Grants and Funding Opportunities

Greenways—corridors of protected public and private lands—link recreational, cultural and natural features and provide multiple public benefits. They provide paths for people and wildlife; protect forests, wetlands and grasslands; and improve the quality of life for everyone. The Kodak American Greenways Program provides grants to organizations seeking to create or enhance greenways in their communities. Most grants range from $500 to $1,000. You can construct a greenway on or near your school grounds as part of your school’s greening efforts.

Project Learning Tree’s GreenSchools Initiative provides training and funding for students and teachers to investigate environmental issues at their school and engage with their community in service-learning projects that create green and healthy learning environments.

Public school educators are eligible to apply for individual grants worth up to $5,000 for the development and implementation of ideas, techniques and approaches for teaching "green" concepts.

The America the Beautiful Fund offers grants for free seeds to groups striving to beautify our world through gardening. Use seeds for a school garden, restoration project or schoolyard habitat. Grants of 100 to 1,000 seed packets are offered on a basis of availability and need.

Photo: Uwe H. Friese

As a way to encourage the growth of health-focused youth gardens, the National Gardening Association recognizes outstanding programs via the Healthy Sprouts Awards, sponsored by Gardener's Supply Company. To be eligible, your school or organization must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18.

The National Gardening Association works with sponsoring companies and organizations to provide in-kind grants to projects that actively engage kids in the garden and improve the quality of life for their communities. To be eligible for these awards your school or organization must plan to garden with at least 15 kids between the ages of 3 and 18.

Are you taking initiatives to reduce your school's carbon footprint? How would you like an extra $500 to achieve your goal? The Earth Day Network is offering grants from $500 to $3,500 to help schools achieve positive change through education, service, policy and action. 2010 deadlines have been announced.