SeedMoney
SeedMoney Challenge (food garden crowdfunding plus challenge grants)
SeedMoney gives school and community food gardens a free fundraising page with no fees. Gardens that rank well can earn a competitive grant of $100 to $1,000 (plus bonus grants) on top of what they raise. Groups do not need 501(c)(3) status if the garden is nonprofit in purpose.
- Amount
- $100 to $1,000 challenge grant on top of what you raise (plus bonus grants)
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- No: for-profit schools excluded
- Deadline
- Nov 12, 2026 (29 days left)
- Who this fits
- Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opSchool gardens are named. Groups do not need 501(c)(3) status if the project is nonprofit in purpose, so a nonprofit microschool or a co-op running a garden that serves the community may fit. A for-profit school does not.Religious schools: yes
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- National: schools in any US state
- Last checked
- Oct 14, 2026on seedmoney.org
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- Whether a garden used only by one school's own students counts as public
- Whether a for-profit school could take part through a separate nonprofit community garden project
How to apply
- Step 1: Make sure your garden grows food and serves your school community
- Step 2: Gather proof of nonprofit status (501(c)(3) letter, school ID or a letter from a school official)
- Step 3: Apply by November 12, 2026 and set up your campaign page
- Step 4: Share your page with families from November 15 to December 15
- Step 5: Watch for your check in the second week of January
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“it must be run by a nonprofit or community cause that can document its nonprofit or public-service status.”
Only public food gardens qualify (one that serves a community, not a household). You run a free 30-day crowdfunding campaign from November 15 to December 15, keep everything raised, and the top 288 projects by final ranking earn challenge grants (other bonus grants also exist). No 501(c)(3) needed: a school identification or a letter from a school official can show status. New gardens can apply. Every applicant gets a free garden planner ($50 value). A for-profit school's own garden is not a nonprofit cause, so it is marked no; a separate community garden run with a nonprofit partner might still qualify.
- Food garden that is public (serves a community)
- Nonprofit in purpose, with proof such as a school ID or a letter from a school official
- Run a 30-day online fundraiser (Nov 15 to Dec 15)
- One campaign per garden project
Timing
Applications are due November 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The 30-day campaign runs from noon Eastern November 15 to noon Eastern December 15. U.S. checks are mailed the second week of January. Runs every year.