Best Plant Grants in Michigan

Michigan organizations, researchers, and educators working on plant research, habitat projects, or public education in Michigan can access funding through Michigan Botanical Foundation, with awards of US $100 - US $1,500. Eligible projects include studies of native or rare plants, invasive species, restoration, and educational workshops or publications about Michigan’s flora.

Michigan botanical conservation and forestry nonprofits can access funding through the Oak Hill Fund to restore diminished native tree species via scientific research, seed orchard development, or forest land preservation projects. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations in the continental U.S., with project-specific requests preferred and project-related overhead costs supported.

About The American Chestnut Foundation:

Our mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.

Our vision is a robust eastern forest returned to its splendor.

Small Grants Program

Are you looking for funding to support your American chestnut research? External small grants offer recipients a variety of benefits such as professional development and an expanded network. Grant activities contribute to the continuous renewal and development of faculty and staff, to the education and motivation of students, and achievement of our mutual interest — restoration of the American chestnut. This is a small grants program. TACF does not ordinarily fund projects in excess of $10,000.

Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund)

TREE Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to support scientific discovery and dissemination of new knowledge and best practices in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry.

TREE Fund’s research and education programs shape industry best practices, improve workforce safety and contribute to the long-term sustainability of our communities in the following crucial ways:

• Improving the quality of nursery grown trees and overall tree survival through the development of hardier, drought- and disease-resistant species.
• Stopping diseases and pests while reducing pesticide use with the evolution of integrated pest management programs.
• Enhancing public and workforce safety with advanced tree risk assessment techniques and greater knowledge about why and how trees fail.
• Quantifying the benefits of trees which makes it easier for governments and businesses to project their return on tree care investment.
• Revolutionizing global best practices for growing strong, healthy landscape trees.
• Connecting youth with nature to promote environmental stewardship in the next generation and inspire them to consider careers in green industries.

Lucas Tree Experts Integrated Vegetation Management Endowed Research Fund

Since 1926, John Lucas Tree Expert Co. has worked with investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, railroads, and pipeline customers throughout the United States and Canada. Innovation has always been a core value, and Lucas remains committed to innovation that makes the industry safer, greener, and more efficient. The Lucas Tree Experts Integrated Vegetation Management Endowed Research Fund is a new endowment fund of Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund created to support research in Integrated Vegetation Management in the United States and Canada.

This fund program was created in 2026 to help celebrate Lucas Tree’s 100th anniversary. Lucas Tree’s anniversary marks a century of innovation, safety, and stewardship in utility vegetation management.

Projects are expected to be completed within one to three years. No project may receive more than one award from this program.

Application Requirements can be found here.

The Bureau of Land Management's Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP) aims to enhance the native seed supply chain, crucial for restoring resilient public lands. By collaborating with various partners, PCRP seeks to improve rangeland health, restore wildlife habitats, and create job opportunities. In 2026, the focus will be on local seed collections, supporting farmers entering the native seed market, and developing innovative technologies to ensure effective restoration outcomes and ecological resilience.

With a mission to support conservation-focused education, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation provides Michigan students pursuing natural resources, fish and wildlife, or forest management degrees with scholarship support. Graduating high school seniors with at least a 75 average and demonstrated outdoor sports involvement and financial need may be eligible for this award.

Students pursuing plant-related fields in Michigan can apply for the Van Cott Family Memorial Scholarship to support college or post-secondary tuition in areas like landscape architecture, environmental science, horticulture, botany, forestry, or agriculture. Focused on environmental and botanical studies, Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains invites eligible graduating seniors to seek assistance for higher education costs.

PhD students at U.S. graduate institutions conducting plant-focused research and outreach can receive US $6,000 for botanical conservation, plant science, or sustainable agriculture projects from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Grants from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens help Michigan and other U.S. researchers fund research expenses and engage in public science outreach training and activities.

Undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students in plant sciences, conservation, environmental sciences, or landscape architecture can receive scholarship support from the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Students interested in botanical conservation or related plant studies in Michigan may be eligible if they meet the residency and financial-need criteria described.

Students pursuing natural resource–related college degrees, such as botany, ecology, forestry, or soil science, may be eligible for scholarships that could support plant-focused studies. With a mission to support higher education in environmental fields, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois provides aid that Michigan botanical conservation students may also find relevant if they meet residency requirements.

Undergraduate and graduate students conducting botany, plant ecology, or other plant-focused research within the Northern California Botanists geographic range can receive US $1,500 research scholarships, even if enrolled at colleges outside Michigan. Northern California Botanists supports independent study, thesis, or dissertation projects that advance botanical conservation and plant science research.

