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In 2023, The Hillsborough Garden Club (HGC) announced  a new competitive grant program to support local organizations and individuals that carry out public programs or projects that promote horticultural, gardening, or other efforts to protect and conserve our natural resources or that educates the public about these topics Applicants must serve greater Hillsborough and northern Orange County. Each award will be limited to $2,000. (See downloadable Grant Application form)

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The HGC will sponsor two grant cycles each year. The deadline for applications for the Fall award is 5 p.m., September 15. The deadline for the Spring award is February 15.  Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered.

 

Interested applicants may participate in an online information session, which is usually held 30 days prior to the deadline.  Members of the Philanthropy Committee will answer your questions. Registration is required: email Hillsboroughgardenclubnc@gmail.com; include your name, email, and organization. You may register at any time. We will email you the date, time, and a zoom link for the information session.  ​

 

 

GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!     

 

Eligibility Requirements

Nonprofits, charitable organizations, civic organizations, cultural organizations, educational organizations (and their staff, such as teachers) and similar entities in Hillsborough, Northern Orange County, and the Efland area will be eligible to receive grant awards.

Applicants must serve greater Hillsborough and northern Orange County.

 

What is the HGC looking to fund?

The grants aim to support public programs or projects that promote horticultural, gardening, or other efforts to protect and conserve our natural resources, including education about these topics.

 

The criteria include:

How will this benefit the community? 

How will this provide an educational opportunity?

How will this protect our natural resources?

How will this conserve our natural resources?

Who are  the beneficiaries of the project?

What is the geographic area to be served?

How visible will this be? 

What is the Applicant’s capacity to manage and complete the project?

To what extent will our funding be leveraged by other funds/resources?

 

How will the grant be paid?

Each grant recipient will sign the Grant Agreement. 

The HGC will pay grant recipients the total amount at the beginning of the project, unless agreed upon otherwise. 

Grant recipients are expected to retain and make available receipts, photos, reports, news articles and other proof of relevant expenditures for the project and to make required status reports at least every six months and at the conclusion of the project.

The grantee will be responsible for hiring vendors, consultants, or other specialists, paying relevant expenses and purchasing materials to accomplish the project.

 

Who Judges the Applications and How is the Money Distributed?

The Club’s Philanthropy Subcommittee will review the applications and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors by the October and March Board meetings. 

The Club’s Board of Directors makes the final funding decisions.

Immediately following the Board approval, a grant agreement will be drafted by the Subcommittee members and signed by all parties. Funds will be released as per the agreement. ​