School Garden Grants

The School Garden Grant program, administered by the Whole Foods Market Foundation, is a funding initiative designed to support K–12 schools in the United States and Canada in developing or expanding edible educational gardens. Rooted in the belief that hands-on learning in garden environments encourages healthier eating habits among children, the program aims to help schools foster curiosity, environmental awareness, and deeper connections to food systems. By integrating garden-based education into school curricula, the program supports schools in providing experiential learning opportunities that enhance academic content, particularly in science, nutrition, and sustainability. Each awarded school receives a $3,500 monetary grant, which can be used to start a new garden or enhance an existing one. Eligible schools include public and charter schools—including those operated by the Bureau of Indian Education—as well as nonprofit private schools. Applicants must demonstrate regular engagement of at least ten K–12 students in their garden programs and actively cultivate edible plants on-site. Priority consideration is given to schools serving under-resourced student populations, though applicants are trusted to define and provide context for their communities' needs in the application. Recipients may reapply for a second grant if their previous award was received in 2024 or earlier and a progress report has been submitted. Applications for the 2026 cycle are open from February 1 to March 1, 2026, and must be submitted online via the SmartSimple portal. While the application must be completed digitally, a downloadable PDF version is available to help schools prepare their responses in advance. Supplemental support includes webinars hosted by the Whole Foods Market Foundation, including a grant overview session and a Q&A webinar held during the application period. Additionally, a March webinar introduces best practices for integrating food education standards into garden-based learning. All applicants will be notified of funding decisions by August 1, 2026. For awarded schools, grant package shipping will occur between September and November 2026. The program is recurring annually and allows schools to apply again for future cycles, with the noted cap of two total grants per site. The grant is made possible in part through collaboration with partners like the Newman’s Own Foundation, which supports schools using gardens as tools for positive transformation, particularly for children facing adversity. To ensure compliance and proper evaluation, the program stipulates the submission of progress reports from previous recipients and expects grantees to provide regular student engagement data. Questions regarding the application or program details can be directed to [email protected]. Comprehensive FAQs, a SmartSimple tutorial, and an eligibility flowchart are available on the program’s website to assist applicants.

Clearly explain how the garden supports under-resourced communities and student learning; include metrics of engagement if available.