Best Community and School Garden Grants in Ohio

Ohio organizations and projects focused on native plant research, conservation, or education can seek funding to support work that advances native plant study and habitat protection. The Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio offers grants up to US $500, which may benefit community and school garden initiatives emphasizing native species and natural landscaping.

Summit County Master Gardeners Scholarship Fund

Established by Summit County Master Gardeners to provide scholarships to Summit County students or residents who are interested in attending an Ohio university to pursue a two- or four-year degree in horticulture, agriculture, environmental studies or closely related field. A non-traditional student currently employed in a green industry is eligible to apply as well as members and relatives of SCMG.

Amount: Varies

• $1,000 minimum

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

Undergraduate and graduate students in Ohio studying horticulture, landscape architecture, or related fields can receive up to US $2,000 for their education through the Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship. Horticultural Research Institute supports full-time students at Ohio institutions, with preference for those planning careers in the green industry, including community and school gardening work.

Students majoring in horticulture or related fields in Ohio and nearby states can receive support for education and research through this scholarship, with awards up to US $3,500. The Garden Club of America’s Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarships in Horticulture assist rising sophomores through master’s candidates enrolled at U.S. institutions in IN, KY, MI, OH, PA, or WV.

Ohio nonprofit organizations operating or planning organic community or school gardens that feed low-income communities can receive US $3,000 for their projects. Nature's Path Organic provides funding to urban organic agriculture programs managed without toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or GMOs. Eligible gardens must be in the U.S. or Canada and have secure land access.

Focused on horticulture education, American Horticulture Industry Association invites Ohio horticulture and gardening students to apply for the HortScholar Program. Eligible students at North American institutions in ornamental horticulture, floriculture, or related fields receive an all-access pass to Cultivate’25, lodging, meals, mentorship, networking, and a free one-year AmericanHort student membership.

The Hunger to Health Collaboratory (H2HC) 2025 Prizes for Innovation aim to enhance health equity for youth through innovative funding in three categories: Food and Nutrition Policy, Nutrition Education & School Food, and Indigenous Food Justice. Supported by Newman’s Own Foundation, these prizes include $100K grants for policy work and $25K grants for education and justice initiatives. Winners will participate in the H2HC Fall Summit in Boston, fostering collaborative solutions to food challenges.

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.

Ohio schools, homeschooling families, and education organizations can receive support to create hydroponic classroom gardens that enhance STEM and nutrition education. Rise Gardens provides resources for hands-on gardening, NGSS-aligned science and engineering lessons, entrepreneurship projects, and community-building activities that can strengthen community and school garden programs across the U.S.

Students in horticulture or floriculture programs interested in commercial cut flower production can receive scholarship support for their education, including those studying in Ohio. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers offers the Dave Dowling Scholarship, providing US $1,000 and a one-year ASCFG membership to two eligible students each year.

Graduate students and young faculty in floriculture at The Ohio State University can apply for American Floral Endowment’s Gus Poesch Research Fund travel grants, awarding up to US $1,500 for research or educational travel. Ohio horticulture and gardening programs, including community and school garden initiatives connected to OSU floriculture research, may benefit from this support.

Faculty and researchers at The Ohio State University working on floriculture research, teaching, or extension can apply for American Floral Endowment’s Gus Poesch Research Fund; awards Approximately US $40,000 for recruitment and floriculture projects. Projects improving horticulture and gardening practices in Ohio, including production efficiency and pest or disease management, may be supported.

Universities, colleges, and federal research institutions in Ohio 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.

Ohio 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 student winners. Teachers, parents, and administrators in eligible classes may apply to receive free cabbage plants and participate in the statewide contest.

Nonprofit and other tax-exempt organizations planning to turn vacant lots into gardens can apply for KidsGardening’s Lots of Compassion Grant, including projects in Ohio. Focused on horticulture, gardening, and community greening, KidsGardening invites under-resourced communities to seek US $20,000 to build gardens that engage at least fifteen participants.

