NHSA and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Announce Annual Grant Recipient Winners

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Head Start Association (NHSA) have announced the recipients of the seventh annual GroMoreGood Garden Grants. The grants provide educational curriculum and garden resources to children and families in Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which ensure youth understand the benefits of healthy eating, nature, and outdoor play, and develop a lifelong love of gardening. 

The Scott Miracle-Gro Foundation awards funding based on several factors, including the program’s positive influence and impact on young children, their families, and broader community. As a result of the investment from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Head Start programs receive training on how to grow a garden so they can create edible gardens and green spaces. Additionally, Head Start programs receive resources including seasonal garden storytime webinars and garden kits.

The 12 programs who were awarded grants this year, include:

• Area Five Agency on Aging and Community Services, Logansport, Ind.
• Child Development Council of Franklin County, Inc., Columbus, Ohio
• Child Start, Inc., Missoula, Mo.
• Family Services of Westchester, Inc., Westchester County, N.Y.
• Family, Inc., Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Foundation For Early Childhood Education, Inc., Pasadena, Calif.
• HWC Adventure Head Start, Stigler, Okla.
• Mile High Kids and Community Development, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va.
• Mississippi Action For Progress, Inc., Jackson, Miss.
• Muscogee Creek Nation, Tulsa, Okla.
• NeighborImpact Head Start, Redmond, Ore.
• Starfish Family Services, Inkster, Mich.

This year’s grant winners will be recognized during the 2025 National Head Start Conference, occurring from May 19-22 in Columbus, Ohio. The largest national conference devoted to all things Head Start, the NHSA annual conference brings the Head Start community together for sharing, networking, learning, and celebrating.

“We value the impactful work of these Head Start programs, which provide children and their families access to garden curriculum, training, and seasonal storytimes,” said Brian Herrington, Foundation president. “The results are powerful. Thousands of children not only learn to love living things, but they also acquire the skills and knowledge to grow nutritious foods that help support their families and local food agencies.” 

“Our long-standing partnership with the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation fosters community enrichment, outdoor play, and an understanding of environmental sustainability for both children and adults while improving educational outcomes,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director for the National Head Start Association (NHSA). “We are grateful to the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation for its generous support to ensure children and families lead healthier, empowered lives through access to nutritious foods and experiential learning.”

Since its inception, the program has supported more than 50 existing and new garden projects for Head Start programs. Learn more about past grant recipients from 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 and view the webinar series.

About National Head Start Association

The National Head Start Association is committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in school and in life. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier and empowered children and families, and stronger, more vibrant communities. NHSA is the voice for more than 750,000 children, 250,000 staff, and more than 1,600 Head Start grant recipients in the United States. Visit nhsa.org or follow @NatlHeadStart to learn more.

About The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation

The mission of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is to inspire, connect and cultivate a community of purpose. The Foundation is deeply rooted in helping create healthier communities, empower the next generation, and preserve our planet. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds nonprofit entities that support its core initiatives in the form of grants, endowments and multi-year capital gifts. For more information, visit www.scottsmiraclegrofoundation.org.

Contacts

NHSA:
Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Senior Director, Communications and Media Relations
media@nhsa.org

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation:
Katherine Dickens, Director, ESG and Social Impact
katherine.dickens@scotts.com