2027 Seeds for Education Online Application

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.

** 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 separate document 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.

Download 2027 Grant Application Checklist (DOC)
Planting SeasonApplication PeriodAward NotificationFinal Report Due
2025July 15 – Nov 15, 2024Feb 14, 2025Feb 28, 2026
2026July 15 – Nov 15, 2025Feb 16, 2026Mar 1, 2027
2027July 15 – Nov 18, 2026Feb 16, 2027Feb 28. 2028

Applications are only available from July to November, and the form cannot be saved.

SFE Application 2027

Organization Information

Shipping Address
Shipping Address
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
Primary Contact
Primary Contact
First Name
Last Name
Please provide the name and email for a secondary project contact. This should be someone else within the organization familiar with the project (e.g., supervisor, co-leader).
Secondary Contact Name
Secondary Contact Name
First Name
Last Name

Garden Site Details

Please tell us about the garden location and site considerations.
Address of Planting Location
Address of Planting Location
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
0 of 350 max words
What are you requesting?
0 of 250 max words
Cash awards of $100 to $500 are available only when a plant grant is not feasible and must be used to purchase locally sourced native plants and/or native seed. If requesting a Cash Grant, you must upload a detailed plant list with common and scientific names of plants/seeds to be purchased with an itemized budget or quote.

The form supports multiple file uploads or submit as a single file.

0 of 250 max words

Maximum file size: 20.48MB

Approximate planting size:
0 of 250 max words
How ready is your planting site?
0 of 150 max words
Sun Conditions
Soil Conditions
Who will help maintain the garden?
(Check all that apply.)
0 of 150 max words

Youth Engagement and Educational Value

How will youth participate?
(Check all that apply.)
0 of 500 max words

Supporting Materials

Maximum file size: 20.48MB

0 of 250 max words

Maximum file size: 20.48MB

If you have letters of support or other documentation you would like to attach please do so here.

Attestation

I understand that the awarding of grants and the amount of grants shall be subject to the sole discretion of Wild Ones. I also understand that project details and designs become the property of Wild Ones, and if I am awarded a grant, Wild Ones shall have the right to supply others with this information and disseminate its underlying concepts and/or ideas. If awarded a grant, I agree to acknowledge this funding source in any project publicity or printed materials and to submit an expense accounting to Wild Ones within one year of the date of the award letter. Wild Ones and/or any of its agents, officials, and employees shall assume no responsibility or liability for claims of damage of any kind to property or for claims of injury to any person in connection with the award or distribution of a grant.

I understand that I am responsible for securing and retaining parental approval and release for any photos and/or videos provided to Wild Ones for any youth under the age of 18 and that Wild Ones has permission to use submitted project photos and/or videos in any public media about Wild Ones.

I certify that I have obtained the necessary approval from my organization to submit this grant application and move forward with our garden project if we are awarded funds.

IF AWARDED any grant, APPLICANT AGREES TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Verify with Wild Ones with a point of contact to receive funds within 2 weeks of award notification.
  2. Submit a project report at the completion of the grant (1 year after award) that includes, digital photos/videos, student artwork, poetry, etc. Newspaper articles or other media reports about the project are also welcome.
  3. Submit the License Agreement allowing Wild Ones to use all photos, videos, artwork, and other media provided by applicant as part of the application, project report, or other communication with Wild Ones concerning the project. By submitting this application, applicant is stating that applicant has obtained and retains on file a Publication Release for each item submitted to Wild Ones and a Photo Release from each person depicted in any image or recording submitted to Wild Ones, including parental permission for any person under age 18.
  4. Acknowledge Wild Ones funding of your garden in project publicity and printed materials.
  5. Notify Wild Ones of other project highlights or events so we may participate as deemed appropriate by your organization’s regulations.
I understand and agree to the above attestation.
Grant Applicant’s Name
Grant Applicant's Name
First Name
Last Name