Participatory Budgeting Community Garden Development Grant

About Grow Boston
GrowBoston is the City of Boston's Office of Urban Agriculture, and part of the Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH). MOH has been supporting the development of community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and other open spaces for more than 25 years through the Grassroots Program, which is now part of GrowBoston. GrowBoston works to increase community gardens, urban farms, and other food-growing spaces throughout Boston; support innovative food production strategies; provide technical assistance to prospective and existing gardens and farms; develop resources for gardeners, farmers, and other residents; and coordinate with other City departments associated with food production in Boston. For more information, visit GrowBoston online.
Grant Description
GrowBoston is offering a total of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to support community gardens in Boston's neighborhoods with limited access to affordable food. This program will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to build community gardens on underutilized land for public access and use, prioritizing areas where people have limited access to affordable, nutritious food. This project will create a healthier environment, beautify the community, address food insecurity, and build camaraderie among residents. Garden operations must have a robust rodent management plan. The public purpose of this grant program is to invest in public community garden spaces for Boston residents. This funding opportunity is a direct outcome of resident-led decision-making through the City’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process established through a voter-approved ballot initiative in November 2021.
Total Amount Available for Grant Program:

• $500,000.00
• Award Amount per Grant per Organization:
• Organizations may apply for grant award between $50,000.00 and $300,000.00
• Design & Construction Standards

Preserves desirable site conditions and features.Promotes accessibility for individuals with disabilities.Repairs or replaces inadequate site infrastructure or furnishings.Maintains or restores visibility throughout the site.Appropriate site assessment and soil conditions.Ensures health and safety of gardeners or users of the open space.Appropriate treatment or remediation of any site hazards or contamination.Addresses concerns and needs of abutting residential property owners.Provides site improvements posing minimal risk or liability to landowner.Incorporates energy, soil, and water conservation measures.Avoids the use of any invasive plant species.Limits the use of impermeable surfaces.

Eligibility

Prior to the execution of a grant agreement, selected applicants who do not own the land must submit a lease or Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) valid for at least 15 years. Applicants must provide a list of pending and committed funds to be able to complete the project. Grant agreements cannot be executed until all other sources of funds to complete the project have been secured. Selected applicants may be required to provide backup documentation for other sources of funds.

Ineligibility

Fiscally-sponsored groups will not be eligible for this funding opportunity.