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Plot It Fresh Mini-Grant Program

Background

The Plot It Fresh Mini-Grant Program extends the goals of the Growing & Urban Agriculture focus area of the Nourishing Newark Community Grants Program, which aims to support community-based growers, urban farmers and gardeners in Newark to 1) expand or significantly improve their production of fresh healthy food; and 2) make it available to families experiencing food insecurity, either directly or through partner relationships with pantries and other free or low-cost distribution entities. For more information about the Nourishing Newark Community Grants Program, see here.

Program Overview

The Plot It Fresh Mini-Grant Program supports projects that expand the production of fresh, healthy foods in Newark, NJ through community gardens and urban farms. Through this program, Greater Newark Conservancy will provide funding to assist community-based growers, urban farmers, and other gardeners in Newark to 1) establish new community gardens/urban farms, 2) expand existing community gardens/urban farms, or 3) develop programs that connect residents to community gardens/urban farms.

Grant Funding Available: Multiple grants of up to $5,000; Total of $32,000 to be awarded.

For more information, please watch this video of our Plot It Fresh Mini-Grant Information Session.

Click here for the PIF Mini-Grant Info Session Slide Deck 

Funding Categories – Projects will be funded based on the following categories. Please note: This grant program will NOT fund improvements to a single, privately owned residential property.

  • Seedling Grants - for projects that seek to establish new community gardens/urban farms
  • Blooming Grants - for projects that seek to expand the infrastructure of existing community gardens/urban farms
  • Connection Grants - for projects that seek to connect residents to community gardens/urban farms through garden-based programming

Eligibility – the following are eligible to apply for the Plot It Fresh Mini-Grant Program:

  • Community and/or civic organizations
  • Neighborhood/Block associations
  • Faith-based organizations, committees/groups and/or ministries
  • Individuals - may apply without a partner organization if sufficient fiscal management can be demonstrated

Grant Process & Timeline

  • November 7, 2022 – Applications Open
  • November 14, 2022 - Info Session # 1 - Register Here
  • December 1, 2022 - Info Session # 2 - Register Here
  • January 6, 2023 – Applications Close
  • January 2023 – Application Review
  • February/March 2023 – Awards Announced
  • March – August 2023 – Project Implementation
  • September 2023 – Final Reports Due

SECTION 1: PROPOSAL COVER SHEET

Applicant Information

First Name *
Last Name *
Country
Address Line 1 *
Address Line 2
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *
Country
Address Line 1 *
Address Line 2
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *
Type of Applicant
Funding Category

SECTION 2: PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

Project Overview - Provide a description of your proposed project. What are the major activities, objectives, and goals? Describe in detail how your project will combat food insecurity and provide low-income households with direct access to fresh, locally-grown produce. In particular, describe how your project will work towards the Growing & Urban Agriculture focus area of the Nourishing Newark Community Grants Program. [500 word limit]

  • Seedling Grant Applicants: Why do you want to build a community garden/urban farm? What is your vision for this new community garden/urban farm? How do you expect to maintain and grow the community garden in the next few years? Please describe how the surrounding neighborhood and community will benefit from the garden/farm.
  • Blooming Grant Applicants: Why do you want to expand and/or make improvements to the community garden/urban farm? What is your vision for this community garden/urban farm? How will this project move you closer to that vision? Please describe how the surrounding neighborhood and community will benefit from the expansion of the garden/farm.
  • Connection Grant Applicants: Why do you want to implement programming at this particular community garden/urban farm? What is your vision for supporting the community garden/urban farm with programming? Please describe how the surrounding neighborhood and community will benefit from additional programming at the garden/farm.

Project Background - How did this project idea come about? Why now? What are the current food security conditions in your project area? How does this project build and expand on previous work related to food insecurity and fresh food access? [500 word limit]

Project Timeline/Work Plan - List and describe the major activities/milestones of your project. Note the responsible individual/entity for each activity and describe their qualifications. [500 word limit]

Capacity and Readiness to Undertake Project – Describe your capacity to successfully implement this project. Provide the names and key qualifications of individuals who will support this project. Additionally, are there any obstacles or roadblocks that could limit the success of your project? How do you intend to address these potential challenges? Have you secured the appropriate permissions needed to advance this project? [500 word limit]

Outreach - How will you advertise and promote the project? [500 word limit]

SECTION 3: TARGET POPULATION

Project Service/Coverage Area (check all that apply)
Is the project taking place within, or serving persons living within the NJEDA’s identified food deserts?

For a map of NJEDA-identified food deserts, click here.

SECTION 4: ATTACHMENTS

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Please note: Applicants are not required to use the provided budget template. However, the submitted budget must clearly outline the project name; recipient; project start/end dates; and supplies/materials/etc. with associated expenses.

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