The Community Garden Grant program, supported by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, The City of Columbus, and Franklin County, is designed to provide financial and material resources to re-purpose underused land for community gardens and greenspaces. It seeks to enhance local food access and education, particularly in underserved neighborhoods, while fostering community health and wellness, environmental sustainability, and beautification through green spaces. This funding aims to support projects that offer various community benefits, such as social connections, healthy food access, and environmental awareness.

Nonprofit organizations involved in gardening or greening efforts in the Columbus and Franklin County area are eligible to apply. The grant provides up to $1,500 in funding annually for these community garden projects. Additionally, in-kind product donations from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company are available up to a value of $300. However, personnel costs and other ongoing operating expenses are not eligible for support under this grant. The program is available on a yearly basis.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must meet specific requirements. They must be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status or have a fiscal sponsor. The project must take place within the geographic boundaries of Columbus or Franklin County, Ohio. Projects must also be completed within one calendar year from the date of application. Eligible projects include community gardens, school gardens, pollinator gardens, and other beautification efforts that are focused on improving public spaces.

The application process opens annually in February and has a deadline in March. The 2025 Community Garden Grant application opens on February 19, 2025, and the deadline for submission is March 21, 2025. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by April 7, 2025. Grantees are required to submit final reports by the end of November in the year their grant was awarded. Past grantees are also required to submit their final reports by the previous year’s deadline, November 29, 2024.

For questions regarding the grant application, potential applicants are directed to contact Stefanie Coffman, who serves as the Manager of Corporate Philanthropy at The Columbus Foundation. Detailed answers to frequently asked questions regarding the eligibility, funding limits, and application procedures are available on the website. Applicants are also encouraged to use the application platform for submitting their final reports, with further assistance available via email.