Grant Program

Grant Program Overview

Every year, TMA awards vouchers worth up to 400 plants to community organizations in our service area for the creation of Monarch Waystations. These are special pollinator gardens that include native milkweed plants for Monarchs. Using The Monarch Alliance’s plant list, applicants can enhance Monarch butterfly habitat in an existing garden, design a new garden, or plug and play with our sample design. Preference is given to organizations planning to use a Monarch Waystation as a public education tool and/or involve students in outdoor learning.

The vouchers awarded through this grant program may ONLY be used to choose plants from this plant list during The Monarch Alliance Spring Native Plant Sale, held in May at Sunny Meadows Garden Center.

Eligibility

• Applications must be associated with a community organization (civic groups, garden clubs, schools, universities, nature centers, etc.).
• Proposed garden must be located in Jefferson, Berkeley, or Morgan County, WV, or Washington County, MD.
• Proposed gardens must adhere to the minimum requirements set by the Monarch Watch:
  • Size – No minimum size, however, an area of 100 square feet or greater is recommended.
  • Sun Exposure – Located in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sun each day.
  • Drainage and Soil Type – Many milkweeds and nectar plants do best in low-clay soils with good drainage.
  • Shelter – Plants should be relatively close together but not crowded.  Follow planting guidelines specific to each plant.
  • Milkweed – At least 20% of the plants must be milkweed.  At least two species of milkweed must be included.
  • Nectar Plants – Include a variety of nectar plants that bloom sequentially or continually throughout the breeding and migration seasons (April – October).
  • Maintenance – Include a plan to sustain the Waystation garden for at least 3 years after which it should be largely self-sustaining.

Annual Application Schedule

• October 1 – Application Opens
• December 15 – Applications Due
• January 15 – (following year) – Awards Announced
• mid-May – Plants Distributed during the Spring Native Plant Sale

Ready to get started?

1. Form a team and choose a garden location. A team is a minimum of 2 people but can be more. If the applicant is a school, the team can consist of students, with the support of the principal and a teacher.  The Monarch Alliance Grants Committee may request the applicant obtain additional support from the school or community.
2. Complete and submit the application. Following the annual schedule above. The Monarch Alliance grants committee will review your application. Criteria for judging applications include: innovative design, a clear understanding of managing the garden, a plan to involve stakeholders in creating and maintaining the garden, and a plan to involve students (children or adults) in outdoor learning.
3. Register your Waystation and submit reports. After completing the garden, applicants must register it as a Monarch Waystation with Monarch Watch and submit a summary report of the project to The Monarch Alliance.  Registration is easy and The Monarch Alliance will cover the registration fees for you!

Questions?

Please contact MonarchAlliance@PotomacAudubon.org with any questions related to grants.