CATEGORY 3
School Garden & Greenhouse Grants:
Funding will be available to nonprofit organizations within the state of Maine or serving students within the state of Maine. Matching contributions are encouraged and may consist of; use of facilities, volunteer time, in-kind contributions, community involvement, salaries, etc. Applicants in this category will be eligible for no more than three consecutive years. Only one grant in this category per physical site or Project Director will be considered annually.

Before starting, please make sure you have selected the correct application for the grant category you wish to apply for.

Please note that you are not able to save your grant application and return to it later. It is suggested that you write your responses in a Word document and copy them into the text boxes when you are ready to submit your application.

Examples of funded grants, our mission, more information on eligibility, the application and review process, and reporting guidelines can all be found at www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org

For additional information, contact Willie Sawyer Grenier at maitc@maine.gov or 207.287.5522

All applications are due by 4:00pm on September 12th, 2025. Online grant applications, including all required uploads, must be submitted by the application deadline. For questions regarding this process, please email mel.maitc@gmail.com.
The maximum duration of the grant(s) will be one year. Final reports are due September 1, 2026, but may be submitted sooner (see reporting requirements for details). Funding awarded may not be consistent with the funding request. Successful applicants are encouraged to attend our Annual Meeting in late October, those that cannot will receive their checks later in November.

After each successful submission you will be taken to a thank you page confirming your submission. Applicants will also receive a confirmation email with a copy of the submission. Please save a copy of this email for your records.
IMPORTANT: If you do not receive a confirmation, your application has not been submitted. If this happens please email mel.maitc@gmail.com.

Project Name*

Project Director Name*

First NameLast Name

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Email*

example@example.com

School or Organization Name (must be nonprofit)*

School or Organization Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Proof of Nonprofit Status (501(c) Number (or can attach letter)

Proof of Nonprofit Status - attach letter here

Funds Requested (up to $2,000)*

Number of Students Impacted*

How often and how long are students or educators engaged?*

(Example: 100 students, one hour per week for 12 weeks = 1,200 student hours)

Co-Project Director(s) Name(s)

Co-Project Director(s) Email(s)

Brief Project Overview – 1 short paragraph for media use – 50 words or less*

0/50

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Proposals will be assessed for eligibility, evaluated by a review committee, and scored based on a rubric of 135 total possible points. Scores will be averaged for each application.
The following scoring rubric will be applied:

20 points - Practicality and Scope of the Project
- Are the methods, timeline and budget appropriate to achieve the described results? Does the project scope and specifications effectively address agricultural literacy standards and outcomes?
20 points - Collaboration
- Will the project effectively portray Maine agriculture? Does the project involve different groups of participants, volunteers, students, producers, and educators? Can the project be adapted or replicated by others?
15 points - Budget
- What is the effectiveness of the budget? Does the project include matching funds, actual or in-kind?
15 points - Schedule/Timeline
- When are different components of the project taking place? Does the timeline include duty assignments? Is the timeline practical and reasonable?
15 points - Student Impact & Outcomes
- What is the expected impact and outcomes of the project? How many students are impacted either directly or through educators? Estimated hours of student involvement? Will the project integrate educational subjects across the curriculum? Are there measurable outcomes and do they support the mission of MAITC?
15 points - Project Evaluation & Sustainability
- How is project success measured? Are the assessment and evaluation plans adequate? Do evaluation plans effectively measure the project progress and outcomes? Does the project provide strategies to exist at this location into the future? Does the project include strategies for summer care, water source, if funding includes stipends - does it explain future provisions for these positions.
10 points - Integrated Pest Management Plan and Checklist (both Mandatory)
- Is there an integrated pest management plan attached? Does it follow the model?
25 points – Letters of Support & Concurrence Letter (both MANDATORY, a letter from the project director will not satisfy the minimum)

Both the checklist and model IPM plan are posted on the website with the grant applications at www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org

Description of the project, including agricultural education objectives, duration of student involvement, and target audience – 3 page maximum*

Please address the following: Collaboration (20 Points)*

Outline of collaborative efforts between classrooms, community, local businesses and farmers. Describe how the project will work with local farmers and not be in competition with them. Will the project effectively portray Maine agriculture? Does the project involve different groups of participants, volunteers, students, producers and educators? Can the project be adapted or replicated by others?

Schedule/Timeline (15 Points)*

Please include a timeline with duty assignments. Is the timeline practical and reasonable? When are different components of the project taking place?

Budget (include matching funds if possible) (15 Points)*

Include budget explanation. What is the effectiveness of the budget? Does the project include matching funds, actual or in-kind? Match can include space, educator time, resources, etc.

If you created a budget spreadsheet, you can upload it here.

Please address the following: Student Impact & Outcomes (15 Points)*

What is the expected impact and outcomes of the project? How many students are impacted either directly or through educators? Estimated hours of student involvement? Will the project integrate educational subjects across the curriculum? Are there measurable outcomes and do they support the mission of MAITC?

Please address the following: Project Evaluation & Sustainability (15 Points)*

How is project success measured? Are the assessment and evaluation plans adequate? Do evaluation plans effectively measure the project progress and outcomes? Does the project provide strategies to exist at this location into the future? Does the project include strategies for summer care, water source, if funding includes stipends - does it explain future provisions for these positions.

Checklist for School Gardens, Greenhouses, Orchards and Farms - Mandatory*

Posted on the website with grant applications at www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org

Integrated Pest Management Plan - Mandatory (10 points)*

Is there an integrated Pest Management Plan? Does it follow the model on the website? Model posted on the website with grant applications at www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org

Concurrence letter from school authority or administrator approving changes to the school ground - Mandatory*

3-5 Letters of Support (3 Mandatory, NOTE: a letter from the project director will not satisfy the minimum) (25 Points)*

Do the supporting letters show that the site, administration, community, peer teachers, and local farmers are aware and in support of the project?

MAITC GRANT APPLICATION TERMS & CONDITIONS:

By signing and submitting this proposal the applicant(s) certifies that the information contained herein is true and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and accepts the obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council in effect at the time of the award. *All information is mandatory. Applications with missing information may be eliminated from consideration. Grant checks will be written to, and mailed to, the school or organization with Attention to the Project Director. Unsigned applications will not be considered.

By signing and submitting this proposal the applicant(s) agree to the reporting requirements of the grant.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

A final report is due September 1, 2026 (may be submitted sooner). Reports will be submitted via an online form.

Reports Must Include:

Short written report up to 2 pages including outcomes, assessment results, and numbers of students, teachers and volunteers involved directly or impacted indirectly, and the duration.
2 – 6 photographs with releases for printed and online use,
A signed copy of the photo release
A copy of materials developed (if applicable),
Copies of or links to any media coverage
Photos or explanation of how you credited funding for the project to the Maine Agricultural License Plate

*Applicants will not be eligible for additional funding before the final report is submitted for their previous award. Applicants that do not submit a final report for funding will not be eligible for future funding from this program.

Grant winners will all receive materials to be used during events and for students involved in the project. In an attempt to credit the real funders, Maine Ag Specialty License Plate owners, please be sure to use these and distribute them during the funding year as part of your agreement when you accept this grant funding.

Project Director Signature*

Co-Project Director Signature

CATEGORY 3 - 2025 School Garden & Greenhouse Grant Applications

PROJECT DESCRIPTION