News Releases
COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 19, 2012)—From children’s gardens that inspire learning and imagination, to therapy gardens that enhance physical rehabilitation, ScottsMiracle-Gro and The Columbus Foundation have been helping communities grow gardens and green spaces across Central Ohio for the past 10 years. To date, more than 100 local gardens and green spaces have been supported through the Scotts Miracle-Gro Community Garden Academy Fund at The Columbus Foundation.
ScottsMiracle-Gro and The Columbus Foundation today announce their 10th year of funding for local organizations that are developing gardens and green spaces in their community. The ScottsMiracle-Gro Community Garden Academy Grants applications are available on GO! Grants Online, the Foundation’s online grantmaking center. Grants of up to $4,000 are available for qualified projects in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Grants will include monetary and in-kind product from ScottsMiracle-Gro and educational opportunities through Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
“The Foundation congratulates ScottsMiracle-Gro for 10 years of leadership and success in expanding sustainable gardening and green spaces throughout the community,” said Columbus Foundation President and CEO Douglas F. Kridler. “Through the grants program, many residents and neighborhoods have participated in sustainable gardening and conservation projects that collectively have a positive impact on our health and our environment.”
The ScottsMiracle-Gro Community Garden Academy Fund was established in 2002 through The Columbus Foundation to support a variety of community garden projects in central Ohio. The Fund aims to create an oasis of gardens and green spaces in the Columbus area that will serve as communal gathering places for neighborhoods.
“Gardens have the unique ability to bring people and communities together to learn and grow,” said Su Lok, director, ScottsMiracle-Gro Corporate and Community Partnerships. “We are proud to have helped so many organizations in Central Ohio cultivate their own greenscapes over the last decade.”
Applicants may request support for community gardens or nontraditional gardens, including farmers’ markets, school gardens, artistic gardens, and beautification efforts. Funding is available to new and existing gardens; grants awarded may include in-kind support. Successful garden projects should involve neighborhood residents, demonstrate positive measurable outcomes, and meet stated objectives. Applicants are required to be a 501(c)(3) organization or have a fiscal agent to receive funds.
Details about the program, including the application deadline, can be found at http://columbusfoundation.org/grants/columbus-foundation/scotts/
Please contact Ann Dodson at adodson@columbusfoundation.org or 614/251-4000 with questions.
About ScottsMiracle-Gro With approximately $3 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In the U.S., we operate Scotts LawnService®, the second largest residential lawn care service business. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.
The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to nearly 2,000 individuals, families, businesses, and communities that have created unique funds and foundations to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. The Foundation provides expert resources to donors interested in current and future giving to benefit the causes they care about. Serving the region for 68 years, The Columbus Foundation is one of the ten largest community foundations in the United States today. The Foundation’s online resource, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for everyone to find valuable information about central Ohio nonprofits. For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.
