Butterfly Garden Grants Program

Supporting Our Local Butterflies

Starting in 2026, SCBC will award Butterfly Garden Grants up to $500 to assist with the creation or renovation of butterfly gardens in public spheres such as at schools, neighborhoods, non-profits, etc.

Eligibility

The group/project applying for a grant must be sponsored by a current member of the Sarasota County Butterfly Club.

Only groups such as schools, neighborhood associations, businesses, homeowner associations, non-profit organizations, and government organizations located in and around Manatee and Sarasota Counties are eligible.

Personal Yards are NOT eligible for funding.

Projects eligible for funding include:

Creating a community or public butterfly garden
Enhancing a clubhouse, building, or non-profit entryway or public space with butterfly plants
Removing invasive species and replacing them with butterfly plants Costs that may be applied to the grant:
The service of a butterfly garden consultant or landscape designer
Professional services – hourly with rate and work accomplished
Materials, Plants and Supplies – as necessary to carry out the work of the grant
Rental equipment – for the sole purpose of the grant work Costs that may NOT be applied:
Computer software or hardware
Entertainment, food, drink

How to Apply:

Grant Application forms (electronic PDF version or hard copies via US mail) will be available on request from sarasotabutterflyclub@gmail.com.

A completed application with optional supporting documentation can be submitted via email to sarasotabutterflyclub@gmail.com or mailed to: Sarasota County Butterfly Club, 1131 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236.

The Process:

Once a completed application is received, the grant committee will contact the project leader within 30 days to schedule a site visit
Following the site visit, a decision will be made on the application. If approved, the funds will be forwarded to the project.
A follow-up site visit will be made on completion of the project.
SCBC will be taking before and after photos during the site visits.
SCBC may request a tour of the project by SCBC members after completion of the project.
SCBC will be providing a small sign to post in the garden stating that the project has been supported by the SCBC.

Project Planning Considerations:

Note: The SCBC Club will not be directly involved in, or responsible for, the planting or maintenance of a grant project.

Local butterfly gardens of all shapes and sizes are critical to creating interconnected habitats to support these crucial pollinators. Following the key tenets of the Florida Friendly Landscaping Program while adding adequate numbers of butterfly nectar and caterpillar host (food) plants to a garden helps butterflies survive and thrive.

Therefore, the following guidelines need to be followed:

Applicants must use butterfly host and nectar plants (preferably native plants) to attract and support at least three species of local butterflies
No plants in the design are either Category 1 or II Florida Invasive Plants
No cypress mulch is used
Insecticides and pesticides are not used in the butterfly gardens
Water must be available on site; micro-irrigation systems is strongly encouraged
Planting should follow the principles of “Right Plant, Right Place”

Resources that may be useful: