Exeter garden clb offers mini-grants

The Beautification Mini-Grant Program

The Exeter Area Garden Club has presented 84 mini grants to Seacoast Area gardeners in the past 9 years. We surpassed our goal of awarding $12,500 in grants to the community as of June, 2018. Public areas both large and small have benefited from the program. Gardeners from Stratham and Exeter as well as those from the greater seacoast area (Barrington-Kingston-Hampton-Epping) have received Mini Grants.

Grant amounts for 2019 are $100 to $400. Applications will be accepted between March 1st and May 1st, so applicants have time to think about what they plan to do once spring arrives. Funds will be forwarded to recipients by May 15th.

Applications should include a description of the work planned, including types of plants. Submission of a plan and a “before” photo with their application and another photo when the project is done is requested.

Applicants may request $100 – $400 per year for a project to be completed within the calendar year.

Applications will be accepted from organizations, community and civic groups, schools, businesses, or individuals from towns in the Exeter area. Only one project may be submitted per group in a given funding round. Preference will be given to new efforts by the applicant to improve a location. Funds should not be used for programs the applicant’s organization is already funding.

Funds are to be used for trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, bulbs, containers, mulching materials, etc. Please be cautious not to use invasive plant species.

No funds shall be used for administrative costs, salaries, tools, or transportation.

Applicants shall maintain an accurate record of expenditures incurred and shall submit, if requested, these records upon project completion. Grant recipients should notify the committee upon completion and submit a photograph of the completed project

Criteria for awarding a grant are need for project is adequately described; project is designed to beautify and enhance a public space; project does not duplicate existing program; a plan is in place for maintenance of the project on a regular basis to include watering, weeding and pruning. Priority is given to applicants with new projects. Repeat applications will be given consideration to complete a project already funded.

If you are, or know of, an individual or a group who would like some financial assistance in sprucing up a public location in your community, please apply. The application form is available on the Community Service page of this website, www.ExeterAreaGardenClub.com.