Education Grants awarded
In order to facilitate review of your grant proposal we are providing guidance for writing your grant below. If you have questions please send an email to grants@indymcmga.org.
MCMGA Education Grants Information
Key Dates:
* Grant applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format between November 1, 2026 and January 31, 2027 to the following email address: grants@indymcmga.org.
* Those awarded grants will be notified by March 1, 2027.
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 maximum. MCMGA may provide limited gardening related consultation support.
Application Requirements: Please provide the following information in a PDF document no longer than two pages (not including attachments):
- Contact name, address, email, phone number website and any social media information (e.g. Facebook, Instagram).
- Zip code(s) of areas in Marion County where your organization provides support.
- A brief introduction to the organization.
- Overview of the proposed project.
- Description of the need for the program.
- Clear goals and success metrics, including the anticipated number of participants and their age range.
- The project’s proposed educational aspects/benefits.
- Description of the project’s intended impact on food insecurity.
- General breakout of expenditures for materials, labor (breaking out salary and internship) and outside services directly supporting the project. Provide a separate breakout for overhead costs. Overhead costs should not exceed 10% of the grant amount being requested.
- An explanation of how the project will be maintained once it is completed; if the applicant is a school, provide information on summer maintenance.
- The amount requested. Grant proposals may request less than the $1500 maximum.
- Attachment 1: Proof of non-profit [501(c)(3)] status, including a copy of the IRS determination letter and a copy of the most recent Form 990. If your organization does not file a Form 990, supply information equivalent to what is provided on Form 990. Note: this information is not required if it was provided with a previous application.
- Attachment 2: List of the Board of Directors.
Application Deadline: Grant applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format by January 31, 2027 to the following email address: grants@indymcmga.org. Notices to all applicants and the winning grantees will be given by March 1, 2027, and the funds will be distributed thereafter.
Publicity. 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. Grant recipients are expected to display a sign noting MCMGA’s financial support. (Sign will be provided.)
Post-Award Reporting Requirements: The project must be completed by November 1, 2027. 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, 2027, 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.