Growing Together: Open Forum

Hi all!

How have you generated revenue to support your garden program?

When I was an elementary garden educator, we hosted a plant and flower sale that helped us raise a few hundred dollars. Do you all also host plant and flower sales? What other ways have you raised funds (farmers markets, CSAs, garden tours, etc.)?

Thanks so much!

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Sarah Lane
KidsGardening
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While this may sound boring, we raise most of our garden funds by asking our nonprofit Home & School Club (aka PTA) to 1) give the garden a minimal amount (e.g. $100) as a line item in their annual budget and 2) create a separate School Garden Fund, for which we seek donations. Where we live, some parents work for companies that match charitable donations, so we especially encourage those. Seek donations from school families, but also ask the broader community. There is a lot of support out there for school garden education. $10, $20, $25 and $100 donations add up, and they're tax deductible if your PTA is a registered 501 c(3).


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Amy Cody
Parent Volunteer / Coordinator
Latimer Garden & Outdoor Classroom
San Jose, CA
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reach out to your local Rotary Club.  I planted over 30 native monarch gardens last year for www.MonarchSisterSchools.org​ and most of them were funded by local Rotary Clubs.  Rotary International has adopted the Environment as their 7th area of focus.  Helping a school plant a monarch native pollinator, vegetable, or sensory garden is a nice size project for all Rotary Clubs to volunteer & help fund.  I am happy to talk to your local club about how to help you.  Mary Anne, Area Gov. Rotary Club of Baltimore Sunset Maryland 410-599-2860

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Mary Anne Rishebarger
Natural Partners/Monarch Sister Schools Program
Baltimore MD
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I have discovered generating revenue for gardening less challenging then other areas.
Local banks will provide small donations gifts of $100. Big grocery stores will give a gift card that can be used for purchasing program snacks and water or items from their garden departments.
Buying plants from small nurseries with a talk on what you are doing usually result in discounts or a few freebees. 
Go the your community council. They have a budget for community programs. Try to get their support too.
Girl and boy clubs might want to host your garden. giving you more participants and funding.

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Susan Borders
Darby Free Library
Darby PA
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Thanks for the great suggestions, Amy, Mary Ann, and Susan!

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Sarah Lane
KidsGardening
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