Garden Programming Mini-Grants for Micro-Community Sites

A woman admires her onions in a raised garden bed

Overview

Denver’s office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency, is seeking qualified service providers to facilitate the ongoing maintenance and stewardship of urban gardens. Service providers will also facilitate the delivery of corresponding horticulture programs at micro-community sites.

The city is offering up to $20,000 to three organizations ($60,000 total) to provide horticulture and gardening programming and support at three All-in Mile High micro-community sites. One provider will be selected for each site. 

Applications for this program are now open. We will be accepting applications until March 13, 11:59pm.

All applications must be received through the Submittable Portal.

Applications for 2026 are closed. 

Program Details

The service provider for each micro-community site will be expected to provide:

  • Planting, maintenance, and enhancement of garden features such as raised beds, planters, and container gardens in outdoor common areas
    • Seasonal plant selection should reflect site-specific conditions and incorporate community input, with an emphasis on water-efficient, ecologically beneficial, native, and climate-adaptive species
  • Community engagement to inform ongoing site, garden, and program design 
  • Ongoing support to community members who are gardening in individual planters within their assigned patio spaces
  • Community events, educational programs, workshops, and volunteer activities to involve residents in gardening and stewardship efforts
  • Continued care and maintenance of all greenery within the common spaces through regular service visits
  • Training and guidance to site operators and interested residents to support long-term sustainability of landscaped areas

Project design and program delivery may vary based on specific site conditions and needs.

Eligibility

Applicants for this funding must:

  • Have demonstrable experience with garden education, garden design, urban agriculture, landscaping and/or horticulture
  • Be able to provide a Certificate Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State
  • Be able to start work upon award and have a timeline of no more than 12 months
  • Prioritize work within the 2026 growing season   

This funding is available to both nonprofit and for-profit (sole proprietorships or LLCs) organizations.

Micro-Community Site Locations 

This program is seeking organizations to provide support at three pre-selected micro-community sites:

  • 2301 S. Santa Fe Drive located in District 7, Overland Park Neighborhood:
    • This site has capacity for 60 shelter units and is designated as single occupancy for adults.
  • 12033 E. 38th Avenue located in District 8, Central Park Neighborhood:
    • This site has capacity for 50 shelter units and is designated as single occupancy for adults. 
  • 1375 N. Elati Street located in District 10, Golden Triangle (Civic Center) Neighborhood: 
    • This site has capacity for 44 shelter units and is designated as single occupancy, prioritizing trans and non-binary adults. 

Application Process

Applications for this program are now open. We will be accepting applications until March 13, 11:59pm.

All applications must be received through the Submittable Portal.

Applications for 2026 are closed. 

Your application will need to include:

  • An IRS for W9 for your organization
  • A Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State
  • A proposed budget that shows expected expenses* for:
    • Staffing (salary & fringe for program delivery)
    • Growing Supplies (plants, soil, seeds, growing kits, mulch, 
    • Replacement Supplies (pots, hand tools, harvest supplies, gloves etc.) 
    • Program Supplies (printing, workshop materials, supplementary cooking supplies, etc.) 
    • Stipends and/or gift-cards for program participants 
    • Operation Costs (staff transportation costs, shipping/delivery fees) 

*Water costs will be covered by the site.

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