Hi again 4-H’ers! We hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Here in Central Florida it couldn’t be more perfect outside! On that note, we’re back this week with a few more grants and scholarships inspired by the great outdoors.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck to everyone!

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Youth Incentive Award for the Study of Beetles

Estimated Deadline: November 2011


Any beetle enthusiasts out there? You could be the recipient of a cash award from The Coleopterists Society, an international organization devoted to the study of beetles. Each year The Society provides two cash awards of $150 each to a Junior and Senior  recipient.
Award recipients also will receive funds to purchase equipment from BioQuip and a one-year subscription to The Coleopterists Bulletin. That’s everything you need to make your 4-H beetle project a success! Applications are typically due in November, which gives you plenty of time to get your proposal together for next year.

Learn more about the Youth Incentive Award and see previous winners here. (Applications for next year will also be posted to this site when they become available, so be sure to check back if you’re planning to apply.)

Esri GIS Grants for U.S. 4-H Programs

Estimated Deadline: December 2011

Geographic information system (GIS) technology manufacturer Esri will once again be offering grants to foster and support the integration of GIS software in U.S. 4-Hclubs. Since 2004, Esri has awarded 4-H clubs in more than 700 U.S. counties with ArcView and ArcPad software and Virtual Campus training.

Esri’s GIS Grants help 4-H clubs to institute or expand the use of GIS in their activities, with the overall goal of using the technology to make a difference in their community service projects.

Applications for the 2012 award year will be due at the end of this year, but it’s never too early to start preparing your proposal! Learn more about Esri’s 4-H GIS program and stay current on next year’s grant opportunities here.

Annie’s Grants for Gardens


Deadline: Rolling

How does your garden grow? With a grant from Annie’s Homegrown, it just might grow even better! Annie’s offers a limited number of small grants to schools and nonprofit organizations each year.

These funds may be used to buy gardening tools, seeds or other gardening supplies needed to complete your project. Annie’s Grants for Gardens are given to groups that focus on school and community gardens or sustainable agriculture, so if this sounds like your club, read the complete guidelines and fill out an application here.

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Well, that wraps up this “Mother Nature” inspired series of grant and scholarship opportunities. We hope you found one (or more!) that put a spring in your step—and your 4-H activities. And of course, if you know of an opportunity that we haven’t featured here, please tell us about it in the comment field below!

Hey 4-H’ers! As we continue our roundup of grants and scholarships inspired by nature, we’ve found some very exciting opportunities this week. So get working on those applications and good luck!

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FishAmerica Foundation Grants



Deadline: Varies

Any 4-H fishers out there? We hope so, because this opportunity is perfect for you! The FishAmerica Foundation provides funding for hands on-projects at the local level thatbenefit sport fishing populations and the sport of fishing.

A variety of grants are offered at different times throughout the year, for projects focusing on subjects such as enhancing fish populations, restoring habitats and improving water quality. Applications are accepted year-round, so we suggest you check the FishAmerica’s website grants page often to see which grants are available and apply for one that fits your needs. We hope you hook this great opportunity!




Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Orchard Grants

Deadline: Rolling

Want to help out the earth and get free fresh fruit for your good efforts? Presented by the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, Fruit Tree Orchard Grants provide high-quality fruit trees and shrubs to recipients such as nonprofit clubs and public schools who pledge to care for the trees and utilize them for a charitable purpose.

So if you’re interested in a 4-H project that’s healthy for both the surrounding environment and for the community, this one’s for you! This document will tell you more about the program including how to apply.

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program


Deadline: October 15, 2011

Established by Wild Ones in 1996, the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program gives small monetary grants to schools, nature centers and nonprofits for stewardshipprojects using native plants.

Successful non-school applicants are often partnerships between a groups such as 4-H and site owners, so this would be a great opportunity to reach out to your local community! Cash awards range from $100 to $500, to use toward the purchase of native plants and seeds.

Learn more about this grant program and download an application here.

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Tune in next week for more grants and scholarships to keep on your radar. And as always, if you know about an opportunity that we haven’t featured here, you can tell us about it in the comment field below!

Hello again 4-H’ers! We hope everyone’s had a great St. Patrick’s Day. We certainly did!

We also hope everyone enjoyed the first “official” day of spring. On that note, we’re back this week with some more spring-inspired grant and scholarship opportunities. Get those applications submitted and good luck to everyone!

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It’s All About the Fruit! Grant Program

Deadline: April 11, 2011

Sponsored by Jamba Juice, the It’s All About the Fruit grant program provides schools and organizations with fruit trees to create engaging nutrition and gardening experiences.

20 recipients will receive fruit trees valued at $500 and the Jamba Juice It’s All About the Fruit Youth Garden Guide. Recipients will be selected based on plans to promote nutrition education, ideas for incorporating fruit tree activities into the curriculum, and ability to sustain the program over multiple years.

This April deadline will be here before you know it, so come on 4-H leaders, get those creative “juices” flowing! Learn more and download an application here.

Shade Structure Program

Deadline: April 22, 2011

Chances are, many of your 4-H club’s projects and events take place outside in the sun. Wouldn’t it be cool (no pun intended) to be able to provide shade and UV ray protection in an area where your club meets or spends a lot of time?

The American Academy of Dermatology awards grants in the amount of $8,000 each for the purchase of permanent shade structures for nonprofit organizations serving children and teens who are 18 and younger. The AAD also provides a permanent sign to be displayed near the shade structure that promotes the importance of sun safety.

Find out if your club is eligible and learn how you can get sponsored by an AAD member dermatologist.

California State Beekeepers Association Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2011

Hey Californians, check out this scholarship buzz: The California State Beekeepers Association is offering one $500 scholarship to a 4-H’er who has participated in a beekeeping project at any time during their 4-H membership. Students pursuing any field of scholastic endeavor are eligible for the award, but preference will be given to those students who plan to enter the bee industry.

For directions on how to apply, and to see other scholarships offered by the California 4-H Youth Development Program, click here. (Information about the Beekeepers Association Scholarship can be found on page 4 of this PDF.)

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That wraps up this week’s grant and scholarship findings! Come back next week to discover more opportunities. And if you know of something we haven’t featured here, please tell us about it in the comment field below!

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