Waterwise Garden Grant Program

Hunter Industries, a company known for its innovative irrigation solutions across over 120 countries, partners with KidsGardening to support educational gardening programs that emphasize sustainability and environmental stewardship. Their product offerings cater to residential, commercial, agricultural, and golf course irrigation systems, reflecting a longstanding commitment to water and energy efficiency. Through partnerships such as this one with KidsGardening, Hunter aims to promote green space development and responsible environmental practices in educational settings. The Waterwise Garden Grant is a collaborative initiative by Hunter Industries and KidsGardening that provides targeted support to elementary and middle schools (K-8) in the United States and U.S. territories. The purpose of this grant is to facilitate educational gardening projects focused on water conservation, stewardship, and responsible water use. This program seeks to promote hands-on learning opportunities where students can explore sustainable practices directly through the establishment or enhancement of youth gardens. For the 2026 cycle, twenty-five schools will be selected to receive between $1,000 and $2,250 in funding, along with an irrigation supply kit valued at $500. The base grant award is $1,000, with the potential to receive an additional $1,250 through the Waterwise Garden Equity Specialty Award. This additional funding is designated for programs that face heightened financial, environmental, safety, health, or regulatory challenges. The irrigation kit includes all components necessary for a garden with three 4' x 8' raised beds, and can be customized with the help of a licensed irrigation professional. Eligibility is limited to public or charter K-8 schools that serve at least 15 youth and have received less than $10,000 in garden grants in 2025. Applicants must serve under-resourced communities and must be using the funds for a new or improved youth garden. Organizations that received funding from specified 2024-2025 KidsGardening grant programs are not eligible. Priority will be given to programs demonstrating high need and impact, particularly those working with more than 50 youth and those facing significant barriers to resources or support. The application must be submitted online by Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Applicants are encouraged to draft responses offline to avoid browser timeouts. Application materials are available in both English and Spanish. Winners will be announced in November, with checks sent in December and irrigation kits delivered in January 2026. Awardees must complete a final grant report by June 15, 2026, which includes digital documentation of the garden and its impact. For questions not addressed in the FAQ section, applicants may contact Sarah Lane, the KidsGardening Program Director, via email at grants@kidsgardening.org. All applications must be submitted using the Common Application, and awardees will be added to KidsGardening’s email list for future updates and communications.

Applicants are encouraged to draft answers offline due to browser timeout issues and review application tips provided on the support page.