Who is eligible to apply?
- Individuals, grassroots organizers, home herbalists, small businesses, startup businesses, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
- We give preference to nonprofit organizations that have been established for a minimum of two years. However, nonprofits that haven’t been around for a minimum of two years may still apply.
- Nondenominational religious groups are welcome to apply.
- Unfortunately, 401(c)(4) nonprofit organizations are not eligible.
- The “revenue of less than $250,000” requirement is just for businesses and doesn’t apply to nonprofit budgets.
- One application per organization or business.
When is the grant application due?
This is an important question! We are accepting applications until 11:59 pm (PST) on September 21, 2023.
When will I be contacted if you choose my project?
Winners will be contacted by October 20, 2023, and receive payment within 30 days of validation of your W9. Please be patient as we review the hundreds of applications we receive.
Will I be contacted if I don’t win the grant?
Yes, we will contact everyone who provides an email address. We appreciate all of the time and energy it takes to submit the application and create the short video!
Can I save my grant application and come back to it?
Unfortunately, we don’t have the capability for applicants to create accounts to log in and access saved applications. But stay tuned, we may in the future!
Can grant funds be used to pay for college tuition or herbal school tuition?
This isn’t a scholarship or grant intended for traditional college tuition. The grant can be used for herbal school tuition if its completion will help serve a community size of 25 people or more. You’ll still need to provide details about how your education will, “make the world a better place,” and how it aligns with our core values.
Can the grant be used to pay me or my staff?
We understand that to accomplish your goals, you also need to pay your bills. We’d prefer the grant isn’t used entirely for paying staff but primarily for programming. Please outline a general budget and include other funding sources if you have them to illustrate project stability.
Can the grant be used to repay people for supplies or services?
As long as your project meets the requirements, you can use the funds to pay for supplies and services you’ve already used. Keep in mind, you’ll need to submit a written project update and another short video after six months of receiving funds.
What if my project takes place outside the U.S. or in a U.S. territory?
The projects we fund must take place in the U.S. or U.S. territories. You’re eligible to apply for the grant if your project takes place in a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands). We do require grant recipients to submit a W9 form for tax purposes. The grant is paid by check in U.S. currency.
Can two people apply for the grant together?
If you submit a joint application and win, we will need to issue the payment to both applicants ($2,500 each). Both of you will need to submit 1099 forms. It’s up to you whether you want to include one or two names on the application. Please contact us with questions.
Is there a project start date or deadline to use the grant?
There’s no strict time frame in which folks need to use the entire grant, nor is there a project start date. But remember that winners will be required to participate in an update video/ Zoom interview after six months of receiving the funds.
Who should I use as my references?
Your references can be personal or professional. We recommend you use references that will represent you or your organization well and help you tell your story. We may contact the references of finalists to schedule a phone interview.
Do I have to make a video and post it with the hashtag?
Yes, your application is incomplete without a video. Please create a video that is three minutes or less that describes your project (photo slideshows are acceptable). Then, share your video on either Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube and include the hashtag "#grants4plants". The video must be marked as public.
How do I post a video on these social media channels?
If you search online, there are instructions and video tutorials that can help you post your video and add the hashtag.
What if the quality of my video isn't professional or is more than three minutes long?
We want to make this grant available to everyone, regardless of tech or social media prowess. The quality of your video will not be a factor in winning a grant. If you don’t have a social media account, ask a friend or family member to post it for you. That still counts! A video that’s a little over three minutes does lose a few points, but it doesn’t disqualify the application.
