Community Garden Grants

Overview

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and The City of Columbus provide financial and material resources to organizations that aim to re-purpose underused land to create, continue, or expand community gardens and greenspaces. The program aims to increase healthy, affordable, and local food access and education, particularly for people in under-resourced neighborhoods, and to connect individuals to the life-enhancing benefits of community gardens and greenspaces, including health and wellness, environmental, community building, and beautification.

Eligibility

• New and existing gardens and greenspaces, including community gardens, school gardens, pollinator gardens, and beautification efforts
• 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor
• Location in Columbus city limits for grants from the City of Columbus or Franklin County for grants from Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation
• Ability to complete project within one calendar year from date of application

Grant Amounts

• Up to $1,500 to assist with day-to-day operations of the community gardens (ongoing personnel costs are not allowable requests)
• $300 mini-grant to assist with garden operation needs such as product, soil and tools

Key Dates

• 2026 application deadline: now closed
• Notification of decisions: early March 2026 via email
• Final reports due: late November 2026

How Grants Are Awarded

Grants are awarded based on the proposal's alignment with the Community Gardening Grant focus on food production and education; the ability to describe the garden's intended impact on the community; capacity of the responsible party to carry out the project; sustainability plan for the garden; and the garden project's budget.

What Is Not Eligible

Personnel costs and utility bills, and items that do not align with the grant purpose and funder priorities. The list is subject to the reviewers' discretion. It is possible that an eligible item may not be funded due to funding limitation or grant making prioritization.