Gardens for Children Grants

Why Gardens Matter for Children

Gardens offer children something indoor spaces cannot replicate. Time outdoors: digging in soil, watching insects, or simply running around: supports physical activity and mental wellbeing. For schools, nurseries, and community groups, access to a garden gives children regular contact with nature.

Parents and carers value gardens as relatively safe environments for play and exploration. Community gardens serve a similar purpose, providing shared outdoor space where private gardens are limited.

Creating or improving a garden space requires funding. Seeds, tools, raised beds, fencing, and maintenance all cost money. Several grant schemes help schools and community groups develop garden projects, though finding and securing funding requires research and preparation.

Grant Eligibility Finder

Tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application.

Try our Grant Eligibility Finder free, here on this site →

School Gardening Grants

Schools across the UK can apply for various grants to support gardening projects. These typically provide funding for tools, plants, seeds, and materials.

The Royal Horticultural Society runs the Campaign for School Gardening, providing resources, advice, and support for schools wanting to develop outdoor growing spaces. Schools can register with the RHS to access these resources, though the campaign primarily offers tools and awards rather than direct cash grants. Check the RHS website for current offerings.

Garden centre chains and horticultural businesses occasionally run award schemes for schools, often offering vouchers rather than cash. Check directly with major garden retailers for current opportunities, as these schemes open and close throughout the year.

When applying, demonstrate:

• How the garden will support learning across different subjects
• The number of children who will benefit
• Plans for maintaining the garden over time
• Connections with the wider school community
• Links to healthy eating or environmental education

Grant providers favour applications showing clear planning and community involvement. A project involving pupils, staff, parents, and local volunteers will often be viewed more favourably than one with limited participation.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Community Garden Funding

Community gardens serving children and families can access funding through several routes. These spaces bring together people of different ages and backgrounds, which appeals to many funders.

The National Lottery Community Fund supports projects benefiting local communities across the UK. Their programmes change over time, but they frequently support green space and environmental projects. Grants range from a few hundred pounds for small projects to six-figure sums for larger schemes. Check the National Lottery Community Fund website for current programmes in your area. Each UK nation has its own application process and priorities.

Local authorities sometimes offer small grants for community projects, including gardens. Contact your local council about community grants and whether garden projects qualify. Housing associations occasionally fund garden projects on their estates or nearby areas.

The Gardens Trust operates in England with a network of county gardens trusts. While focused on historic gardens, some local trusts also support educational projects. Contact your local trust directly about current funding opportunities.

For projects involving historic gardens, organisations such as Historic England, Cadw in Wales, Historic Environment Scotland, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency may offer advice on funding routes. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has previously supported garden restoration projects, though applications require detailed documentation of historical significance.

Finding and Applying for Grants

Funding availability changes regularly. Start by identifying your organisation type: school, registered charity, community interest company, or informal group. This affects which grants you can apply for.

Useful starting points:

• National Lottery Community Fund website
• Royal Horticultural Society for school gardening resources
• Your local council website for community grants
• The Gardens Trust for local trust contacts in England
• Groundwork UK for community environmental projects
• Local community foundations for area-specific grants

Read eligibility criteria carefully before applying. Check whether the funder supports projects in your area, whether your organisation qualifies, and whether your project fits their priorities.

Most applications ask for a project description, budget breakdown, and organisation information. Be realistic about costs and include supplier quotes. Avoid vague budgets, and explain how the garden will be maintained after initial funding ends. Funders want lasting benefit, not a garden that falls into disuse after one season.

Letters from parents, residents, or partner organisations can strengthen applications. Photographs of the proposed site help funders picture what you want to achieve.

Timescales vary: some small grants have turnaround times of a few weeks, while larger grants may take months. Plan ahead rather than assuming funding will arrive for a specific planting season. If unsuccessful, ask for feedback to improve future bids.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Grant Eligibility Finder lets you tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application. Try it now →