Jack and Martha Carter Grant

Jack and Martha Carter Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Native Plant Society of New Mexico
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: October 13, 2025

Summary

The Jack and Martha Carter Grant, offered by the Native Plant Society of New Mexico, supports projects that enhance public understanding of native plants and their conservation. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, aimed at educational, ecological, and botanical research initiatives. Both members and nonmembers are eligible, with a focus on practical, innovative proposals that align with the Society's mission. Applicants must report on their project outcomes, fostering accountability and continued support for environmental efforts.

Overview

The Native Plant Society of New Mexico is a non-profit organization that strives to educate the public about native plants by promoting knowledge of plant identification, ecology, and uses; foster plant conservation and the preservation of natural habitats; support botanical research; and encourage the appropriate use of native plants to conserve water, land, and wildlife. Grants Would you like a little help getting your conservation or restoration project off the ground? Do you need matching funds for another grant or donation that requires that? Do you teach students about plant ecology, or have a botanical research study underway and need money for materials, transportation, equipment, or analysis? If your project falls in line with our mission, consider applying for a grant. Acceptance of your proposal by the NPSNM can demonstrate the worthiness of your organization and your project to other funding groups or foundations. In the past, grants have been limited to a maximum of $1500. However, substantive proposals that especially serve our mission and will inspire others will be considered for greater amounts (details below). We encourage you to get the most from our grants by working with volunteers if appropriate, combining efforts with other groups or landowners, or obtaining matching funds. Examples of Past Grant Topics: The removal of invasive species from public and private lands to restore native vegetation.Habitat restoration at the New Mexico Wildlife Center using volunteers from Master GardenersGiving hands-on, multi-skilled experience to elementary school children as they learn about the yucca and its life cycleTraining and employing Pueblo youth in the recognition, collection and processing of native plant seeds in support of the National Seed StrategyOverhaul and new design of the New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council's interactive websiteRepeating a 1970s field study of bees pollinating wild sunflowers in order to document changes in bee species composition in the same areas over timeEnabling a local farmer to enter the new market of native plant seeds and starts that are in demand for land restorationWe have supported the creation of "pollinator gardens" at schools and parks. However, additional gardens are to be funded only if there is assurance of the garden's continued maintenance into the future. Proposals less likely to receive approval are those that appear to be salary support, and we do not fund overhead charges by an institution. Supplies, tools, seeds, equipment rental, contractor charges, safety items and refreshments for volunteers are examples of typical expenses we approve. It is up to the applicant to propose a practical and realistic project budget, knowing that fewer grants are available for the higher amounts. Typical levels of funding $1000 -- Many projects have succeeded with budgets of under $1000, and several will be awarded this year.Up to $2000 will be furnished for proposals needing greater support for greater benefits to the environment, public knowledge of native plants, ecological education or botanical research.Up to two grants of $5000 each may be awarded to projects with a more significant and lasting impact. Examples: revegetation of a despoiled area, protection of a wetland, research benefitting a threatened or endangered species of plant, or repurposing wasted water to maintain a native wildflower zone at a school or nursing home. Anything in line with our mission can qualify if it is well-conceived, attainable, and ambitious, but competition is stiff for awards at this level. One Year Grants - Successful grant winners are required to submit a written report (a template will be provided) due by November 1. If the project is not yet complete, it will be a status and progress report with a final report due afterward. The report should describe how the funds were used and be sent to: cartergrantapps"at"gmail.com. Subject line: Project Report Follow-on Grants - Projects spanning more than one year can only be funded a year at a time. A new application accompanying a progress report submitted by the end of the funded year will be considered for a new round of support. Inspire us with your accomplishments and determination.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Nonmembers and members of NPSNM are equally eligible to receive grants.Your project must support at least one NPSNM mission area, by clearly stating how your project will:Educate the public about native plants by promoting knowledge of native plant identification, ecology or uses, ORContribute to the conservation or the restoration/preservation of native plants and their natural habitats, ORConduct botanical research, involving New Mexico native plants, ORDemonstrate the appropriate use of native plants to conserve water, land and wildlife.