City Green aims to cultivate community and school gardens across Passaic County in support of fresh, healthy food, habitat restoration, and community beautification. Community and school gardens are spaces where children and adults alike can experience hands-on learning and increased fresh food availability, while forging deeper connection with nature. Through our Dig In! and School Garden Programs, community organizations, municipalities, and schools are invited to apply for a garden. If accepted, local groups will gain the technical, educational, and material support from City Green that is necessary for a successful and sustainable garden.
Dig In! Native Tree, Daffodil Bulb, & Habitat Garden Grants for Passaic County Municipalities, Schools, and Organizations
City Green's Dig In! program awards garden grants in the form of Daffodils, Native Trees, or Habitat Garden Plants to municipalities, schools, faith-based organizations, and community groups/organizations in Passaic County — commercial for-profit entities and private residences are not eligible.
The project must have...
A minimum of three adults committed to the project
Be highly visible to the public and provide an identifiable positive impact to the neighborhood, have workable soil on-site, minimum of 4 hours of sunlight, and access to water (for perennials and trees)
Have an effective site preparation, installment and maintenance plan appropriate for the plants requested
Municipalities that are awarded a grant receive...
3, 5, or 10 native trees
500, 1,000, or 3,000 daffodil bulbs
Native perennial plant kits
Medium: 35 plants (1 gallon pots)
Large: 70 plants (1 gallon pots)
Community groups and organizations that are awarded a grant receive...
1, 3, or 10 native trees
100, 250, or 500 daffodil bulbs
Native perennial plant kits
Small: 15 plants (1 gallon pots)
Medium: 30 plants (1 gallon pots)
Schools that are awarded a grant receive...
100 or 250 daffodil bulbs
Native perennial plant kits
Small: 15 plants (1 gallon pots)
Medium: 30 plants (1 gallon pots)
In all cases, preparation of the site and planting is completed by the grantee and technical assistance, tools, and educational support is readily available from City Green as requested.
When applying, there are separate applications for municipal applicants and community organizations and schools. The grant applications are due August 9th, 2024 and plants will be procured by City Green and are picked up by grantee in October. Note that all native, perennial grantees must attend a mandatory in-person or virtual perennial care training. Additionally, all projects must include a final report that includes: before, during, and after photos of the project, a summary of how the plantings were installed, and a social media post or press release about the project which tags City Green (citygreennj) and Passaic County Board of County Commissioners.
The Grant Timeline will proceed as follows:
Application Period: June 12th, 2024 - August 9th, 2024
Grant Notification: Late August / Early September 2024
Grant Delivery: October 2024
Installation Deadline: November 30th, 2024
Grant Report Due: December 13th, 2024
School Gardens
The School Grounds Network from City Green also awards grants to start gardens, spreading beyond Passaic County and placing a focus on what is needed to support and empower schools as they start their own garden program rooted in their nature-based learning goals.
Only pre-k through middle schools are eligible to apply to the School Grounds Network. High School garden clubs or green teams can apply for garden support within our Dig In! program. Eligible program service area includes: any municipality in Passaic County, and the following towns: Elmwood Park, Garfield, Lodi, Bloomfield, Nutley, Belleville, Montclair. Additionally, schools with 50 - 100% free and reduced lunch will be given preference.
To begin the application process, interested schools can submit the project inquiry form found on the City Green website now through October 18th, 2024 for a 2025 garden installation. Selected schools will be contacted by City Green to schedule a site visit in fall 2024 at the proposed garden site and continue the program application process. Schools selected for the City Green School Garden program can receive a discounted/low-cost garden design, installation and teacher training package provided by City Green staff.
Schools’ inquiries will be reviewed with special attention to the following criteria:
Project Sustainability:
School has a dynamic garden committee with multiple school and community stakeholders and provides detailed plans for an ongoing and long term garden maintenance plan
Garden Site Functionality:
Site is level, has 8 or more hours of sunlight, accessible to a water hook-up, and is safe/accessible for children of ranging abilities.
Clear Program Vision:
School provides a dynamic vision for how students and teachers will regularly utilize gardens to meet curricular objectives and provide opportunities for outdoor, nature-based learning.
Each program works to cultivate a space that will be long-lasting and serve different organizations' specific needs. Here at City Green, we hope to see your application eventually build a garden that is perfect for your community!
Coming soon: Dig In! Community Gardens!
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