Best Plant Grants in Michigan

The Cooperative Agreement with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU aims to enhance climate adaptation through research funded by the USGS. This initiative focuses on managing Midwest prairies, combating invasive species, and improving habitat for wildlife while ensuring water security and resilience against climate impacts. By utilizing a comprehensive database from the Prairie Reconstruction Initiative, the project seeks effective management strategies to support decision-making for resource managers, thereby addressing critical environmental challenges.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our Mission and Vision

The Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation exists to foster innovative sustainability initiatives that make a positive impact on our planet. We want to find solutions to the complex challenges facing our world today.

Our vision is to facilitate positive action toward sustainable and innovative solutions in agricultural and environmental sectors that reduce carbon footprints and minimize risk for our communities.

Grant Programs

Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation administers projects directly funded by donors that help reduce carbon footprints through carbon positive practices and emission offsetting. The foundation holds open application periods for projects in the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and Canada that focus on reducing environmental risk through regenerative agricultural practices, habitat restoration and using natural energy sources to make our communities more sustainable.

Reducing Carbon Footprints

The foundation supports projects that work to reduce carbon footprints through the following initiatives.

Habitat Reclamation

• Restoration of habitats creates spaces for native flora and fauna and microorganisms to survive. Natural landscapes are integral to functioning ecosystems and increasing biodiversity, not to mention creating habitats for pollinator species like bees and butterflies that we so desperately need for agricultural success.

Regenerative Agriculture

• Regenerative agricultural practices have a far-reaching impact on the industry and our lives. We aim to reduce carbon emissions by fostering projects that innovate row crop sustainability and dairy, beef, pork and poultry operations to create practices that are sustainable for years to come.

Renewable Energy

• We care about carbon positive practices that harness renewable resources like solar, wind and biomass for improved efficiencies and overall reduction in use. Organic matter often sourced from agricultural production, garbage and tree pruning can be converted to energy in various ways, recycling it back into the agricultural operation that created it or fueling our communities.

Soil

• Soil sequestering practices have wide-reaching benefits like restoring and building organic matter in the soil and increasing biodiversity. It boosts water infiltration and retention and reduces erosion. Through practices like no till, applying organic matter like manure and biochar, and planting cover crops, we improve soil health as well as take CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Tree Planting

• Planting trees is a simple act that makes a huge impact in our urban, suburban and rural communities. They provide shade, release oxygen and improve air quality, improve soil quality and biodiversity, all of which contributes to offsetting carbon emissions.  

• Water
• We want to find ways to protect and restore the integrity of our water resources. We aim to fund projects focused on practices that create efficiencies and reduce the agricultural production impact on water quality and benefit our communities by conserving one of our most important natural resources. 

John Harsch Regenerative Agriculture Grant

Funding for projects adopting best regenerative agricultural management practices that impact one or several of these areas:

• Improve water quality
• Reduce soil erosion
• Increase soil health index
• Reduce synthetic fertilizer use
• Increase effective manure use as a fertilizer
• Increase biodiversity
• Reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions

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.

Nonprofits, researchers, and other experienced conservationists in Michigan can seek funding for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and collaborative conservation projects through W.L. Gore’s SITKA Ecosystem Grants, with typical awards of US $3,000 - US $20,000. Plant- and habitat-focused projects that nurture natural systems or support outdoor access and stewardship may be invited to apply.

The Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Corridor Community Grants, provided by Keep America Beautiful, aim to empower communities to revitalize and beautify MLK corridors across the U.S. These grants support various projects, including murals, community gardens, and cleanup efforts, contributing to the initiative's goal of beautifying 25,000 communities by 2026. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, local governments, and community organizations, with a focus on sustainable impacts and local engagement.

Community-based organizations that are Keep America Beautiful affiliates in Michigan can use these grants to support litter cleanups, plant trees and gardens, enhance public spaces with art, and restore trails and playgrounds. With a mission to improve community environments, Keep America Beautiful provides affiliates with cleanup kits and up to US $5,000 to expand local impact.

HCLTech Grant Edition II focuses on impactful climate action by investing $5 million over five years to support NGOs in the Americas. This initiative aims to enhance sustainable projects that align with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a history of significant contributions in India, HCLTech is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 and fostering innovative solutions to address pressing climate challenges. The grant encourages collaboration and aims to transform communities through effective climate action.

The Ash Grove Charitable Foundation Grant supports public charities with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on capital projects that enhance community life in states where Ash Grove operates. With a commitment to environmental sustainability, education, and human services, the Foundation prioritizes funding for renovation and construction projects. Grants typically reach up to $25,000, aiming to foster better living standards and support local initiatives that are vital for community growth and resilience.

The Regenerative Agriculture Foundation Grant supports organizations that promote regenerative practices, emphasizing the value of people, plants, animals, and the planet. With a focus on BIPOC-led initiatives, the foundation encourages systemic change in agricultural systems through collaborative funding. Grants are available to U.S.-based organizations that align with RAF's vision and engage in transformative efforts. The competitive grantmaking process is by invitation only, ensuring targeted support for impactful projects.

The KidsGardening Youth Garden Grant supports organizations in the U.S. or U.S. Territories that aim to enhance youth gardening programs. With a focus on underserved communities, the grant provides resources to develop or improve garden projects for youth aged 0-18. This initiative not only promotes educational opportunities but also fosters community engagement through gardening. Recipients receive a variety of supplies, including seeds and gardening tools, to help cultivate sustainable gardening practices.

The Plant America Community Project Grant, offered by the National Garden Clubs, supports initiatives that enhance public spaces and community gardens. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for projects that educate and engage both adults and children in gardening. Since 2017, over 250 grants have been awarded, totaling more than $225,000. Eligible applicants include member clubs, focusing on beautification, restoration, and environmental education.