Sacred Grounds Grand Rapids Mini-Grant Program

Apply today to participate in the Sacred Grounds Grand Rapids Mini-Grant Program and join a cohort of area houses of worship receiving funding and technical support to create a native plant garden!

Sacred Grounds Program

The National Wildlife Federation’s Sacred Grounds™ program recognizes congregations, houses of worship, and faith communities who create wildlife habitat, actively link faith practices and caring for the environment, and disseminate these practices throughout the community. Sacred Grounds is a national program open to all houses of worship of all faiths.

Across a beautiful mosaic of diverse beliefs, denominations, and geographies, many places of worship share a deep spiritual commitment to steward the Earth in responsible and life-sustaining ways. These groups are leading the way to create wildlife habitat and educate others in environmental practices. As respected community leaders they are uniquely positioned to inspire their congregation members, neighboring congregations, and the greater interfaith community to advance stewardship practices.

To earn Sacred Grounds™ certification, all participating houses of worship are required to conduct outreach within their own congregation and into surrounding communities through workshops, garden tours, native plant sales, and other forms of education. These efforts contribute to the development of networks of faith communities and community partners working together to build healthy habitats and communities.

For more information visit
www.nwf.org/sacredgrounds

Sacred Grounds Grand Rapids Mini-Grants

The National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center currently has funding available to support houses of worship through the Sacred Grounds Certification process in Toledo, Detroit and Grand Rapids. In Spring 2020 NWF GLRC will provide mini grants up to $1500 for 8 houses of worship in Grand Rapids to create a native plant gardens on their property.

Our aim is to select a diverse group of houses of worship that reflect the racial, socioeconomic, and faith diversity of the community. Neither plant nor gardening expertise is required to participate in the program. However, it is important to demonstrate the volunteer capacity to help install and maintain the garden.

The 8 houses of worship selected to receive funding and technical support will be required to complete all of the Sacred Grounds certification requirements which are outlined in more detail on the next page and on the website (www.nwf.org/sacredgrounds). Upon completion of the certification requirements, participants will receive a Sacred Grounds metal outdoor sign to install at their garden/habitat.

Applications are due by December 20, 2019 to be considered for 2020 program participation and planting.