The Lots of Compassion Grant program supports local leaders in transforming vacant lots into gardens to help cultivate compassion in their communities.
Donor Name: KidsGardening
State: All States
County: All Counties
Territory: American Samoa, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/16/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
About 15% of populated land is deemed vacant or abandoned, which can lead to many negative outcomes for surrounding neighborhoods, including decreases in physical and mental health and diminished feelings of safety & security. Lots of Compassion aims to provide resources to those seeking to transform vacant lots in their neighborhood into gardens for community growth.
Funding Priorities
The selection of winners is prioritized based on demonstrated need and program impact. KidsGardening considers a variety of factors when determining need, including
- Socioeconomic & Sociodemographic Factors: Does the program exist within or engage a community that has been systematically denied resources, whether physical assets and money or representative leadership and community services? Under-resourced organizations are given priority.
- Program Funding and Support: Does a program have access to consistent, substantial monetary support or prior grant funding? Or are pre-existing resources (financial or otherwise) limited? Organizations experiencing the latter are considered higher need. Organizations experiencing the latter are given priority.
- Impact: Will grant funding dramatically expand learning opportunities for program participants? Does the intended impact reflect the actual needs of the community? Organizations working with greater than 50 people will be given priority.
Funding Information
In 2025, 10 grantees will receive $20,000 each to transform a vacant lot into a garden. A total of $200,000 will be awarded annually.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofit organizations, school districts, universities, religious organizations, or other tax-exempt organizations in the United States and U.S. territories are eligible to apply.
- Groups and individuals are also eligible to apply by partnering with a fiscal sponsor who has achieved tax-exempt status.
- Municipalities, like city, state, or federal government, and politically-funded organizations are not eligible to apply. Previous Lots of Compassion Grant winners are ineligible.
- Organizations must:
- Provide proof of 501(c)(3) status, fiscal sponsorship, or qualify as tax-exempt.
- Support, work with, or serve communities with a majority of individuals that are under-resourced (systematically denied resources and opportunities or currently experiencing hardship such as a natural disaster, etc.)
- Have fifteen or more people participate in the garden program.
- Use the funds to build a garden on a vacant lot.
For more information, visit KidsGardening.
