The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education grant program (SFE) advances Wild Ones’ mission to spread awareness of the benefits of using native plants by providing funding for native plants and native seeds for projects that engage youth (preschool to high school) directly in planning, planting and caring for native plant gardens. Please note that the grant does not fund food gardens or the purchase of non-native plants/seeds.
The 2027 grant application will open on July 15, 2026, and will close on November 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
**Please Note: The SFE grant application is a web-based form that does not allow the saving of drafts.**
Applications must be completed in one session. Applicants are strongly encouraged to compose and save their responses in a word processor in advance and paste them into the web-based form when finalized. Following this process will ensure your responses are not lost if your browser unexpectedly times out or quits while completing the form.
| Planting Season | Application Period | Award Notification | Final Report Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | July 15 – Nov 15, 2024 | Feb 14, 2025 | Feb 28, 2026 |
| 2026 | July 15 – Nov 15, 2025 | Feb 16, 2026 | Mar 1, 2027 |
| 2027 | July 15 – Nov 18, 2026 | Feb 16, 2027 | Feb 28. 2028 |
Applications are only available from July to November, and the form cannot be saved.
This application is currently closed. Thank you!