Annual Grant Program

Our Society provides financial support for the work of others who pursue the mission of our Society in research, conservation, or education. Each grant is $500. A founding member and first President, Ann Malmquist established an endowment that funds the grants awarded. Application deadline dates are announced annually.

Deadline for 2024 Grant Application Submissions is 5:00 PM on Friday, September 13, 2024

To Print a Copy:   Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio 2024 Grant Application Guidelines
Past Grant Awardees

Grant Application Guidelines

The Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio is accepting applications for our 2024 Grant(s). We will consider projects that demostrate excellence in research, conservation, or education that clearly support the mission and goals of the Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio (NPSNEO).

Our Mission
To promote the study, appreciation, and conservation of the native plants and native plant communities of Ohio.
The Native Plant Society Goals

  • to promote native plant conservation through habitat protection and other means;
  • to foster public knowledge and appreciation of native plants;
  • to support proper ethics and methods of natural landscaping;
  • to encourage surveys and research on native plants and publication of findings; and
  • cooperation with other programs and organizations concerned with the conservation of natural resources.

The amount of each grant will be up to $500.00. The number of grants available will depend upon funding. The grant awardee(s) will be invited to attend the Native Plant Society's 2024 annual meeting to accept their award. Public announcement of the grant(s) awarded will take place at the Native Plant Society’s 2024 annual meeting on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Application and Submission Requirements
Deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024
Your grant application must include the following:

  • Contact information: name, phone number, email, and postal address;
  • Project summary; and
  • Outline how grant money will be used.

Email your application to: nativeplantsocietyneo@gmail.com with the subject line:
"NPSNEO: 2024 Grant Application".

Deadline for 2024 Grant Application Submissions is 5:00 PM on Friday, September 13, 2024

Grant applicants will be notified of the status of their application by Friday, October 11, 2024.

Years 2024 - 2014
2024
  • Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District
    Their goal for this grant is to study stormwater management control measures in a dry detention basin. Grant funds will be used to purchase the native seed for their test plots.
  • Medina County Parks
    The Medina County Invasive Species Buy-Back Program aims to reach county residents through education and community involvement with the focus of removing invasive plants from their property and replacing them with native trees or shrubs. Grant funds will be used towards the purchase of twenty three-gallon pots of native trees and shrubs.
  • Cleveland Metroparks, North Chagrin Reservation
    Grant funds will be used to purchase native pollinator plants and plant them adjacent to the existing honey bee hive at North Chagrin Nature Center. This planting will support the hive with pollen throughout the year and with shade to keep the hive cooler in the summer.
  • Aruni Kadawatha, Ph.D. candidate, Case Western Reserve University, Dept. of Biology
    The Holden Arboretum has implemented a novel technique called ‘edge feathering’ to thin the canopy, transitioning forest edges to open areas. Light heterogeneity, the variation in light intensity and distribution across different areas of the forest understory, plays a crucial role in shaping plant community composition, as different species may respond uniquely to varying light conditions. Grant funds will be used to support her research on how light heterogeneity induced by edge feathering influences plant traits and their plasticity.
2023
  • WJR Rittman Nature Preserve Rittman, Ohio 44270
    The project: a pollinator restoration of a half-acre plot of land which is part of a 300-acre reclaimed industrial site. They will be removing all invasive species and clear this plot to plant Ohio wildflowers and prairie grasses. The grant award will be used to purchase a seed mix that contains species such as sweet joe pye, compass plant, and white wild indigo.
  • Stephanie Wilhelm, M.Sc student, University of Akron, Dept. of Biology
    The grant award will be used to support her research on the effects of invasive garlic mustard on the fitness of an Ohio native mustard, cutleaf toothwort.
  • Food Strong, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
    Their goal: to cultivate a thriving native prairie garden in their Coit Road Learning Garden. The grant award will expand the curriculum to further engage students in educating their communities about native plants and to plant native plants.
2022
  • Franklinton Farms in Columbus, Ohio
    Their 2022 grant proposal involved constructing a native plant rain garden to eliminate an urban heat island demonstrating its value to the public. As last year, this organization serves to improve their neighborhood through native gardens that enrich lives.
2021
  • Franklinton Farms in Columbus, Ohio
    Grant funds will be used to purchase native plants as “green aids” to help restore the natural community by attracting pollinators and restoring the soil. It will also educate the community, especially the children, in natural processes.
2020
  • Stark Soil and Water Conservation District and the Wilderness Center
    Their proposal involves constructing a demonstration native plant rain garden for educating the public as to the importance of such gardens. The Stark (SWCD) is engaged in educating the public on this matter but, with a garden constructed at the Wilderness Center, coordinated online education as well as in person programs, they will be able to reach more people.
2019
  • Girl Scouts from Troop 70444
    Grant funds for a wildflower trail and "Trout Lily Trail" signage at the Mentor Marsh Nature Center.
2018
  • Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners
    will purchase native plants and trees for a Rain Garden project on a property that will be used as their new office. The Rain Garden project will be highlighted in educational workshops and act as an example for residents.
  • The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
    The nature center was restoring woodland habitat around their new outdoor amphitheater. The area will be used as a demonstration garden as well as a bird and wildlife habitat. Grant funds went towards native plants, labels and site preparation.
2017
  • Nature Conservancy’s Grand River Conservation Campus at the Morgan Swamp Preserve in Ashtabula County
    Grant funds helped provide native plants and shrubs which will increase nectar sources and habitat for pollinators and birds in a learning garden adjacent to a new Nature Center.
2016
  • Lorain Cty Metro Parks Carlisle Visitor Center
    Grant funds for a Wildlife Observation Area project.
2015
  • Awardee information to be posted
2014
  • Awardee information to be posted
Years 2013 - 2003
2013
  • Coit Road Farmers Market/East Cleveland Farmers Market Preservation Society
    Grant funds for developing a Native Plant Garden on a parcel of land adjacent to the Farmers Market.
  • City of Mentor
    Grant funds for a program to reduce non-native invasive plants from the Mentor Marsh, involve community and school groups, and educate the community on the importance of invasive plant removal.
2012
  • No grant applications received
2011
  • The Doan Brook and Shaker School Stream Corridor Project
    Grant funds for purchase native plants and to provide field guides for students.
2010
  • Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership (LEAP)
2009
  • Roger Laushman
    Grant funds for a study of smooth rose, Rosa blanda, and hybridization with invasive rose species.
  • Katie Martin, and student
    Grant funds for starting a native wildflower garden at a school.
2008
  • No grant applications received
2007
  • Stacy Heffernan, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
    Grant funds for the Future Scientist Tremont Neighborhood Urban Ecology project.
2006
  • No grant applications received
  • Board awarded grant to Cleveland Museum of Natural History
    Grant funds for Natural Areas Fund.
2005
  • Jim Bissell, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
    Grant funds contributed to Natural Areas Fund for North Kingsville Swamp purchase.
2004
  • Dr. Shya Chitaley, Cleveland Muweum of Natural History
    Grant funds for part-time research assistant for Restoration of 360 Mil year old forest.
  • Hope Taft
    Grant funds for Ohio Botanical Garden, Governors Residence.
2003
  • Jason Hopkins, Kent State University
    Grant funds for flora & ecological survey of Jennings Woods.