Graduate students in biology, horticulture, or related fields conducting botanical conservation research in the U.S. can receive up to US $4,500 for work at a botanical garden. Grants from Garden Club of America help Michigan and other U.S. students study and conserve rare and endangered plants, with preference for projects on southeastern flora.

Individuals studying or conserving native orchids in North America can receive US $500 to recognize their work, including those based in Michigan. The American Orchid Society provides this Philip Keenan Award to students, amateurs, or professionals whose efforts advance the study or preservation of native orchids north of Mexico.

Undergraduate students in Michigan interested in plant science and botanical conservation can receive full support to attend the 2025 Botany conference through the Botany and Beyond: PLANTS Grants. Focused on immersive mentoring and career exploration, Botanical Society of America invites a diverse U.S. and Puerto Rico cohort to participate in talks, field trips, and networking.

The Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust Grant supports education and research in ornamental horticulture, funding projects that enhance public gardens, promote ornamental plants, and support related educational initiatives. Grants typically range up to $20,000, with a maximum of $25,000, focusing on project support rather than general operating expenses. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) public charities and similar entities worldwide, while the Trust does not fund individuals or capital campaigns.

The Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation Grant aims to support projects that promote environmental restoration, preservation, and education, with a focus on sustainable resource use and community development. This grant encourages innovative approaches that connect urban and rural settings, enhance biodiversity, and foster creativity in addressing societal challenges. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated non-profits that align with the foundation's vision. The foundation also supports small presses and periodicals that creatively address sustainability issues.

Michigan nonprofits providing nutrition education, food access, or culinary arts training programs can seek funding to expand or strengthen their work. Focused on nutrition and healthy eating, the Ann B Zekauskas Family Foundation invites 501(c)(3) organizations, including schools and community groups, to apply for support of student, family, and community food education initiatives nationwide.

Nonprofits, mission-oriented for-profits, and eligible housing entities with scalable affordable housing innovations can seek funding to expand their work, including in Michigan. Enterprise Community Partners and Wells Fargo offer five US $2,000,000 grants nationwide for proven solutions in design and construction, finance, or service delivery that increase housing affordability and access.

The TTF Advertising for the Environment Grant, established by the Temper of The Times Foundation in 1997, aims to enhance awareness of wildland conservation through marketing initiatives. This grant is exclusively available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and funds various advertising campaigns to protect native ecosystems. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate measurable impacts on conservation, rather than those focused solely on education.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups working on food system transformation and farmed animal issues in Michigan can apply for Stray Dog Institute’s grants, awarding US $2,500 - US $10,000 for operating or project support. NGOs and educational institutions addressing animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, environmental policy, or food justice may be eligible.

The Wild Ones Seeds for Education Grant Program aims to engage youth in environmental stewardship by funding projects that promote the use of native plants. This initiative supports schools and community organizations in creating native plant gardens, fostering a deeper understanding of biodiversity and sustainable practices among students. By providing necessary resources, the program encourages hands-on learning experiences for preschool through high school students, aligning with Wild Ones' mission to enhance natural landscapes.

AFL Community Grants aim to empower education, youth, and life advancement through targeted community support. The program is designed for non-profit organizations, focusing on STEM education, youth development, and the LEAP initiative for adult self-sufficiency. With grant applications opening in 2025, AFL Global seeks to make a lasting impact in communities by addressing their greatest needs and fostering growth through education and development initiatives.

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.

Nonprofit ministries carrying out evangelism, leadership development, holistic services, media outreach, stewardship, or children and youth programs can seek project funding from the Festus and Helen Stacy Foundation. Grants may benefit Michigan organizations with 501(c)(3) status, especially those serving the poor and marginalized or using Christian media and technology.

Michigan 501(c)(3) organizations working on climate and clean energy policy or climate change education can access funding through the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation. Support is available for general operations or programs that reduce fossil fuel demand, address oil and gas infrastructure, or provide scientifically accurate, action-oriented climate education for high school and college students in the U.S.

Nonprofit organizations and public institutions working on botanical conservation and broader biodiversity efforts in Michigan can access funding for private land conservation, ecosystem restoration, restorative economies, and conservation policy. Grants from Biophilia Foundation help Michigan plant-focused and environmental groups with US $5,000 - US $25,000 awards, primarily for work in the U.S. arid Southwest and Chesapeake Bay but open to broader U.S. projects.

Monarch Watch offers a Free Milkweeds Grant for habitat restoration projects aimed at supporting the monarch butterfly population. The program provides free milkweed plugs to schools and educational non-profits that demonstrate clear educational goals, long-term maintenance plans, and adequate space for the plants. With over 730,000 milkweeds distributed since 2015, this initiative plays a vital role in restoring habitats along key migration routes in the eastern and western U.S.