Grants & Scholarships

Since 2005 the PCMGA has made gifts of approximately $71,500 to organizations within Porter County, IN and the immediate surrounding area. To view the list of 2024 grants and scholarship recipients, please click here.

 

PCMGA Philanthropy Policy

The Porter County Master Gardeners Association (PCMGA) is committed to giving back to the community.  At this time, the PCMGA derives income from an annual Gardening Show and an annual Garden Walk. The PCMGA Grants and Scholarship program is one way we “help others grow” their gardening knowledge.  To view descriptions of grants and scholarship opportunities and to access the application forms, please use the Grants & Scholarship links below.

The PCMGA Philanthropy Committee is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on all applications.   These recommendations will be presented to the PCMGA membership for their approval.  All decisions of the PCMGA are final.

 

Please note: PCMGA 2025 application forms for grants and scholarships are posted below.

 

Grants Guidelines

The Porter County Master Gardeners Association (PCMGA) is offering grants of up to $400 for materials for gardening/horticulture-related volunteer projects in Porter County. Volunteer individuals or groups and non-profit organizations are eligible. This includes, but is not limited to, community organizations, youth groups, churches, teachers and individual volunteers. Projects are to benefit the community, feed those in need or promote gardening education.

These grants may be used to purchase such items as plants, seeds, mulch, compost, fertilizer and fencing. Labor is not included. If you would like project guidance from a Master Gardener, the PCMGA can help with that, too.

Only one application may be submitted per project per calendar year.

The application form is to be completed in its entirety.  Illegible applications will not be considered.  Additional sheets may be added as needed.

Applications can be emailed to pcmastergardener@gmail.com or personally delivered to the Porter County Extension Office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 301, Valparaiso, IN 46383 by March 14, 2025.  Any applications sent by mail must be postmarked by March 10, 2025.

Applicants will be notified if their grant has been approved by May 1^st. Fund recipients will be asked to sign a statement that these funds will be used in the current year only for the project described in the grant application.

Grant recipients must be willing to allow the PCMGA to publicize the award in all forms of media, including but not limited to, print and electronic media, social media, internet websites and video presentations.

Decisions of the PCMGA are final.

Please click here for the Grant Application form.

Scholarship Guidelines

The Porter County Master Gardeners Association (PCMGA) will award a $2,000 non-renewable scholarship to a college sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student from Porter County. The scholarship is not available to incoming freshmen. Their major should be in landscape design, horticulture, or botany related.  Students with other majors may be eligible if they state in the application how they will use their degree to promote home gardening.

Applications can be emailed to pcmastergardener@gmail.com or personally delivered to the Porter County Extension Office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 301, Valparaiso, IN 46383 by March 14, 2025.  Any applications sent by mail must be postmarked by March 10, 2025.

Scholarship winners will be notified by May 1^st.  Money will be issued when the PCMGA receives documentation of the recipient’s next semester schedule.

If funds are not available or there is no qualified applicant, the PCMGA will not award a scholarship for that year.

Scholarship recipients must be willing to allow the PCMGA to publicize the award in all forms of media, including but not limited to, print and electronic media, social media, internet websites and video presentations.

Decisions of the PCMGA are final.

Please click here for the Scholarship Application form.

Questions? Contact us here.