What is Friends of the Parks’ Seed Grant Program?
Since 2000, the Friends of the Parks’ Seed Grant Program has helped build stronger communities, develop alliances, and foster a sense of care for parks. Since then, we have awarded over $150,000 in grant funds for cultural programs, mural projects, recreation equipment, education programs, garden development – and even air conditioners! – just to give you a few examples.
A seed, dropped into the ground, springs into activity, and in the act of living produces a hundred more seeds, life, by living, multiplies itself. It is forever Becoming More, it must do so, if it continues to be at all.
― Wallace D. Wattles
The 2020 Winter & 2021 Spring/Summer Seed Grant application has been released! Click here to download the application.
Applications must be completed and submitted by midnight on Monday, December 21, 2020 for Winter or Friday, March 26, 2021 for Spring/Summer. Submit applications by email to rodriguezochoae@fotp.org.
Overview of the program – Friends of the Parks (FOTP) provides small grants to park advisory councils and other park partner organizations committed to improving Chicago’s parks. The intent of these grants is to build community alliances, enhance green spaces and support parks. This year there is a special emphasis on supporting and inspiring others via innovative projects that safely engage Chicagoans with parks and nature and/or demonstrate the importance of parks and nature for our physical and mental health amid COVID-19. Through this program we hope to 1) leverage the dollars that are spent on parks in the city; 2) promote and support community groups and community assets; 3) develop leaders who can share their knowledge with others; and 4) provide additional resources to park advisory councils. FOTP Seed Grant funds are awarded in the range of $500 to $2000. Grant funds will be distributed to 2020 Winter Seed Grant recipients on a rolling basis starting in December and projects must be completed before April 30th, 2021 when we expect to distribute the 2021 Spring/Summer Seed Grants. The 2021 Seed Grant projects should be completed before September 30th, 2021.
Please note that while our Seed Grant program has usually been used to match other money raised from the community, local businesses, etc., we recognize that under COVID-19 conditions it will be harder than usual to raise matching funds. We will consider applications on a case-by-case basis, including the socioeconomic context of the community surrounding the park, to assess project budgets that do not include other funding sources
What can be funded? Many kinds of projects can be funded through this program. All projects must be related to a Chicago park, and funds must be used for events, programming, beautification, or supplies. All projects are also expected to follow COVID safety guidelines. Examples of previously funded projects include: Gardens, tree plantings, sports equipment, community concerts, art projects, programming, etc. Requests for funds to be used for capital improvement projects will not be considered. Capital improvements are expenditures related to the acquisition, expansion, or renovation of some segment of a park’s infrastructure (e.g., tennis courts, playgrounds).
What are the eligibility requirements? Friends of the Parks is pleased to offer two Seed Grant opportunities:
Please note that while our Seed Grant program has usually been used to match other money raised from the community, local businesses, etc., we recognize that under COVID-19 conditions it will be harder than usual to raise matching funds. We will consider applications on a case-by-case basis, including the socioeconomic context of the community surrounding the park, to assess project budgets that do not include other funding sources
What can be funded? Many kinds of projects can be funded through this program. All projects must be related to a Chicago park, and funds must be used for events, programming, beautification, or supplies. All projects are also expected to follow COVID safety guidelines. Examples of previously funded projects include: Gardens, tree plantings, sports equipment, community concerts, art projects, programming, etc. Requests for funds to be used for capital improvement projects will not be considered. Capital improvements are expenditures related to the acquisition, expansion, or renovation of some segment of a park’s infrastructure (e.g., tennis courts, playgrounds).
What are the eligibility requirements? Friends of the Parks is pleased to offer two Seed Grant opportunities:
- 2020 Winter Seed Grant – 2020 Winter Seed Grant applicant must be either a park advisory council or a park partner organization (PPO) that stewards and/or advocates for a local park in Chicago. PPOs must have annual budgets no larger than $500,000 to be considered. This funding is for projects that encourage COVID-safe Winter activities, including virtual ones to engage PAC members and neighbors in community-building or in health and resilience activities related to a park or nature. This funding is to support projects to happen anytime between December and March. A total of $5,000 is available for 2020 Winter Seed Grants.
- 2021 Spring/Summer Seed Grant – A 2021 Spring/Summer Seed Grant applicant must be either a park advisory council or a park partner organization (PPO) that stewards and/or advocates for a local park in Chicago. PPOs must have annual budgets no larger than $500,000 to be considered. This funding is to support projects to happen anytime between January to September. If COVID-19 pandemic conditions continue, the same requirements and framework apply as Winter Seed Grants. A funding total of $10,000 is available for the 2021 Spring/Summer Seed Grants.
2019 Seed grant recipients:
- Bessemer Park Advisory Council – Independence Day Parade float and community events
- Veteran's Memorial Park Advisory Council – Soccer goals
- Bradley Park Advisory Council – Gardening project and community events
- Burnside Park Advisory Council – Pop-up canopy and community events
- Austin Town Hall Park Advisory Council – Gardening project
- Buttercup Park Advisory Council – "Mini-murals" project
- Hayes Park Advisory Council – Little Free Library
2018 Seed Grant Recipients:
- Ridge Park Advisory Council – New water bottle filling station
- South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council – Community for Unity music and youth programming
- Loyola Park Advisory Council – Artists of the Wall website development
- Gompers Park Advisory Council – Expand archery progam
- Mozart Park Advisory Council – Arts programming and panel products
- Park 540 Community Garden Group – To build four raised beds in new garden
- Friends of Eckhart Park – New jerseys for special recreation program
- Midway Plaisance Advisory Council – Bulbs and supplies for stewardship workdays
- West Chatham Park Advisory Council – Summer of Peace Community Picnic
2017 Seed Grant Recipients:
- Douglas Park Advisory Council – Special recreation equipment
- Euclid Park Advisory Council – Euclid Neighborhood Park Festival
- Hamilton Park Advisory Council – Expanding the Englewood Art Fair to include a youth component
- Kelvyn Park Advisory Council – Gymnastics equipment
- Ogden Park Advisory Council – Senior programming
- Ping Tom Park Advisory Council – Community kayak program
- Pottawatomie Park Advisory Council – Two raised beds in the community garden
- Rainbow Beach Park Advisory Council – Enhancing summer camp
- West Chatham Advisory Council – Summer of Peace Community Picnic
- West Ridge Nature Preserve – Citizen science programming
- Pottawatomie Park Advisory Council – Two raised beds in the community garden
