National Garden Bureau Awarded Grants to Five Projects
Public voting helped secure $7,500 in funding to support therapeutic gardening initiatives across the country.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Gardening
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The National Garden Bureau has awarded $7,500 in total grant funding to five therapeutic gardens following a public voting process. The initiative aims to support the expansion of garden-based programs that serve local communities through nature-based therapy.
Why it matters
These grants provide essential financial support for therapeutic gardens to maintain and grow their operations for clients who benefit from horticultural activity. The funding process empowers the public to highlight impactful local projects by participating directly in selection.
The National Garden Bureau distributed $7,500 among five winners, led by the Rising Light Project with a $3,000 grant. Hope Clubhouse received $1,500, while Eagle Mount, Homesteads for Hope, and the NC Botanical Garden each received $1,000 as runners-up.
The players
National Garden Bureau
Based in Downers Grove, Illinois, this non-profit provides horticultural resources and education to gardeners and has done so for 13 years.
Rising Light Project
Located in St. Charles, Illinois, this organization placed first in the grant competition to receive $3,000 in funding.
Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida
Operating in Fort Myers, Florida, this recipient placed second in the public vote and secured a $1,500 grant.
Eagle Mount
This Bozeman, Montana-based organization was named a runner-up in the therapeutic garden grant program.
NC Botanical Garden
Located in Pittsboro, North Carolina, this facility received a $1,000 runner-up grant for its therapeutic efforts.
The details
The grant recipients were selected after judges narrowed applications down to a shortlist of finalists. Following the selection of these finalists, the public cast 16,000 votes during a two-week online period to determine the final rankings and distribution of funds. This competitive process ensures that the awarded grants reach organizations with active community engagement and proven models for therapeutic horticulture.
Timeline
The National Garden Bureau announced the five recipients on October 7, 2026.
The Home Front
This grant distribution follows the National Garden Bureau's 13-year history of providing resources for horticultural development. It reflects a wider trend of supporting therapeutic gardening as a recognized tool for community wellness and residential health.
If you are interested in the benefits of therapeutic gardening, consider looking for similar community-supported projects or botanical programs in your local area. Many of these organizations offer volunteer opportunities or educational workshops that can help you integrate horticultural practices into your own home landscape.
The takeaway
Supporting local therapeutic gardens can provide lasting benefits for community health and well-being. Look into local garden clubs or botanical centers to see if they offer therapeutic programs you can support or attend.
Further reading
Discover more ways to get involved in your area by visiting our Gardening section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Perishable News.
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Do you believe local therapeutic programs deserve more support from your local community institutions?
