The first step in securing financial support is to create a list of the things you will need. Include the obvious tools such as hoes and rakes, but don’t forget necessities such as hoses, row markers and stakes. Include expenses to develop the site (e.g., paving for pathways, soil amendments, etc.), to build beds, to develop an irrigation system, and to build fencing and a storage shed.
Fundraising, though always a challenge, is a critical step in setting up a garden program. Seek out dynamic individuals who have an interest in the school garden. This is an opportunity to foster ownership within the community.
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- Ask the principal about federal and state entitlement programs for various subject areas that may be available to support the garden.
- Create opportunities for parents to contribute.
- Attend city council, PTA, educational foundation, and community meetings to request money and support.
- Explore your local community for possible grants from organizations and businesses such as garden clubs, service groups, school foundations, local nurseries and stores. For a list and brief description of available grants, visit the Grant Calendar on our School Gardens website.
- Contact community businesses for donations of money, equipment or materials.
- Encourage students to participate.
When you are ready to ask for support from the community, develop a project plan to support your requests. Clearly state what materials or help are needed. Take a project folder to leave with each business.
The project folder might include:
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- An endorsement letter from the director, principal or coordinator stating that the garden project is well organized and has their full support.
- A one-page project description.
- A list of people supporting the project.
- A list of specific needs.
- A garden plan.
- Quotes and/or drawings by participants.
- Suggested opportunities for recognizing those who provide support.
In addition to promptly sending a thank you note, you can show appreciation for those who have supported the garden by:
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- Posting a sign in the garden.
- Acknowledging the contribution on a website, in a newsletter or in the school newspaper.
- Holding a garden party.
- Sending a small gift from the garden.
Donations of Materials and Goods
Use your wish list of the items you will need to guide you in seeking sources for donations from:
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- A local garden center for discarded plants, seeds, and containers.
- Local contractors for lumber for borders, stakes, tool sheds, boxes, trellises, fences, seed flats, or compost bins.
- Hardware stores for tools.
- Yard sales and thrift stores for bargain items.
- City maintenance departments, private tree trimming companies or utility companies for wood chips and mulch for beds and paths.
- The school cafeteria for fruit and vegetable scraps for compost piles. (Check school regulations on disposal of food scraps.)
- Local fencing companies, pool or landscape contractors for materials or labor.
- Wholesale seed companies for free catalogs.
One garden coordinator created a project plan to present to a local supplier who, in turn, provided his support by donating cement garden wall blocks.
For on-going support consider ways you can publicize the garden within the community. You might submit an article to a local paper or have the students create a scrapbook or PowerPoint presentation that can be displayed or shown at a school event.
Students can help list the needs, possible sources, and contacts. They can also get involved by writing thank you notes to donors.
Fundraising Projects
Teachers can involve their students in any number of fundraising activities to get the garden started. Students might:
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- Sell garden products including seedlings, houseplants, floral arrangements, and wreaths.
- Hold special events such as fall and spring plant sales that might include donated garden tools, and used books.
- Design and sell a T-shirt, hat or bag with the school garden logo.