COMMUNITY GRANTS
Purpose: In 2023, The Hillsborough Garden Club (HGC) announced a new competitive grant program to support local organizations and individuals that conduct 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. The cap is $2,000 and awards can range from $500-$2,000. (See downloadable Grant Application form)
How to apply: Before applying, interested applicants may request an online or phone consultation by emailing hillsboroughgardenclubnc@gmail.com with “Grant Info” in the subject line. A member of the Philanthropy Committee will contact you to answer your questions.
Schedule: The HGC will sponsor two grant cycles each year. The application deadline for the Fall award is 5 pm September 15. The deadline for the Spring award is 5 pm February 15. Applications may be submitted electronically and must be received by the deadline to be considered.
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?
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 Board approval, a grant agreement will be drafted by the Subcommittee members and signed by all parties.
How will grant funds be paid?
Each successful applicant will sign the Grant Agreement (See Grant Agreement tab). The HGC will pay grant recipients the total amount at the beginning of the project, unless agreed upon otherwise. At the conclusion of the project, any unexpended funds must be returned to the HGC.
Accountability: The grantee will be responsible for hiring vendors, consultants, or other specialists, paying relevant expenses and purchasing materials to accomplish the project. Grant recipients are expected to retain and make available for review 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.
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