At Gardener’s Supply, we believe that gardening can bring about positive change in people’s lives, in our communities and in the environment. We donate 8% of our company profits to programs and organizations that are using gardening to improve the world. It’s a commitment we’ve adhered to since our first day of business back in 1983.

The Garden Crusader Awards are a cornerstone of our donations program. These awards honor people who are creating gardens that provide fresh food, revive urban areas, bring neighbors together, educate children and spark positive change in their communities. Each year we select 21 new award winners and give out more than $15,000 in cash and gardening products.

Gardener’s Supply also provides major gifts to many non-profit organizations throughout the country that are working on gardening, sustainable agriculture, the environment and hunger-related causes (see below).

At home in Vermont, we provide support for more than 50 community organizations and special events, and are a lead donor for the Intervale Center, which is profiled below.

The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) is a membership organization that supports and advocates for state and regional community gardening networks. ACGA provides gardeners with a wide range of resources that encourage the expansion of community gardening and promote gardening education.

The National Gardening Association (NGA) administers a number of grant programs for youth gardening, including one that was established by Gardener’s Supply, called the Healthy Sprouts Awards, These grants recognize outstanding school and youth gardening programs that teach about nutrition and hunger.

Safe Lawns is a national campaign that’s creating greater awareness about the potential harm caused by traditional lawn care products and services, and the natural lawn care alternatives which include organic fertilizers and herbicides and biological pest controls, as well as water conservation, environmentally friendly turf grasses and energy-efficient tools.

The American Horticulture Society (AHS), founded in 1922, is an educational, nonprofit organization that recognizes and promotes excellence in American horticulture. Its mission is to open the eyes of all Americans to the vital connection between people and plants, and to inspire all Americans to become responsible caretakers of the Earth.

Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) is a grassroots program that advocates the donation of surplus garden to local food banks, soup kitchens and service organizations that are helping to feed America's hungry.

The Intervale Center is a nonprofit organization that was founded by Gardener’s Supply in 1986. It provides stewardship for almost 400 acres of land located adjacent to Gardener’s Supply headquarters, in the heart of Burlington, Vermont. The Intervale has undergone a complete transformation from a trash-filled wasteland to a productive urban agricultural zone. There are now more than a dozen independent farming operations, which are producing 6% of our city’s fresh produce, plus chickens, eggs, grain and cut flowers. The Intervale is also home to one of the largest community supported agriculture farms in New England with more than 500 member households, a community composting facility, and miles of bike and hiking trails. We encourage you to visit the Intervale Center website to learn more about this exciting experiment in sustainable urban agriculture.

If you are interested in applying for a donation from Gardener’s Supply, please read our donations policy on the right-hand side of this page. If you have questions or comments about our donations program, please send us e-mail.