Dig In!
Community Garden Grant for Community Organizations
Through the Dig In! Community Garden Grant, City Green provides funding, in-kind materials, and technical assistance to support community organizations, garden clubs, green teams, and faith-based organizations looking to start and sustain a community garden.
New Community Garden Grants / First Time Applicants
Grant Funding Available​
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Funding up to $3,000 with a 15% in-kind match, or a City Green garden installation of up to $3,000 value.​
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Grant Timeline
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Letter of Inquiry Submission Period: August 1st, 2024 - October 4th, 2024
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Site visit and application invitation period: October 7th - November 15th​
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Application deadline: December 4th, 2024
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Grant award notification: January 15th
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Grant delivery: March - May 2025
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Grant report deadline: November 2025
About the Community Garden Grant Process for First-Time Applicants
After the Letter of Inquiry is submitted, City Green will reach out to eligible grantees to schedule a site visit at the proposed garden location. At the site visit, City Green staff will determine if the location is suitable for a sustainable community garden. Qualifying sites will have at least 6-8 hours of sunlight, a safe, level site, water access within 100 feet, limited flood risk and no serious, additional hazards. Sites deemed suitable for a garden will then receive a final grant application due December 6th. Grant notification is in January 2024 and grant delivery is between March and May 2025.
Grant applicants seeking monetary fund will need to complete a garden budget with their application. Grant applicants seeking a City Green garden installation will collaborate with City Green after they receive their grant award to design and install the garden. A City Green garden installation includes a collaborative garden design process to create a garden proposal, the installation of garden beds and soil, and any other garden elements determined in the garden proposal. A City Green garden installation does not include plants or ongoing garden maintenance. More specific information regarding City Green’s garden design and installation process will be provided at the site visit.
Eligibility​
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This program supports municipalities, community organizations, faith-based organizations, garden clubs, high school garden or green teams, youth-serving organizations and community members looking to spearhead a community garden project.
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All projects must be:
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food-producing gardens
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located in Passaic county
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have a minimum of three adults committed to their project
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have a level site with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight and water access within 100 feet​
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Not eligible:
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Schools (Pre-K - Middle Schools)
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Commercial for-profit entities
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Private Residences
Returning Community Garden Grants
Returning Dig In! Community Garden Grants support active, existing community garden projects that have recieved Dig In! funding in the past. These grants are intended to help sustain gardens through monetary funding or in-kind materials procured by City Green.
Grants Available​
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Second-time Applicants ​​​
Award Options
Up to $1250 in items from the Garden Grant Menu
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​Up to $1250 in grant funding
Multi-Year Applicant (3+ years)
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Up to $750 in items from the Garden Grant Menu
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Up to $750 in grant funding
Grant Timeline
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Application period: August 1st, 2024 - December 4th, 2024
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Grant award notification: January 15th
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Grant delivery: March - May 2025
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Grant report deadline: November 2025
Grant Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated with special attention to the following categories: 1) Previous Year's Garden report (including photos) 2) Participant testimonials 3) Site need
About the Community Garden Grant Menu
Second-time applicants can apply for items from the Community Garden Menu of up to $1,250 value or funding up to $1,250 value. Multi-year applicants can apply for menu items of up to $750 value or funding up to $750 value. Applicants selecting funding will need to provide an estimated budget in their grant applications. Applicants selecting items from the Community Garden Menu can select 1 - 4 items in order of most to least desired. City Green will order all garden menu items and installation/ assembly must be completed by the Community Garden group with or without technical assistance from City Green.​
Application
Questions? Reach out to Miranda Madrazo at mmadrazo@city-green.org or call 973-869-4086.