Funding & Other Support

USDA Awards
A press release about award money going to community groups in D.C.

USDA: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program
"A program of Federal grants to support the development of community food projects designed to meet the food needs of low-income people; increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs; and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues." See who received grants the past three years.

Community Food Projects Program
More information about this program from the USDA.

Community Food Security Coalition Funding
This site contains more information about the Community Food Projects Program. The organization (and their site) is worth reviewing otherwise; they are a non-profit organization dedicated to building local, nutritious food systems.

Agricultural Science & Education Impact
A paragraph of information about "Master Gardener" Programs.

Common Ground Garden Program
Burpee/USDA Partnership
USDA Extension Service, South Building Room 3347, Washington DC 20250-0900
Donations for groups servicing the most needy and neglected urban areas.

Community Development Block Grants
Federal funds given to cities to meet local needs, with $550-$50,000 available. Contact your local Mayor's office for information.

EPA Environmental Education Grants
Most of these grants are geared towards education and children or youth.

USDA: State Partners of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Find the Cooperative Extension Service for you area -- a great source for local gardening information and guidance. Many extension services support the "Master Gardener" Program.

Georgia Master Gardener
The Master Gardener Program supported by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Service. This site offers a variety of factsheets, training manuals

Michigan State University Extension: State Master Gardener Programs
Michigan State provides links to Master Gardener programs in a large number of other states.

For more Master Gardeners information, also see the American Horticulture Society.

American Horticulture Society
Their site provides a forum for Master Gardeners and a map of MG programs across the country. The organization supports youth gardening.

The Garden Club of Georgia
Be sure to check for local gardening clubs & associations who offer awards/grants locally.

National Gardening Association
Known more for educational programs, the NGA does support school gardens. Look at their Kidsgardening site!

Community Resources
"Community Resources is a regional nonprofit organization that works in partnership with community groups, public agencies and nonprofit organizations to develop 'community-based' environmental programs that address the environmental, social and economic issues facing urban America."

The Foundation Center
The Foundation Directory includes corporate and private foundations who give grants.

The Grantsmanship Center
This site offers resources for non-profits.

The GROW Award (Gardeners Renewing Our World).
The GROW award is sponsored annually by the Vermont-based Gardener's Supply Company in honor of the late Robert Rodale. To apply for the GROW Award for individuals or groups who are "healing the earth through gardening," write to Gardener's Supply, 128 Intervale Road, Burlington, Vermont 05401, ATTN: GROW Award.

America the Beautiful Fund
219 Shoreham Building, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 638-1649
A non-profit group which receives large seed donations from major seed companies, such as Park, and Thompson and Morgan. America the Beautiful supplies seeds to community and school garden projects nationwide. Sets of 50 mixed packets of seeds, including vegetables, flowers, and herbs are available for the cost of postage and handling. Larger quantities can also be obtained. Write for an application.

Asgrow Seed
P.O. Box 1087, Tracy, CA 95376, (213) 835-1359
Seeds are available twice per year for donation. Bulk quantities only (one pound cans for tomato, carrot; 50 lb. bags for corn, beans). All seed is treated with fungicide.

Burpee
Warminster, PA 18974
Spanish language seed packets.

The Cook's Garden
Supports organic gardening.

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education
A grant for child-centered projects (including school gardens). The fund gives "small monetary grants to schools, nature centers, or other educational organizations whose efforts best reflect the message of creating natural landscapes using native plants".

National Tree Trust
1120 G Street NW, Suite 770, Washington DC 20005
Provides grants of one-year old, regionally appropriate tree seedlings for planting on public lands (including community gardens). The trees must be maintained by community volunteers; available to all 50 states.

Neuman Seed Co.
P.O. Box 1530, El Centro, CA 92244
Will donate seeds in bulk quantities of 1/2 pound or perhaps smaller. Untreated seed available.

Northrup-King & Co.
3701 Amnicola Hwy., Chattanooga, TN 37406
Will sell individual packets of seed for educational or civic proposes for 65% off the retail price. Minimum order 50 packets.

Petoseed Company
P.O. Box 4206
Saticoy, CA 93007
Seed available in bulk quantities only. Both treated and untreated seed.

Pinetree Garden Seeds
Seeds for the home gardener.

Seeds of Change
PO Box 15700, Santa Fe NM, 87506
Donates organic seeds to non-profit groups. Write to them at the above address for their donation form.

Tsang and Ma International
P.O. Box 5644, Redwood City, CA 94063
Sometimes able to donate individual seed packets, mostly of oriental specialty vegetables, to school and community projects.