Your community gardens will require resources to get established, to maintain it every year, and to grow and expand over time.  Your needs will depend on your project’s size, activities, resourcefulness, and level of community support.

Here are some tips and resources available to keep your garden thriving.  

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

One of the ways you can resource your garden is through partnerships with people or organizations who may not be directly involved in the garden but are willing to offer their service and support to the garden for free or at a low cost. 

There are many groups who may be able to help with your garden. Some possible partners could include:

• Horticultural organizations can provide helpful tips on growing vegetables and fruits in your area and may have other resources to share.
• Local farms and other community gardens may be able to provide advice as well as seedlings or transplants for the garden. You could offer pre-season garden workshops with local farms or gardens.
• City, town, or municipal governments may be able to provide access to land, soil, or water.
• Hardware and gardening stores may be able to donate items such as tools, materials, and seeds.
• Trades people may be able to offer electrical, construction, or landscaping support.
• Funding agencies may cover the costs of supplies, tools, garden set up, hoses, rain barrels, or wages. 
• Churches, service clubs, and non-profit groups may offer supplies, support, donations, and community contacts. Some local groups may be able to donate labour.
• Schools often enjoy outdoor classrooms in a community garden. Growing vegetables and plants can be a part of science, social studies, math, physical education, or art. Students can help with garden tasks as they learn.
• Niagara Community Garden Network This is a mutual support network of community garden coordinators, many of whom have been working in community gardens for many years and can help mentor and guide you through the process!

GRANTS

There are a variety of different kinds of granting organizations to consider for community gardens. 

Be mindful that in order to qualify for funding, you are likely to have to meet certain criteria and funders usually have priority areas that they fund so be clear on the goals of your garden.  It’s important to make sure you are careful to apply for funding or grants that match your project – are you looking to build social cohesion in your community, reduce the effects of food insecurity, promote environmental sustainability?  Look for funders who support your garden’s overall goals so you can communicate and demonstrate how your project meets their criteria and how their funding will benefit your community.  Make sure you’re aware of application deadlines before you start the process of applying!

Funding agencies may be able to help cover the costs of starting, maintaining or expanding your garden.  Here are some potential funders to consider:

Niagara Community Garden Network – we have an annual shared budget for community gardens provided by United Way Niagara.  Through this we  have funds available for helping with some of the costs to set up new gardens with community partners, and funds available to support existing community gardens for ongoing garden needs (lumber for repairs, tools, seeds, etc).

United Way Niagara – they have granting steams such as Special Projects Funding which may be appropriate for larger projects.

Niagara Community Foundation – local funder offering various funding streams that may be applicable including environmental and community grants.

TD Friends of the Environment Fund – grants available for environmental and school garden projects.

Ontario Trillium Foundation – offers a range of grants for non profits.

Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation – invests in projects that strengthen the Greenbelt.

Farm Credit Canada Agrispirit Fund – funding available for capital projects.

Not a non-profit or registered charity?  Reach out to us and we can discuss ways to support your project through partnerships!

Government grants:  Some local councils and town trusts can offer grants and funding aimed at projects for community benefit. They may have different levels of funding to support projects.

CROWDFUNDING + FUNDRAISING

It might also be worth setting up your own fundraising page through credible websites such as dedicated crowdfunding platforms for building community-focused initiatives.

Before you begin to approach these funding platforms, first identify any costs involved so that you are clear to the people you approach where their money will go.

Funding Your Community Garden – Growing Communities WA

10 Tips for Successful Fundraising – Community Food Centres of Canada

Sample Budget Worksheet

FREE RESOURCES

There are great websites such as Freecycle where you can ask for things you are looking for to avoid them going to landfill.

Other websites link up people who can offer specific skills with those who need them but again, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s often easier to ask for help for specific jobs rather than help in general. People are more likely to offer to help with something they feel comfortable with rather than not knowing what they would be doing.

DONATIONS

A lot of community gardens get support from those who can donate items to the cause, rather than money. And these can be equally as helpful. Donations of equipment and tools too might just come your way, so don’t be afraid to ask around! 

Also, as a tip, remember to approach smaller local businesses if you are looking for prizes to run a raffle.