Grants awarded
Introduction
The Marion County Master Gardener Association (MCMGA) awards garden grants of up to $500 for projects in Marion County which accomplish any of the following purposes:
- Address food insecurity by growing produce to share with food pantries and other distributors;
- Renovate or restore a site or start a new garden or landscape project;
- Improve the environment by, for example, eradicating invasive plants or addressing erosion.
- Educate the public on good gardening and horticultural practices. Educational suggestions include hands-on activities, school projects or presentations, on-site interpreters, plant labels or signage.
The Application Process
Applicant seeking a grant for an eligible project must complete and submit the on-line application form by February 28th, 2026.
Applicant will receive acknowledgement of the grant request submission.
Decisions on grants will be made in March, and applicants will be notified by March 31, 2026.
Application Requirements
Grant must be to support a not-for-profit entity.
The Project must have a current MCMGA member actively participating as coordinator or advisor for the duration of the grant. An entity lacking an MCMGA member as coordinator or advisor may advise in the application and MCMGA will attempt to pair a member with the entity. (If no member volunteers to serve as coordinator or advisor, the entity will not be eligible to receive a grant.)
Projects must be completed by September 1st, 2026.
Projects must take place in Marion County.
Post-Award Requirements
The MCMGA member coordinating or advising the grant recipient may be asked to provide periodic updates to the MCMGA Board.
A grant recipient must inform the Grant Committee Chair at (grants@indymcmga.org) of any decision to spend funds other than as budgeted IF the change is for more than 50% of the grant amount.
Grant recipients must display on site a sign, provided by MCMGA.
Each grant recipient must submit a summary report on or before September 1st of the grant year, and that report must include the information listed in the section below.
Report Requirements
The report must be submitted electronically, and include the following information:
- A project summary;
- A statement whether the project was completed as proposed;
- A chart comparing proposed amounts from the grant application budget to actual expenditures;
- If the grant check was made payable to an individual, copies of receipts for all expenditures;
- A description of any necessary changes in project scope affecting grant money being spent;
- “Before”, “during”, and “after” photos;
- Signature of the MCMGA member coordinator or advisor. (Submission from the email address of the member as listed in the MCMGA membership directory shall suffice as a signature.)
MCMGA may request additional information on the project, and the report or a summary will appear on MCMGA’s website. Grant recipients may be asked to present at a MCMGA meeting.
If the project results in the sale of produce, plants, or other items resulting from the use of grant funds, all proceeds of such sales must be directed back into the project.
If grant funds remain on September 1, 2026; those funds must be returned to MCMGA.
Instructions for Completing the Application Form
On the application form please fill in your response to each question. Note that some questions are required by the notation of the Red * at the end of the question. These questions must have a response. At the end of this form will be a Submission button to submit your garden grant request to MCMGA. If any issues submitting form, please ensure that all required questions have a response. If you want to print or save a copy of the application, before hitting the “Submit” button, right click on the form and select “Print” or “Save as…”
Link to Application Form
If you have not received an acknowledgement of your submission within three business days, email Garden Grant committee chair (grants@indymcmga.org) and the MCMGA President (pres@indymcmga.org).
Questions?
Questions about the Garden Grant program can be addressed to the Garden Grant Committee chair at (grants@indymcmga.org)