The fund is part of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation's commitment to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens and greenspaces to more people and more communities, especially in its hometown of Union County. The grant program symbolizes the 100th fund opened at The Union County Foundation and helps further its mission of enhancing the quality of life for local residents.
"We look forward to seeing the impact of this grant program on our community and its well-being for years to come," said Dave Vollrath, Executive Director of The Union County Foundation."We're proud to partner with Scotts Miracle-Gro to bring more gardens and greenspaces into the lives of our residents."
Residing in the Marysville community since 1868, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is deeply rooted in Union County. The corporate headquarters sits only a few miles from where the company was founded 150 years ago, and Scotts Miracle-Gro attributes the local community's support as a critical factor in its success.
"This is a very special time for Scotts Miracle-Gro as we celebrate our 150th anniversary and reflect back on our company's rich history," said Jim King, president and chairman of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. "A big piece of that reflection is giving back to the local community that helped our roots grow so strong."
In its inaugural year, the Hometown Community Garden and Greenspace Grant Fund will support all types of community-driven greenscape projects, including community gardens, school gardens, athletic field refurbishments, beautification efforts, park restorations, and more. All nonprofit organizations having a primary impact in Union County are welcomed to apply.
The 2018 application is available online now at www.unioncountyfoundation.org under "grants and scholarships." The deadline for application submission is October 8, 2018. Monetary grants up to $2,000, as well as product donations, are awarded based on community impact, youth engagement, and sustainability, among other factors. Winners will be announced later this fall.