school garden and garden therapy projects scheduled March 1–September 30, 2026, may benefit, including joint ventures where the applying club is an NGC member.

The O’Brien County Community Foundation Grant supports charitable purposes through grants to nonprofit organizations and local government units serving O’Brien County, Iowa. This fund aims to address community needs in areas such as arts, education, health, and human services. By fostering permanent charitable giving, the foundation enhances the quality of life for current and future generations, ensuring that diverse community programs receive necessary funding to thrive.

About Us

Some say natural is the new normal – but at Sprouts, there’s nothing new about natural foods! Back in 2002, we opened our first store in an effort to make natural foods accessible to everyone. Up until then, grocers offering fresh, organic choices were either too expensive to shop or too hard to find. We wanted to be different! No more weaving through a maze of narrow aisles without anyone offering to help. No more ingredient lists featuring 40 unpronounceable chemicals. And most of all, no more spending an entire paycheck for food from the honest effort of a farmer – not a factory.

To us, being different is good!

People thought we were crazy when we wouldn’t sell the country’s top-selling sodas, snacks and candy. But we believed that eating clean and living healthy was more than just a trend. At Sprouts, it’s our passion. And we knew that by focusing on farm-fresh produce and other healthy, affordable items, we could create a grocery experience where you didn’t have to be wealthy to eat healthy!

So think of Sprouts as all of the very best parts of a real farmers market under one roof, open every day of the week. With our commitment to value in every department, and knowledgeable and friendly team members, we’re confident that once you shop Sprouts you’ll think different is good too.

Today we have grown to more than 380 stores with approximately 31,000 team members. It’s these individuals who are the key to our success. They’re the ones who put good at the heart of everything we do at Sprouts … every day, in every community, with every guest.

Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation: Event Sponsorship

Thank you for considering Sprouts to support your organization. We value the opportunity to partner with local nonprofit organizations in the communities where our stores operate and are happy to lend a hand when we can.

Request Guidelines

Every day, Sprouts receives numerous donation and sponsorship requests. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we regret we cannot approve every request.

Iowa horticulture and gardening students can access funding through Rochester Area Community Foundation’s GardenScape Professional Association/Ted Burnett Memorial Scholarship, which awards US $1,000 for higher education expenses. Eligible applicants must study floriculture, horticulture, nursery management, landscape design, or landscape architecture and reside in specific Genesee-Finger Lakes region counties.

Erie County, Ohio students pursuing post-secondary education in fields like horticulture, environmental science, or agricultural business can apply for the Erie County Community Foundation’s August Corso Scholarship Fund. Awards support study at accredited nonprofit colleges, universities, or nonprofit vocational and apprenticeship programs in the U.S. and may be renewable for up to four years.

The Hagerstown Garden Club Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, supports Washington County residents pursuing education in horticulture. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors and current college students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This scholarship honors the legacy of the Hagerstown Garden Club and is part of a broader initiative to enhance community life through educational opportunities, fostering both personal and professional growth in the horticultural field.

Our Mission

KidsGardening creates opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder.

We want every child to experience the unique transformation that occurs when they spend time caring for a garden, be it outside, in a classroom, or in a cup on the kitchen windowsill. Since 1982, KidsGardening has served as a premier support provider for youth garden programs nationwide.

We support educators and families with grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant

In celebration of Miracle-Gro’s 75th anniversary, Miracle-Gro and KidsGardening are partnering to fund 75 intergenerational youth garden grants in 2026.

Intergenerational gardens provide opportunities for older gardeners to pass along traditions, knowledge, and skills to the next generation or share the experience of developing skills if new to gardening. In turn, young people bring their curiosity, wonder, and contagious enthusiasm for learning and life, exciting everyone involved in the growing process.

The 2026 Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant is designed to support gardens that intentionally bring children and older adults together through shared gardening experiences.

Funding Priorities

The selection of winners is prioritized based on demonstrated need and program impact. KidsGardening considers a variety of factors when determining needs, including:

• Socioeconomic & Sociodemographic Factors: How does the program exist within or engage a community that has been systematically denied resources, whether physical assets and money or representative leadership and community services? Organizations affected by multiple socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors are given priority.

• Program Funding and Support: Does an organization have access to consistent, substantial monetary support or prior grant funding? Or are pre-existing resources (financial or otherwise) limited? Organizations experiencing the latter are given priority.

• Impact: Will grant funding dramatically expand learning opportunities for program participants? Does the intended impact reflect the needs of the community? Organizations working with more than 50 youth will be given priority.

Award Packages

Grantees will receive:

• A $500 cash award check
• A $250 coupon to purchase essential gardening supplies from ScottsMiracleGro.com

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Peter and Huberdina Weller Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student from a high school within the greater Community Foundation service area
• Enrolling/enrolled at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Intention to pursue educational opportunities and a career in horticulture or the biological sciences with an emphasis on botany
• All other qualifications being equal, tie-breaking consideration will be given to students of color
• Previous recipients of the award are encouraged to reapply.

The West Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association Scholarship, established in 2001, supports students from Ottawa, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon, or Allegan County pursuing careers in horticulture or the green industry. Administered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, awards consider financial need and academic achievement. Applicants, including high school seniors and college students, must submit transcripts and additional required documents. This scholarship aims to foster education and partnerships within West Michigan's green industry.

Stanislaus Community Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals. We believe that by investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter future for Stanislaus. 

Bob Boggeri Farms Fund

Open to students planning to pursue a degree in Ag or Horticulture. Must be a FFA member and demonstrate financial need. Preference given to students from Hughson.

Award Amount:

• $1,000