Best Community and School Garden Grants in Ohio

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ohio K-12 schools seeking hydroponic garden and STEM learning resources can apply for Green Our Planet’s HydroConnect grant. Focused on school-based horticulture and gardening, Green Our Planet invites public, private, home, and charter schools to launch or expand hydroponic labs with curriculum, equipment, teacher community, and coaching support that can complement school garden initiatives.

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.

Ohio horticulture and gardening groups that are National Garden Clubs member clubs can receive up to US $2,000 for community and school garden projects and public beautification. National Garden Clubs funds direct project expenses for efforts like community gardens, school gardens, environmental practices, and public horticulture education, including joint ventures with other organizations across the U.S.

The Sarah Bradley Tyson Memorial Fellowship, established in 1928, honors Sarah Tyson's commitment to women's agricultural education. It offers an annual scholarship to a full-time graduate student in agriculture or horticulture at an accredited U.S. institution. Eligible candidates must have relevant experience in these fields. This fellowship not only supports academic advancement but also aims to empower women pursuing careers in agriculture, reflecting Tyson's legacy of fostering education and community involvement.

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.