Community Garden Development Grant

The Participatory Budgeting Community Garden Development Grant is a competitive funding opportunity administered by GrowBoston, a program within the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Housing. GrowBoston has a long-standing history of supporting urban agriculture initiatives in Boston, building upon the legacy of the Grassroots Program that has provided over 25 years of support for community gardens, urban farms, and other green spaces. This particular funding round stems from the City of Boston’s Participatory Budgeting initiative, allowing residents to decide how a portion of the city's budget is spent. The proposal to support community gardens was selected by voters during the 2025 cycle and is now being implemented through this grant. A total of $500,000 is being offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for the purpose of building or expanding community gardens on underutilized land throughout Boston, with a strong emphasis on neighborhoods that have limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Awards will range between $50,000 and $300,000 per organization. The purpose of the grant is to address food insecurity, enhance environmental health, and promote community building through public access gardening. Funded projects must include robust rodent management plans, adhere to strict design and construction standards, and be accessible for public use. Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements, including being a registered nonprofit, having site control or long-term agreements in place for the proposed site, and demonstrating the ability to begin construction by June 2026. All funded improvements must be permanent and maintained for a minimum of 15 years. Fiscally-sponsored groups are not eligible to apply. Applications must include documentation such as IRS determination letters, W9s, project budgets, and a property affidavit. Selected applicants must provide documentation of committed and pending funds necessary to complete the proposed project, as funding is contingent upon securing all necessary project finances. Evaluation criteria include the feasibility and realism of the development timeline, the applicant's experience with open space projects, demonstrated community need, and community support. Reviewers will also consider how well the proposal aligns with stated design and construction standards such as safety, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and site condition improvements. The ability to meet reporting requirements—including documentation of spending, progress updates, and site visits—is also essential for continued disbursement of funds. The application opens on February 2, 2026, and closes on March 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM. An information session is scheduled for February 11, 2026. Award decisions will be made in April 2026, and funded activities must be carried out between May 1, 2026 and April 30, 2027. Funding will be disbursed in three stages: 50% at the signing of the grant agreement, 40% following documentation of initial spending, and a final 10% upon project completion and documentation of full expenditure. Questions regarding the grant should be directed to Emily Reckard-Mota at [email protected] or 617-635-1370. Applicants are required to register through the City’s WizeHive portal to apply and must ensure they have or obtain a Supplier/Vendor ID prior to approval. No extensions will be granted for the application deadline, and all conflict of interest requirements under Massachusetts law must be acknowledged at the time of submission.

Emphasize site readiness, community support, and permanent public access; ensure proof of all matching funds committed.