Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraska, Inc.
Grants
National Garden Clubs Grants
Plant America
Dedicated to Creating, Promoting, Educating, and Developing America's Garden Communities
President Nancy Hargroves' signature project, Plant America, highlights the fundamental components of gardening: the range of garden designs; the components needed for sustainable, healthy gardens; an understanding of environmental concerns; and the resources to supply the necessary funding to implement garden plans.
Committees have been established with the specific goal of investigating, enlightening, and assisting the NGC community in their field of expertise. Additionally, it creates an endowment fund to collect and disburse money for NGC member club operations.
Under the direction of Betty Cookendorfer, the Plant America initiative aims to assist NGC members and the general public in getting back to the "roots" of why the majority of members join garden clubs: to learn about gardening! This emphasis has given committees and projects a new framework, streamlining and combining several earlier endeavors under new headings.
Natural Disaster USA Fund: Extending a Helping Hand
Established by NGC in 1997, the Natural Disaster USA Fund was created to receive monetary contributions from states, clubs, and individuals. Its primary purpose is to support local and state garden clubs in restoring parks, municipal gardens, and other garden-related sites affected by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, ice storms, and wildfires.
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Each fiscal year, grants of up to $5,000 per project may be awarded to eligible local or state clubs. The application form is available for download via the link below. Submissions must include the project location, details of the disaster’s impact, a restoration plan proposed by the garden club, an itemized cost estimate, and any additional funds received from external sources. Grant decisions are based on a scale of points guideline. Applications should be sent via email to Patricia Smith, Chairman: Grants, Natural Disasters.
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The Natural Disaster USA Fund operates solely through the generosity of dedicated garden club members. Over the years, it has provided crucial financial assistance to numerous clubs across the country, helping to restore green spaces devastated by natural disasters. To ensure this vital support continues for future restoration efforts, we kindly ask for your contributions.
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Donations are tax-deductible and deeply appreciated. Please make checks payable to Natural Disaster USA Fund and mail them to:
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NGC Treasurer
Headquarters, 4401 Magnolia Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110-3492
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​Thank you for your generosity in keeping this fund alive and helping communities rebuild their cherished garden spaces!
Garden Tools for Garden Projects: AMES + NGC = Gardening!
NGC has partnered with The AMES Companies, Inc. to support garden landscaping projects through the Garden Tools Project. Established in 1774, AMES is the largest manufacturer of gardening tools in the U.S. As part of this collaboration, AMES provides tools for approved landscaping projects initiated by state or local garden clubs. This valuable partnership began in October 2014, helping garden clubs enhance and maintain green spaces across communities.
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This valuable partnership began in October 2014, helping garden clubs enhance and maintain green spaces across communities.
Espoma Plant Foods & Soils Supports "Plant America"
National Garden Clubs is excited to continue its partnership with the premier provider of organic plant foods and potting soils – The Espoma Company. Espoma is a manufacturer of organic fertilizers for gardeners nationwide and offers over 70 organic products and manufactures over 50 million pounds of organic fertilizer per year. Espoma’s commitment to environmental sustainability extends to its manufacturing facility that is 100% solar powered with panels covering 67,000 sq. ft. and producing over 810,000 kilowatt hours of electricity - enough to power over 70 homes for a full year. This saves more than 1.6 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually and reduces as much C02 as planting two million trees.
Espoma Grant Applications will be accepted from October 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025.
Applying for the Espoma Plant America Grant is easy. Simply click on the link to the Espoma Grant Program Application, scroll down to find and then complete the form, attach a word.doc file with the project description and/or site drawing and add up to 3 ‘before’ photos, then click ’submit.
Operation Wildflower: Promoting Native Plants & Wildflowers
National Garden Clubs, Inc. is pleased to offer a grant opportunity for Garden Clubs collaborating with youth groups to plan and establish Pollinator Gardens. Grants of up to $200 are available for projects that incorporate educational materials on the essential role of pollinators in nature, while actively engaging youth in the planning, planting, and maintenance of gardens that support pollinators with food and nesting resources.
Through hands-on experience, youth participants will gain an understanding of sustainable gardening practices, the importance of providing proper food sources and shelter, and the critical role pollinators play in our ecosystem.
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How to Apply:
To request a grant, complete an NGC Grant Application, provide a detailed project description, and submit it to the NGC Youth Committee Chairman for approval.
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Resources
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Pollinator Power Book
For more information, contact:
Tricia Mitchell, Youth Awards Chairman
Youth Pollintor Gardens
National Garden Clubs, Inc. is excited to provide a grant opportunity for Garden Clubs working with youth clubs or groups planning and planting Pollinator Gardens. Grants, up to $200, are available for projects that include educational materials on the vital role pollinators play in nature and youth involvement in planning and planting gardens providing nesting and food sources for pollinators. Youth will learn the importance of providing appropriate food sources, nesting areas, shelter, and practicing sustainable gardening practices for pollinators by planning, planting, and maintaining these pollinator gardens.
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To apply for a grant, complete an NGC Grant Application, provide detailed information about the project, and submit your request to the NGC Youth Committee Chairman for approval.
Resources
For more information, contact:
Youth Pollinator Garden Grants Chairman, Diane Powelka