Applicant Resources

Whether you are a first time or repeat grant applicant – the following resources can help you navigate your next steps. If you are ready to apply now – go to our main Grants page to review our guidelines and or to our Apply page to complete your funding request.

Newsletter

If you are new to native plants or new to Unity Gardens – a good place to start is to sign up for our monthly newsletter which includes announcements about our grant application process, native gardening tips, educational opportunities and more. You can sign up for our e-newsletter here.

Mentor Program

Information on the availability of mentors for potential Unity Gardens grant applicants

Potential Unity Gardens grant applicants can request a mentor to help guide them through the grant application process. We maintain a pool of people with knowledge about and training in sustainable gardening best practices who can help walk you through all or some of the steps to take to bring your project concept to fruition. Comprised of both Unity Gardens affiliated individuals and Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy graduates, our mentors can help you:

        • Assess your site
        • Provide plant suggestions
        • Guide you through submitting your application including developing your budget and maintenance plans
        • Suggest strategies for addressing site specific challenges.

To be matched with a mentor, fill out our mentor request form online. Alternatively, you can download and complete the Word Doc version and email it to unitygardensaa@gmail.com.

Mentorship requests will be filled on a first come, first served basis, and working with a mentor does not guarantee that your application will be approved.  However, we can guarantee that, by working with one of our mentors, you will learn valuable information on how to create and maintain a native plant garden.

 

Helpful Tips for a Successful Application

Include all the required components! If we have to contact you to clarify or to request missing information, that is not a good sign.

Be sure to use only plants native to the Maryland Coastal Plains ecoregion.  More information on eco-regions and approved resources for determining the native status of plants can be found on our About Native Plants in Anne Arundel County page.

Use our budget template and DO NOT modify any formulas.

Planting plans can be hand drawn or computer generated.  No need to stress about how it looks – we just want to see what you intend to plant and where.

A letter of support from the property owner is required even if your non-profit organization owns the site property.

Examples of application components submitted by previous Unity Gardens grant recipients:

Project Inspiration and Ideas