Best Community and School Garden Grants in Rhode Island

Nonprofit organizations running organic community or school gardens that feed low-income communities in Rhode Island can access funding through Nature's Path Organic, with awards of US $3,000. Eligible projects must be urban, managed organically without synthetic inputs or GMOs, and focused on providing fresh food to underserved or underrepresented communities.

Grassroots community groups in Rhode Island launching new local environmental or gardening projects can apply for New England Grassroots Environment Fund’s Seed grants, awarding US $500 - US $1,000 for early-stage work. Volunteer-driven groups with small budgets, including those without formal nonprofit status, may be eligible for community and school garden efforts.

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.

501(c)(3) organizations and government entities working on horticulture, gardening, and public green spaces in Rhode Island and beyond can access funding through Garden Club of Houston for civic and community projects. Priority goes to the greater Houston area, but eligible groups elsewhere may receive support for gardens, parks, nature centers, and related educational efforts.

Schools and education organizations in Rhode Island seeking hydroponic classroom gardens for STEM and nutrition education can apply for the Rise for Education Grant Program. Rise Gardens provides horticulture and gardening support with systems and lessons that integrate STEM/STEAM, entrepreneurship, and community-building into year-round, hands-on learning experiences.

Students in horticulture or floriculture programs interested in commercial cut flower production can receive US $1,000 scholarships for education from the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers; awards include a one-year ASCFG membership. Rhode Island students pursuing community or school garden-related studies within these fields may be eligible if they meet the degree and credit requirements.

Universities, colleges, and federal research institutions conducting floriculture and horticulture research in Rhode Island and across the U.S. can seek project-based funding for research and educational initiatives. Grants from American Floral Endowment help support studies in areas like plant pathology, plant physiology, entomology, and related fields that advance floriculture knowledge and practice.

Rhode Island 3rd grade classes interested in horticulture and gardening can receive free oversized cabbage plants and compete for US $1,000 in in-kind support. Community and school garden programs may benefit, as teachers, parents, and administrators across the 48 contiguous states are eligible to enroll their classrooms in the Bonnie Plants Foundation program.

Focused on horticulture and gardening, KidsGardening invites Rhode Island community and school garden organizers to apply for the Lots of Compassion Grant. Eligible U.S. 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt organizations, or groups with a fiscal sponsor, can receive US $20,000 to transform vacant lots into gardens serving under-resourced communities.

Nonprofit floral industry organizations offering retail floral education, including those serving Rhode Island, can apply for American Floral Endowment’s Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund. Funding supports reduced or free registration fees for retail florists to attend educational industry events, with awards administered annually through AFE’s Educational Grants application process each July.

Rhode Island horticulture and gardening nonprofits with local community projects can access funding through Kubota for community development, gardens, parks, and public spaces. This national program awards up to US $50,000 per 501(c)(3), combining cash and Kubota equipment to help bring hometown greening and beautification projects to life.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, universities, governmental agencies, and industry researchers conducting horticulture and plant science research in Rhode Island can seek funding for one-year projects that benefit specialty cut flower growers. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Research Foundation offers competitive U.S. grants totaling US $30,000, with any research topic considered and collaboration with growers encouraged.

Organizations in Rhode Island planning new or expanded youth garden programs serving at least 15 children can receive US $500 in gardening supplies and educational materials. With a mission to improve kids’ lives through gardening, KidsGardening provides U.S. school and community programs with tools, seeds, and specialty awards, prioritizing under-resourced, high-impact projects.

NGC-member garden clubs in the U.S., including those running community or school gardens in Rhode Island, can apply for National Garden Clubs’ Ames Tools Grant; awards up to US $250 in in-kind support for horticulture and gardening projects. Eligible projects run March 1–September 30, 2026 and may involve partner organizations.

Rhode Island horticulture and gardening clubs that are members of National Garden Clubs can receive up to US $2,000 for community and school gardens, beautification, and environmental projects. National Garden Clubs provides funding for public landscaping, restoration, educational gardening programs, and other community-focused horticulture initiatives; prior Plant America Community Project Grant recipients are not eligible.

Local or state garden clubs in Rhode Island can seek funding to restore community or school gardens and other public garden spaces damaged by natural disasters. National Garden Clubs supports horticulture and gardening projects across the U.S., offering up to US $5,000 for replanting, restoration, and beautification efforts.

The Native Plant and Wildflower Education Grant offers up to $500 for educational programs focused on native plants and wildflowers. State Garden Clubs and similar organizations can co-sponsor symposia aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge about native flora, including endangered species and habitat management. Programs should be scheduled to coincide with wildflower blooming periods, promoting public planting initiatives and the design of native gardens.

Rhode Island women pursuing full-time graduate study in agriculture, horticulture, or related fields can access funding through the Sarah Bradley Tyson Memorial Fellowship. This US $4,000 award from Woman's National Farm and Garden Association supports master’s or doctoral study at accredited U.S. institutions, which may benefit future leaders of community and school garden initiatives.

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.