San Diego Foundation Launches Grants for Urban Trees and Gardens

San Diego Foundation is stepping up for Earth Month with a new grant program. It’s aimed at bringing more greenery to the neighborhoods across our county that need it most.

The Growing Green Spaces Grant Program is putting real money behind community-led projects. These range from planting shade trees to building neighborhood gardens and restoring native habitats.

What the Growing Green Spaces Program is All About

Grants of $15,000 to $40,000 are up for grabs for nonprofit organizations and public entities with plans to green up underused spaces. Projects include planting trees to cool overheated neighborhoods. They also include creating community gardens where people can grow fresh food, and restoring native plants that support local wildlife.

The program is specifically focused on communities that have historically had less access to parks and open spaces. These are areas that also tend to feel the effects of climate challenges like extreme heat, flooding, and poor air quality the hardest.

The People Driving This Initiative

San Diego Foundation’s Vice President and Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer, Pamela Gray Payton, put it simply: “Every family deserves access to nature close to home. Green spaces are places for people to gather, connect with one another, and find peace in the outdoors.”

The initiative is designed to support community leaders. These are people who already have the local knowledge and relationships to turn neglected spaces into places where people actually want to spend time.

Ready to Apply? Here’s What You Need to Know

Applications are available to nonprofits and public entities serving communities across San Diego County. If you’re connected to an organization doing this kind of work – or know someone who is – this is worth sharing.