Best Garden Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

Nonprofit organizations in Iowa operating or planning organic community gardens that feed low-income communities can receive US $3,000 to support their projects. Nature's Path Organic funds urban organic agriculture initiatives serving soup kitchens, food banks, school feeding programs, shelters, and similar efforts, with a strong emphasis on gardens founded by and serving 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.

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

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 studying in Iowa. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers offers two awards annually, plus a one-year membership, to support future cut flower growers and related graduate research.

Universities, colleges, and federal research institutions in Iowa conducting floriculture or related horticulture research can access funding through the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund, administered by American Floral Endowment. Grants support significant research and educational projects in areas like plant breeding, pathology, physiology, entomology, molecular biology, engineering, and agricultural economics tied to floriculture.

Iowa 3rd grade classrooms interested in horticulture and gardening can access funding through the Bonnie Plants Foundation’s 3rd Grade Cabbage Program, which awards US $1,000 in in-kind support to one student winner per state. Teachers, parents, and administrators may enroll eligible classes to receive free cabbage plants and participate in the statewide contest.

K–12 public, private, home, and charter schools in Iowa can receive support to start or expand hydroponic garden labs and STEM education through Green Our Planet’s HydroConnect program. Focused on school-based horticulture and gardening, this grant provides curriculum, hydroponics equipment, and coaching that may benefit garden-focused education initiatives.

Nonprofit and other tax-exempt organizations planning to turn vacant lots into gardens can apply for KidsGardening’s Lots of Compassion program, which awards US $20,000 to 10 grantees. Focused on horticulture and gardening, it prioritizes under-resourced communities in the U.S., including Iowa, serving at least fifteen participants on a vacant-lot garden site.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local government units serving the 51027 zip code in Ireton can seek funding for horticulture and gardening projects that enhance community spaces and quality of life. Siouxland Community Foundation’s Ireton Community Foundation Grant also supports related arts, civic, education, environment, health, and human services initiatives in the area.

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

Nonprofit organizations and local government units serving the 51001 zip code in Akron, Iowa can seek project funding for horticulture, gardening, parks, and community beautification efforts. With a mission to enhance quality of life, Siouxland Community Foundation supports Akron-area initiatives in environment, community development, and related garden-based programs that address local needs.

Nonprofit floral industry organizations in Iowa offering retail floral education can apply for the Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund to reduce or waive registration fees for floral industry events. Administered annually through American Floral Endowment’s educational grants process, this fund supports broader access to horticulture and gardening education opportunities, which may benefit Iowa-based garden and floriculture programs.

Iowa horticulture and gardening nonprofits with local community projects can access funding through Kubota, which offers up to US $50,000 per award for impactful hometown initiatives. 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S. may be eligible for cash plus equipment to develop gardens, parks, public spaces, and other community revitalization efforts.

Academic, governmental, industry, and 501(c)(3) researchers working on horticulture and plant science projects that benefit specialty cut flower growers in Iowa can apply for US $30,000 in ASCFG Research Foundation Grant funding. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers supports one-year research (or phases of multi-year projects), with results shared at ASCFG meetings.

Nonprofits, schools, and other organizations running youth garden programs in Iowa can receive US $500 in supplies to start or enhance educational gardens. With a mission to support youth gardening, KidsGardening provides U.S. garden programs serving at least 15 children and teens with seeds, tools, curriculum, and potential specialty container or vertical garden awards.

NGC-member garden clubs in Iowa can apply for National Garden Clubs’ Ames Tools Grant, receiving up to US $250 in in-kind garden tools for community gardens or garden therapy projects. Eligible projects run March 1–September 30, 2026 and may involve partnerships with other organizations as long as the applying club is an NGC member.

Iowa horticulture and gardening clubs that are members of National Garden Clubs can receive up to US $2,000 for community beautification and gardening projects. National Garden Clubs provides funding for public landscaping, community and school gardens, environmental practices, and horticulture or environmental education events, including joint ventures with other organizations across the U.S.

Students residing in Erie County, Ohio pursuing post-secondary horticulture, environmental science, agricultural business, or related studies can apply for the August Corso Scholarship Fund from Erie County Community Foundation. Awards support attendance at accredited nonprofit colleges, universities, or nonprofit vocational or apprenticeship programs in the U.S. and may be renewable 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

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. 

Robert Woolley Scholarship

Open to graduating seniors from Stanislaus County attending a four-year university to study horticulture.

Award Amount:

• $10,000

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Van Cott Family Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of Kermit Van Cott and his son Forrest to provide tuition assistance to a graduating Senior from one of the High Schools in Susquehanna County, with priority given to Blue Ridge, who will major in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Horticulture, Botany, Forestry, or Agriculture and who will matriculate at college or a post-secondary degree program.