Grassroots resident groups in Cleveland and East Cleveland can receive US $500 - US $5,000 to run community projects, including horticulture, gardening, pocket parks, and urban farms in Ohio neighborhoods. Focused on community building, Neighbor Up Action Grants from Suite 1300 Services also support arts, culture, neighboring, and senior or intergenerational initiatives.

Nonprofit floral industry organizations in Ohio offering retail floral education or events can apply for the Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund from American Floral Endowment. Grants or scholarships help reduce or cover registration fees for floral industry educational events, which may benefit community or school garden programs with a floriculture focus.

Ohio horticulture and gardening nonprofits with local community projects can access funding through Kubota for both cash and equipment support. The Kubota Hometown Proud Grant Program offers up to US $50,000 per winner (half cash, half equipment) for projects like community gardens, parks, playgrounds, and other community development and beautification efforts across the U.S.

Academic, governmental, industry, and 501(c)(3) researchers working in horticulture and plant science in Ohio can seek funding for one-year specialty cut flower research projects, with grants totaling US $30,000. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Research Foundation supports work that benefits specialty cut flower growers and encourages collaboration with growers and matching funds.

Schools, youth programs, and other organizations in Ohio and across the U.S. planning or improving gardens for at least 15 youth can receive gardening supplies through the Youth Garden Grant. With a mission to support horticulture and gardening education, KidsGardening provides seeds, tools, curriculum, and specialty container or vertical garden awards, prioritizing under-resourced, high-impact programs.

NGC-member garden clubs in Ohio can apply for National Garden Clubs’ Ames Tools Grant, receiving up to US $250 in in-kind tools for community or school garden and garden therapy projects. Eligible projects run March 1–September 30, 2026, and may be joint ventures if the applying club is an NGC member.

The Garden Grant Program by Whole Kids Foundation offers $3,000 to schools and non-profits to create or enhance edible educational gardens. This initiative connects children with food, fostering curiosity and healthy eating habits. Eligible applicants include K-12 schools and organizations that regularly engage at least ten children in gardening activities. The program emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning about food and gardening, aiming to inspire a new generation of healthy eaters.

Union County Foundation

For more than three decades, the Union County Foundation has been dedicated to serving the Union County, Ohio community as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to assist individuals and organizations with the accumulation, investment, and distribution of charitable dollars. We believe in enhancing the quality of life for all the citizens of Union County by promoting and facilitating charitable giving. Together, we can create a positive and lasting impact that will benefit our community for generations to come. Join us in our mission and be a part of something truly meaningful.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation: Union County Fund Hometown Community Garden & Greenspace Grants

Description

Residing in the Marysville community since 1868, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is deeply rooted in Union County. The corporate headquarters sits only a few miles from where the company was founded 150 years ago. Scotts Miracle-Gro has progressed from a small seed company to a leading lawn and garden care company, and it is proud to call Marysville its home.

To promote the development and maintenance of thriving community gardens and greenspaces in its hometown of Union County, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Fund offers an annual grant program to fund public greenscapes.

Applicants may request support for projects such as, but not limited to:

• Community gardens
• School gardens
• Athletic field refurbishments
• Beautification efforts
• Park restorations
• Therapeutic gardens
• Pollinator gardens
• Container gardens

Successful projects should involve neighborhood residents, demonstrate positive measurable outcomes, and meet stated objectives. Applicants will be notified by the end of December regarding the status of their application.

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.

GardenScape Professional Association/Ted Burnett Memorial Scholarship

To award scholarships to residents of the Genesee-Finger Lakes region who are students of horticulture/landscaping.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $1,000; paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

August Corso Scholarship Fund

Scholarships shall be awarded to residents of Erie County, Ohio pursuing a post-secondary education. Preference shall be given to students pursuing a degree in Horticulture, Environmental Science or Agricultural Business. Financial need is a consideration for the scholarship award.

Scholarships are available for students planning to attend an accredited nonprofit college or university, or planning to receive licensure, accreditation, or a certificate from a nonprofit vocational or apprenticeship program in the United States.

The scholarship may be renewed for a second, third, and fourth year.

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.