Key Dates:
* Grant applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format between November 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026 to the following email address: grants@indymcmga.org.
* Those awarded grants will be notified by March 1, 2026.
Background: The Marion County Master Gardener Association (MCMGA) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote good gardening practices to the community in cooperation with Purdue Extension – Marion County.
Grant Purpose: To support gardening education initiatives which help hunger-relief efforts in Marion County.
Prospective Applicants: Not-for-profit [ie 501c(3)] organizations involved with farming, community gardens, food pantries, food desert initiatives, and nutrition programs that include demographically targeted education programs.
Grant Sum: $1500. MCMGA may provide limited gardening related consultation support, up to 20 hours annually.
Application Requirements: Grant applicants should provide a one-page overview of the proposed educational plans. Indicate clear, specific goals and concise measures for education and for providing fresh and nutritious produce into the hunger-relief system. Include a general breakout of grant expenditures [materials, outside services, labor (includes salary, internships, etc), other miscellaneous expenses] annually from grant receipt. Finally, please provide contact information. MCMGA may use the grantee’s initiative, name, image and likeness of staff/volunteers in its publicity about the grants program. Grant recipients may also be asked to present at a MCMGA meeting..
Application Deadline: Grant applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format by January 31, 2026 to the following email address: grants@indymcmga.org. Notices to all applicants and the winning grantees will be given by March 1, 2026, and the funds will be distributed thereafter.
Post-Award Reporting Requirements: The project must be completed by November 1, 2026. MCMGA may request periodic updates. By November 1st, the grant recipient must submit a final report that contains the following:
- 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 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.
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 November 1, 2026, those funds must be returned to MCMGA.
Further information: Applicants may contact the grant steering committee designate with questions using the grants@indymcmga.org email address.