Believe it or not, there are numerous sources for grants for edible education. Community partnerships and private or corporate sponsorship are two methods to fund the program outside of the normal school system. Of course, many schools fund their school garden initiatives with a proper budget request during the normal school year fiscal cycle.
But too often, funding for edible education must be secured outside the community or school system. Budgets are tight and many districts are battling budget cuts making it nearly impossible to fund a garden program.
Not to fear, there is a third option to find funds for your edible education program. Grants offer a very viable option for public schools, private schools, afterschool programs, and even non-profit community organizations.
Grants are available for initial planning, equipment purchase, installation and improvement, and even staff training. Below are some that might be viable for your project.
- US Department of Education – Clearinghouse page for all grants
- Grants.gov – Online application process for multiple grants
- Walmart – Grants focused on Opportunity, Sustainability, and Community
- Shopko – Grants for “hometown” communities where they have stores
- USDA Farm to School Grant Program – Grants supporting the federal Farm to School initiative with additional funding sources from other agencies
- Home Depot – Grants to support improvements and refurbishing structures including the Lab building
- School Food Support Initiative – Technical assistance grants for food service professionals
- Toshiba America Foundation – Grants for science and math projects catering to small student counts
- Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation – Grants that seek to solve environmental, social, and ecological issues
- The NEA Foundation – Grants that fund projects that incorporate STEM and/or global learning
- Lowes – Grants to provide the tools to help educators and parent groups through educational challenges by providing the greatest impact, with basic necessities being the priority
- Bank of America – Grants that directly impact the community
- White-Reinhardt Mini-Grants – Grants that will increase agricultural literacy
- Ben & Jerry’s Foundation – Grants for Social and Environmental Justice Organizing Project (non-profit only)
- Karma for Care Foundation – Grants for Youth-Led Community Service Projects. Small micro-grants for students pursuing community impact projects (youth 18 and under)
- Wild Ones – Grants for Youth Nature and Plant Education projects. Hands-on, youth-based education programs focused on creating ecosystems utilizing native plants. (non-profits focusing on K-12 level education)
- The HarryChapin Foundation – Grants for Community Education, Arts-in-Education, Agricultural and Environmental Programs (non-profit)
- Whole Kids Foundation – Grants for school gardens, extended learning, honey bees, school salad bars, innovation, and Canadian Farm to School programs
Not all grants will be a good fit for the nature of your project so the best approach is to click through and look at their eligibility requirements.