Community Garden Development Fund

Funding Criteria for both Start-up and Existing Gardens
Ineligible items under this fund
How to Apply
Application for Existing Gardens in the Network
Application for New Gardens to the Network

Funding Criteria for both Start-up and Existing Gardens

Overall Criteria for all Gardens:

• Be based in Ottawa
• Be non profit
• Use organic practices only
• Have established community partnerships (ie., community centre, community organization, community association)
• Gardens must involve food production. Strictly flower-only gardens are exempted from eligibility.

Criteria for existing gardens:

• For significant garden expansion, letters of support are required from community partners.
• Demonstrate that other community resources are involved, however it is not required that gardens have matching funds from other sources. 
• Must be involved in Community Gardening Network (CGN) by meeting minimum requirements:
• Sending someone to the 2 annual meetings (spring and autumn)
• returning annual information/evaluation
• have completed reports and expenditures any previous Community Development Fund projects
• let garden members know about CGN activities/workshop opportunities
• and, assisting other gardens by sharing expertise (when possible)

Criteria for New/Start-up Gardens

• Attend a “How to Start a Community Garden Workshop” put on by the CGN
• Written permission of landowner
• Soil testing results that permit food production
• Demonstrate that other community resources are involved, however it is not required that gardens have matching funds from other sources.
• Demonstrated garden plan which includes descriptions of how the garden will be developed, how the garden will operate and how the garden will be maintained.

For Gardens proposed in City of Ottawa Parks

• Along with the criteria mentioned above for new gardens, letters of support from 2 community associations will be required

Ineligible Items under this Fund:

• Flower-only garden projects
• Rooftop gardening projects
• Bike racks
• Hard landscaping (ie. pavers, asphalt, road cuts, concrete)
• Long-term maintenance (ie. annual funding for infusion of inputs such as topsoil or compost)
• Renovation of existing buildings
• Computer equipment
• Staff salaries, ongoing operating costs or travel costs
• Conferences
• Refreshments for community events
• Costs associated with hosting workshops

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted electronically using the application form on this website.  All letters of support, landowner permission letters and site plans should be either faxed to Just Food, attention to Terri O’Neill at 613-236-7060 or sent via e-mail in an Adobe PDF format to communitygardening@justfood.ca

There are two online applications available to use – please select the correct one

For existing gardens:
Existing gardens are gardens that are already established and are part of Community Gardening Network. 
Use this application.

For new gardens or start-up gardens:
A new or start-up garden is a garden that has not yet been established, Use this application.