Best Community and School Garden Grants in South Carolina

With a mission to strengthen South Carolina’s specialty crop industry, South Carolina Department of Agriculture provides South Carolina horticulture and agricultural crop organizations with project funding. Producer, industry, and community-based groups can apply for projects that enhance specialty crop competitiveness and benefit the broader specialty crop sector rather than a single entity.

South Carolina schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits running on-campus garden or classroom cooking programs can receive up to US $5,000 for program operations, supplies, and educator stipends. Focused on horticulture and gardening, Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation supports school-based nutrition and garden education in communities where Sprouts Farmers Market operates stores.

The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship, established in 1989, offers financial support to students pursuing degrees in horticulture across 16 southeastern states. Administered by the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund, this scholarship honors the legacy of Sidney B. Meadows, a dedicated advocate for education in the horticultural industry. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria related to academic standing and residency, with preference given to those intending to work in the field after graduation.

Nonprofit organizations with organic community or school gardens that feed low-income communities in South Carolina can apply for funding to support urban organic agriculture projects. Nature's Path Organic provides U.S. and Canadian gardens with US $3,000 each to expand food access, especially for underserved or underrepresented communities using organic, non-GMO practices.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities working on horticulture, gardening, and public green spaces in the U.S., including South Carolina, can access funding via the Garden Club of Houston. Grants support community and school gardens, public parks, nature centers, educational events, publications, scholarships, and related conservation and civic improvement projects.

Schools and education organizations in South Carolina can use this program to install hydroponic classroom gardens that support STEM, STEAM, and nutrition education. Rise Gardens provides equipment and resources to help educators teach NGSS-aligned science, entrepreneurship, and community-building through hands-on horticulture and gardening projects.

Students in horticulture or floriculture programs planning careers in commercial cut flower production, including those in South Carolina, can receive US $1,000 scholarships for education-related costs. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers also provides a one-year membership, which may benefit students involved with community or school garden projects focused on cut flowers.

Universities, colleges, and federal research institutions conducting floriculture and horticulture-related projects in South Carolina can access funding through the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund, administered by American Floral Endowment. Grants support research and education in floriculture and allied fields, including plant pathology, plant physiology, entomology, molecular biology, and agricultural economics, with annual renewal possible.

South Carolina school garden and horticulture programs with 3rd grade classes can access funding through the Bonnie Plants Foundation’s 3rd Grade Cabbage Program, which provides free cabbage plants and a chance at US $1,000 in in-kind support. Teachers, parents, and administrators may enroll eligible classes to engage youth in hands-on vegetable gardening.

Nonprofit and other tax-exempt organizations planning to turn vacant lots into gardens can apply for KidsGardening’s Lots of Compassion Grant, awarding US $20,000 to each of 10 projects. Focused on horticulture and gardening, this national program includes South Carolina groups serving under-resourced communities with at least fifteen garden participants.

Nonprofits and eligible public entities serving Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina can seek funding for horticulture and gardening projects, including community and school gardens. Focused on community needs, the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area also supports related programs in arts, education, health, and human services, with grants up to US $15,000.

Nonprofit floral industry organizations in South Carolina and nationwide can apply for the Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund to support retail floral education events. Administered by American Floral Endowment, this program offers grants or scholarships to reduce or waive registration fees for educational floriculture and gardening industry gatherings.

South Carolina horticulture and gardening nonprofits with local community projects can access funding through Kubota for up to US $50,000 in combined cash and equipment support. 501(c)(3) organizations planning community gardens, parks, or public green spaces may be eligible, with 10 grants awarded nationally through the Hometown Proud Grant Program.

Academic, governmental, industry, and 501(c)(3) researchers working on horticulture and gardening projects in South Carolina can seek funding to support one-year research benefiting specialty cut flower growers. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Research Foundation will award one or more grants totaling US $30,000, with any research topic considered and collaboration with growers encouraged.

With a mission to support youth horticulture and gardening, KidsGardening provides South Carolina community and school garden programs with garden supply packages and US $500 awards. Any organization in the U.S. or territories serving at least 15 youth ages 0–18 and starting or improving a garden may be eligible, with priority for under-resourced, high-impact programs.

NGC-member garden clubs in South Carolina can apply for National Garden Clubs’ Ames Tools Grant, receiving up to US $250 in in-kind tools for community or garden therapy projects. Eligible projects, including community and school gardens, must run March 1–September 30, 2026, and may involve partnerships with other local organizations.

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.

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.