PNPS Grants
Part of the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society’s mission is to encourage other volunteer organizations, individuals, or groups, who believe in the benefits of planting native plants and the important part these species play in our environment.
We will give small grants to groups working on projects focused on outreach, education, and research related to native plants. Categories for 2025 include student projects, native plant installation in public parks (statewide), and native plant installation in public or private spaces in Justice 40 areas. Please see below for additional detail for each category. The PNPS grant program for 2025 will accept applications from January 15 - February 15, 2025. Winners will be announced March 1, 2025. Student winners will receive their financial award immediately after decisions are made. The other categories will be reimbursed after submitting receipts, reports, and photographs of project installation. You must be a PNPS member to submit a grant application. |
Grant Application Requirements:
You must be a PNPS member to submit a grant application.
Grant winners will be required to accept the award via email after it is announced. Winners will be announced March 1, 2025 and the required response date will be included in that email.
Grant applicants will be required to submit a Letter of Support from the landowner for both native garden installs and research for students. Please have the landowner send an email to [email protected] with their consent, your name, contact information, and project title.
Grant winners are expected to execute their project in 2025.
Grant winners will be required to submit regular updates on their project, a final report, and material to present on their project for the PNPS Annual Meeting (typically held in State College, PA in September or October), PNPS social media accounts, and PNPS newsletter. A schedule for the regular project updates and final report format will be in the winner announcement email. The PNPS Annual meeting presentation will be either an in-person presentation (mileage will be reimbursed) or video presentation. Commitment to attend the Annual Meeting or video presentations will be due by September 1, 2025.
To apply for funds please click the applicable category button below to complete the application and submit it by the Application Deadline. The applications will be reviewed by a committee and the winners will be notified via email.
2025 Grant Categories:
Student project:
The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society is offering grants for students interested in native plants. The grant is open to students of all ages, including scout groups, student-led environmental clubs, and college students. Relevant projects include, but are not limited to, research on native plant species to Pennsylvania, interactions between pollinators or other wildlife and native plants, understanding the effects of invasive plants, or for student groups installing native plants to school grounds or other publicly accessible areas. A successful application will include a project description with research goals, a letter of support from a student advisor or scout leader, a detailed budget, and any relevant permits or permission from the landowner. The winners will receive a check from PNPS.
You must be a PNPS member to submit a grant application.
Grant winners will be required to accept the award via email after it is announced. Winners will be announced March 1, 2025 and the required response date will be included in that email.
- If planning to install a native plant garden, include a species list with at least 50% straight species, i.e., limit use of cultivars or “nativars”.
- Plan to write about 200-500 words to describe your project.
- Include a detailed budget. Research approximate costs for tools, plants, equipment, etc.
Grant applicants will be required to submit a Letter of Support from the landowner for both native garden installs and research for students. Please have the landowner send an email to [email protected] with their consent, your name, contact information, and project title.
Grant winners are expected to execute their project in 2025.
Grant winners will be required to submit regular updates on their project, a final report, and material to present on their project for the PNPS Annual Meeting (typically held in State College, PA in September or October), PNPS social media accounts, and PNPS newsletter. A schedule for the regular project updates and final report format will be in the winner announcement email. The PNPS Annual meeting presentation will be either an in-person presentation (mileage will be reimbursed) or video presentation. Commitment to attend the Annual Meeting or video presentations will be due by September 1, 2025.
To apply for funds please click the applicable category button below to complete the application and submit it by the Application Deadline. The applications will be reviewed by a committee and the winners will be notified via email.
2025 Grant Categories:
Student project:
The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society is offering grants for students interested in native plants. The grant is open to students of all ages, including scout groups, student-led environmental clubs, and college students. Relevant projects include, but are not limited to, research on native plant species to Pennsylvania, interactions between pollinators or other wildlife and native plants, understanding the effects of invasive plants, or for student groups installing native plants to school grounds or other publicly accessible areas. A successful application will include a project description with research goals, a letter of support from a student advisor or scout leader, a detailed budget, and any relevant permits or permission from the landowner. The winners will receive a check from PNPS.
Native plant gardens::
The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society is offering grants for individuals or groups to install native plants. The planting area must be a publicly accessible area. A successful application will include a general description of the project with Pennsylvania native plant species to be planted, a budget, and a letter of support from the landowner. Applicants will be reimbursed after providing purchase receipts, final report, and photographs of installation to PNPS.
The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society is offering grants for individuals or groups to install native plants. The planting area must be a publicly accessible area. A successful application will include a general description of the project with Pennsylvania native plant species to be planted, a budget, and a letter of support from the landowner. Applicants will be reimbursed after providing purchase receipts, final report, and photographs of installation to PNPS.
Justice 40 Area Garden:
The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society is offering grants for individuals or groups to install native plants within a Justice 40 area in Pennsylvania. The planting area can be in either a publicly accessible area or private garden. A successful application will include a description of the project with Pennsylvania native plant species to be planted, a budget, and a letter of support from the landowner. Applicants will be reimbursed after providing purchase receipts, final report, and photographs of installation to PNPS. Please refer to the Justice 40 Map to verify that the location of the project qualifies.
The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society is offering grants for individuals or groups to install native plants within a Justice 40 area in Pennsylvania. The planting area can be in either a publicly accessible area or private garden. A successful application will include a description of the project with Pennsylvania native plant species to be planted, a budget, and a letter of support from the landowner. Applicants will be reimbursed after providing purchase receipts, final report, and photographs of installation to PNPS. Please refer to the Justice 40 Map to verify that the location of the project qualifies.
Questions can be directed to [email protected]
Application Deadline:
The application deadline for 2025 is 11:59 pm (EST), February 15, 2025.
The application deadline for 2025 is 11:59 pm (EST), February 15, 2025.