Community Garden Grant Guidelines
If you are interested in applying for the Community Garden Grant, please read through the guidelines documents below to ensure you are providing the required documentation to support your proposal and to satisfy the grant requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: The application window remains open as long as there are funds available. The application will be taken down when funds are exhausted. Apply at any time.
Community Garden Grant Guidelines in DOC (Microsoft Word)
Community Garden Grant Guidelines in PDF (Adobe Acrobat)
Please keep these Guidelines and the Criteria Ranking (below) in mind when filling out the application at the bottom of this page. All applications must be submitted to the City of Dallas.
If you need assistance with the application form or would like to request a cursory review of your application prior to submitting, please email us with your question(s) or your application (along with any attachments). This is an offer to assist you in completing your application only; applicants will need to develop their own proposal and community connections.
The City of Dallas reserves the right to automatically reject any project submitted that will result in a conflict with City services, goes against the vision and/or mission of the organization, or is deemed or otherwise unacceptable. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis until fund is exhausted. See Guidelines for details.
Application Criteria Ranking
Section 1: Community Needs
(20 points maximum)
Is the proposed/existing garden…
…in a food desert? 4 points
…in a CDBG eligible census track? 4 points
…in an Enterprise Zone? 4 points
…in a NIP census track? 4 points
…in an apartment complex? 4 points
…not in an apartment complex but within 1 mile of one? 2 points
Make sure your narrative and documentation support this.
Section 2: Project/Program Idea Description
(36 points maximum)
Will the proposal…
…add plots to an existing garden…
…increasing growing area by 25%-50%? 10 points
…increasing growing area over 50%? 20 points
-OR-
…create a new garden with at least…
…10 plots creating ≥320 sf of growing area? 10 points
…15 plots creating ≥480 sf of growing area? 15 points
…20 plots creating ≥640 sf of growing area? 20 points
Will the proposal…
…use water conservation practices by…
…installing a drip irrigation system? 5 points
…installing a rain collection and storage system? 6 points
Will the garden be used for…
…year round food production? 5 points
…one season of food production plus one season of flowers? 2 points
Make sure your narrative and documentation support this.
Section 3: Planning for Community Involvement
(28 points maximum)
Has the applicant provided documentation of a partnership for the term of the grant with…
…a CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization)? 4 points
…a school, church or library? 4 points
…a HOA/NA? 4 points
…a local business? 4 points
…another type of non-profit organization? 4 points
Has the garden provided commitments to the garden from…
…1 – 4 unique users from within 1 mile of garden each with plot(s)? 2 points*
…5 – 9 unique users from within 1 mile of garden each with plots? 4 points*
…10 or more unique users from within 1 mile of garden each with plots? 6 points*
*If all unique users are from an apartment complex within 1 mile of garden, points double (provide documentation)
USERS: May be individuals from different addresses or a group, such as from a HOA/Scout Troop/School, etc.
COMMITMENTS: letters of agreement committing the signatories to the garden for three years from the award date
Make sure your narrative and documentation support this.
Section 4: Project and Outreach Plans
(16 points maximum)
Has the applicant provided/attached…
…commitments to provide community outreach/involvement in the form of…
…annual neighborhood tour/picnic/event at harvest time to educate the neighborhood on the value of gardening or sustainability? 2 points
…agreements to teach the value of gardening at a school? 2 points
…hosting field trips from schools at the garden to teach? 2 points
…donating at least 20% of the produced food to a food bank? 10 points
Make sure your narrative and documentation support this.
Applicants must provide documentation to show they meet program requirements. Applications must include a full detailed line-item budget listing anticipated costs for equipment and a full detailed plan including sketches or pictures. Applicant agrees to serve as responsible party for the garden, including any violations, complaints, or addressing nuisances.
- Audits will be conducted at least annually by City of Dallas staff.
- Garden must remain in compliance with existing City code for full duration of grant award.
- Garden must document continuation of program requirements (including organic gardening practices, amounts donated to local food bank, maintenance of water conserving practices) for duration of grant award and provide this documentation upon request to City staff.
- Awardees must register as a City of Dallas vendor.
- City of Dallas reserves the right to award less than sought amount at its discretion.
Once awardees have been notified of award, they must submit original receipts requesting reimbursement and Vendor Number to the City of Dallas, Office of Environmental Quality, 1500 Marilla Street, Room 7AN, Dallas, TX 75201 Attn: Community Garden Grant Fund Program. Reimbursements will be issued electronically. Any funds not requested for reimbursement within 120 days of award shall be forfeited and returned to the Community Garden Grant Fund for future grants.
Good luck! And remember, upload necessary supporting documentation with each section.
Click here to apply.
