Awards

Our 2026/27 application season will open on February 9th, 2026.
Please refer to the dates listed below for application processing!

Sage Garden Project funds dedicated garden & cooking instructors at underserved elementary schools throughout California.

Who May Apply?

Note: All applications must be submitted by the school site principal on our website

Currently funded Sage Garden Project award recipient schools or new schools located within San Diego County

Funded schools set to meet 2025/26 MOU expectations

Schools with an existing garden infrastructure

Does the school have an infrastructure that’s ready to have full classrooms in attendance in the space? Is the school garden established (i.e. there are existing beds, space), is it irrigated and maintained, etc?

Schools with a dedicated educator identified or prepared to teach

Have they identified a person who could teach the program? If not, do they have a system in place for how they would do that within our timeline? (Usually just a few weeks after decisions are given in the spring, schools are reporting their chosen educators and other details to us)

Schools with supportive staff (principal, admin, classroom teachers, maintenance staff & volunteers)

Are the principal, school admin, classroom teachers, maintenance staff, volunteers, etc. all on board and supportive of the possible program? 

Schools with a strong sustainability plan

Does the school have intentions to create a long-term sustainable program with SGP’s financial support and programming as a jumping-off point? We want to work with schools who have intentions to financially and programmatically support their programs beyond and after us! 

Schools prepared to implement regular & robust programming for all classrooms during the school day

What does the Sage Garden Project award include?

Up to $20,000 towards a garden and cooking instructor’s compensation ONLY (money may not be used for materials or supplies)

Wild Wisdom Garden/Cooking curriculum access

A fully-equipped mobile cooking cart for new awardees

3-day Educator summer training

a note…

Sage Garden Project’s goal is to provide funding to schools that are ready to start establishing their garden/cooking programing. The award is meant to be a starting point to build a program that will garner support from public and private partners to create long term sustainability. Awardees should understand the Sage Garden Project funding is short term and not guaranteed from one year to the next.

Returning School Requirements

An eligible school will have utilized funds and has shown measurable success with the program this year and will have met all of these markers:

MOU EXPECTATIONS

R

They have met the Wild Wisdom Garden & Cooking lesson requirement

R

They will have run a year-long, robust garden & cooking program

R

They will have contracted and paid instructor(s) in a timely manner

R

Their garden and cooking instructor will have had participated in regional meetings

R

They will have used their awarded funds solely for instructor compensation

R

They will have used their award in its entirety by the end of the 2023/24 school year

R

They will have used their supplemental Sprouts funds appropriately and fully

SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

R

They have made a diligent effort to move towards program sustainability of funding the educator position by…

(one or more of the following)
  • Allocating money towards the funding of an educator (site/Title 1/district funds)
  • Establishing community partner support
  • Seeking grant funding
  • Leading school/PTA fundraisers
  • Allocating community school funds
R

They have put effort into the garden/cooking infrastructure

Examples:
  • Beautifying the space
  • Community work days
  • Sought after grant funding for classroom/garden improvements

2026/27 Award Application Timeline

Feb 9

Applications Open

If you have any questions, please reach out to

kimberly@sagegardenproject.org