About this Opportunity
Faith in Place's Native & Pollinator Garden Grant opportunity will give small grants of up to $1,000 to non-profit organizations (501(c)3s) and Houses of Worship located in deprived communities to support the planting of nature-based climate solutions.
Each grant will amount up to $1,000 and we will select 12-14 grantees. The duration of this grant is 3 years so that the trees and plants have time to establish and thrive.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be:
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Located in Lake County, IL or Milwaukee County, WI
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Located in a census tract identified as "Disadvantaged" according to the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJEST) (learn how to see if you are in a qualifying community here)
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Be a 501(c)(3) or House of Worship
Grant Expectations:
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Complete your grant objectives as laid out in your application
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Participate in bi-weekly coaching and community networking throughout the duration of the grant
How To Apply: The 2-Step Process
Grant Applications will open on February 21, 2025. The deadline for submitting applications is March 21, 2025. You will use Faith in Place’s grant portal to complete the following steps:
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Complete the eligibility survey (takes around 10 min to complete) Please submit your basic information (location, organization information including 501(c)(3) letter if you are not a House of Worship, and your contact information) through our LOI form on our grant portal here. Instructions for completing this process are available here (LINK).
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Submit your application (takes around 1 hour to complete): If you are eligible, you will receive an invitation to complete the full application (questions are listed on the next page) through the grant portal.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about how to access or use the Grants Portal, feel free to email us at Grants@faithinplace.org.
Potential Projects
Below are some examples of projects that this opportunity could support. For more examples, please explore this Toolkit!
Community Garden
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Startup Cost: $200-$400 for seeds, soil, compost, and basic gardening tools.
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Maintenance: Volunteer help and seasonal planting can keep costs minimal.
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Impact: Promotes local food resilience, carbon sequestration through plant growth, and community engagement.
Tree Planting and Care Initiative
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Startup Cost: $100-$300 for saplings of native trees.
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Maintenance: Basic supplies like mulch and water buckets; partnering with local volunteers can help with care.
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Impact: Trees help absorb CO2, improve air quality, and provide shade to lower local temperatures.
Pollinator Habitat Garden
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Startup Cost: $150-$300 for native flowering plants and soil amendments.
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Maintenance: Minimal upkeep aside from seasonal weeding and mulching.
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Impact: Supports pollinator populations and helps in plant reproduction, contributing to biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not see your question on the FAQ, please email Grants@faithinplace.org.
Who can participate in this opportunity?
This opportunity is open to Houses of Worship and affiliated community-based organizations in the southeast quadrant of Wisconsin (from Madison to Milwaukee). Participants must own their facilities, and buildings should be open multiple hours throughout the week (beyond worship hours.)
How do we apply for this opportunity?
Your first step in the process is to complete the interest form. It should take around 15 minutes to complete this interest form.
To complete the form, you will need the following information:
Your organization’s legal name
Name and information for a primary and secondary contact
Approximate square feet of the building
Building hours or operation for an average week
Electric Service Provider
Gas Service Provider
Where is this opportunity being offered?
The Empowering Faith Communities Pilot is currently serving Houses of Worship and their associated nonprofit organizations in the southeastern quadrant of Wisconsin (between Madison and Milwaukee). If your organization is outside that area, please submit the application as an expression of interest as the pilot service territory expands.
What is FOCUS ON ENERGY®?
Focus on Energy is a statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, helping eligible residents and businesses save energy and money while protecting the environment. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that otherwise would not be completed.
What is a Faith in Place Green Team? And why do we need to establish one to participate in this program?
A Green Team is a group of three or more people from a House of Worship who provide leadership to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities. Each Green Team at Faith in Place is connected with a coach who will provide guidance, resources and programming from Faith in Place. Learn more about Green Teams here.
Making upgrades in a House of Worship can feel like a major endeavor. When your House of Worship establishes a Green Team, Faith in Place can coach your community through the energy efficiency process, while connecting you with other communities that have undertaken similar projects.