Sunflower Beautification Grant

The program fosters environmental stewardship, neighborhood pride, and accessible green spaces that bring beauty and biodiversity to local communities. Projects must demonstrate long-term maintenance plans, public accessibility, and strong community engagement.

• Source of Funding: City of Boston FY26 Operating Budget
• Total Funding Available: $20,000
• Grant Amount per Organization: $5,000–$9,999

The scope of work covers any highly visible beautification or infrastructure project that makes a long-lasting or permanent impact in a neighborhood.

Eligible Projects

All projects must include sunflower planting as a mandatory component.

Examples include:

 Potential projects include:

• Professional landscaping improvements/plantings with maintenance plan
• Installation or restoration of benches, murals, or public art 
• Community gardens, pollinator habitats, or native plantings
• Installation of compost bins
• Property cleanups including graffiti removal and waste removal costs.
• Stormwater management features or rain garden
• Educational signage promoting environmental awareness

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be a nonprofit tax-exempt organization or have a fiscal sponsor with nonprofit status.
• Community, open space, garden, environmental, civic, and development groups are encouraged to apply.
• Projects must be publicly and visually accessible from a public way.
• Property owner approval is required.
• Projects cannot be on City-owned property.
• Applicants must be in good financial standing and able to provide project impact data.

Timeline

• Application Launch Date: November 10, 2025
• Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• Review Period: January 2026
• Award Notification: February 2026

Grant Eligibility and Priorities

• Applicants must be a nonprofit tax-exempt organization, as determined by the IRS or have an official fiscal sponsor that has nonprofit tax-exempt status.
• Community, open space, community garden, environment, civic, community development, and economic development groups are all encouraged to apply.
• Proposed projects cannot be on City property
• Applicants must be in good financial standing, adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, and be able provide data that allows for assessment of the impact of the distributed funds.

Reporting Requirements

By August 30, 2026, the Grantee must provide the Boston Parks and Recreation Department with a final grant report that includes: project summary, activities completed, community engagement, maintenance and sustainability, challenges and lessons learned and a budget summary.

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