Part of the reality of running a community garden is finding a way to fund the garden. There are multiple ways to secure funds garden, so let’s take a look at some of the basic types of fundraising and some tips to help your garden grow financially!
Types of Fundraising
Grassroots Fundraising
Grassroots fundraising is a decentralized way to gain funds by reaching out to the community. This method doubles as both a way to gain financial investments and curate a strong sense of ownership in the community. Some opportunities for grassroots fundraising include building partnerships with businesses and donors, crowd funding, and hosting community events.
Partnerships: Engage local businesses for sponsorships, donations, and other “investments” into your garden mission. Some examples include:
- Home improvement stores
- Food vendors
- Garden centers
- Garden clubs
- Garden foundations
- Private philanthropy
Crowd Funding Platforms: Crowd funding platforms can be utilized to raise money in the community as well. These fundraisers are hosted on platforms such as GoFundMe, SeedMoney, and Kickstarter.
Host events: Hosting events is a powerful way to get the word out about your organization, engage with the community, have fun, and raise money. Seed sales, art sales, garden dinners, yoga, classes, and live music, are just a few examples. The event doesn’t have to be garden related! Get creative.
Grant Funding
Securing grant funding can provide both small and large amounts to start or support your organization. Even smaller grants can provide a foundation for larger and longer-term grants in the future. To better position your garden for grant funding:
- Establish measurable objectives
- Read guidelines and requirements carefully
- Develop your garden’s mission and goals
- Create a list of grant opportunities that apply to your garden
- Becoming a 501(c)(3) organization
Document and Share
Documenting the garden activities and progress can help increase the visibility of what is being done in the garden. The better the success and mission of the garden is captured, the more comfortable local businesses, donors, and other organizations will feel about investing in the mission.
- Identify a “champion” or “documentarian” that is interested in taking photos, writing. See other ways “document the garden”.
- Reach out to local press about events
- Collaborate with other gardens
- Thank volunteers/partners and collect testimonials
- Apply for public awards
- Utilize social media to share what is happening in the garden
While these are just a few considerations for securing funding for the garden, but with time and practice, these strategies can lead to long-term financial growth that ensures your garden continues to grow green for years to come.
For more information, please contact Kaleena Davis, Ornamental Horticulture Assistant at UF/IFAS Extension in Hillsborough County at kaleenadavis@ufl.edu.
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