2026 PCGCA Grants

Awbury Arboretum

This grant is for restoration of the Wingohocking Wetlands Garden in Awbury Arboretum, Germantown.  Funds will be used to purchase 70 woody plants and 131 perennials for plantings surrounding the edges of the wetlands.  The goal of this project is to remove invasives, plant native habitat for the birds and wildlife, and serve as an educational stop for school field trips and adult workshops on native plantings.

Beck Garden

This grant is for beautification of a small urban park in a dense part of South Philadelphia.  Funds will be used to purchase native perennials for two beds with varying environmental conditions.  This will enable the park to join the Pollinator Pathway Network and achieve Butterfly Garden Certification and to integrate the park into the regional conservation map. 

Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion

This grant is for maintaining a Victorian garden surrounding the historic house in Germantown.   The funds will enable protection spraying of their essential screening evergreens, cedar mulch for their planting beds, and flowering plants.  This historic site is open daily and offers a much needed respite area in Germantown.   The mansion offers many outside events, which are enjoyed in the garden.

Fair Amount of Food Forest

This grant is for continued food production on a 2-acre urban farm serving the community of East Fairmount Park, adjacent to Woodford Mansion.  Funds will be used to expand their tomato, vegetable and fruit production as well as burlap for wrapping plants from winter cold and providing a gravel foundation for compost and mulch storage. 

Fairmount Park Conservancy

This grant is for repairing the edges of the three lakes in FDR Park in South Philadelphia.  Materials purchased with this grant include: 65 trees, 20 shrubs, stakes, coco weed guards, and wire mesh for tree cages.  The goal of this project is to restore the riparian edges of the lake and provide an improved setting for birds and wildlife as well as improve water filtration and stormwater management.

Germantown Residents for Economic Alternatives Together (GREAT)

This grant is for food production and community enrichment in Germantown.  Funds for the project would purchase funds for compost, soil, seeds, and plants for a community garden in Awbury Arboretum, and plant materials given to residents in a one-day Expo.  The goal of the grant is to provide plants and soil so that the community can grow healthy food to share and build their gardening and cooking skills.

Greener Partners

This grant is for food production and education of children in the Belmont neighborhood of West Philadelphia.  The funds will be used to build an A frame shed to store and secure gardening equipment used for food production.    This will enable critical gardening supplies to be safe and secure and support the mobile Farm Explorer van to visit over 60 schools for education and distribution of food.

Laurel Hill

This grant supports the historic preservation and restoration goals of the cemetery’s gatehouse gardens located in East Falls.  The funds will be used to purchase shrubs, perennials, and education signage in the two large beds on either side of the restored gatehouse entrance.    The goal is to complete the restoration of the gatehouse entrance by planting historic and native plantings to greet the visitors to this important cemetery.

Lemon Hill Fish Pond Fountain

This grant supports the ecological restoration of a hillside, which serves as a backdrop to the historic Fish Pond Fountain at Lemon Hill.   Funds will be used to purchase 414 plugs and bulbs of native herbaceous perennials and sedges, which will help storm water management on a steep slope and will benefit wildlife and pollinators.  This project will enhance this visible, historic site, which is part of Fairmount Park. 

Magee Frankford Hospital

This grant supports food production for the patients and community neighbors of Frankford.  Funds will be used to help plant seeds, plants, soil, and amendments for 16 garden beds.  This project helps produce on a weekly basis approximately 200 pounds of fresh food free of charge in a food desert area of the city.

Magee Rehabilitation Hospital at Riverside

This grant supports rehabilitation services as part of horticultural therapy program in South Philadelphia.   Funds will be used to purchase two Bokashi composting kits, olias for assisting in watering, and shade cloth to protect plants from summer heat.  The aim of this project is to ease maintenance of the garden and teach patients about ancient watering and composting methods.

Methodist Services Heritage Farm

This grant supports a four-acre food production site for the benefit of residents living at Methodist Services in West Philadelphia.   Funds will be used to purchase over 100 seed varieties, seed starting materials, potting mix to support transplant production, soil amendments, and stakes for supporting tomatoes and peppers.   The goal of the grant is to assist in the education of growing and preparing healthy food and providing healthy food for family meals. 

 Neighborhood Garden Trust

This grant is for beautification of a recently preserved open space, Peace Garden in North Philadelphia.  Funds will be used to purchase native perennial plantings, soil, amendments and invasive tree removal.   The goal of this project is to enhance the open space adjacent to a restored mosaic mural as a place of respite and community gathering in a struggling area of the city.

Philly Goat Project

This grant supports food production and community gathering space in Awbury Arboretum, Germantown.   Funds will be used to purchase compost, row covers and hoops, mushroom spawns, seeds, and tubers, and other gardening supplies.  The aim of this project is to provide for education and wellness opportunities for local families as well as nurturing new and experienced gardeners. 

Philadelphia Orchard Project

This grant is for establishment of a new orchard at Truelove Seeds Farm located in the Schuylkill Environment Center in Roxborough   Funds will be used to purchase 15 fruit trees, 30 berries and vines, 290 perennials, top soil, compost, tree stakes and protective tree fencing.  The goal of this project is to add tree, shrub and herbaceous layers to a seed farm growing a large variety of culturally important crops for seed, culinary and medical uses. 

Physic Garden at Pennsylvania Hospital

This grant is for a historic, medicinal garden, which was created by PC GCA for the 1976 Bicentennial.   Funds for this project will be used to purchase additional historic plants, seeds, and supplies for this garden, which is enjoyed by the patients and staff of the hospital.    This goal of the project is to enhance the garden as part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2026.

Regrow Philly

This project is to establish a climate-controlled environment at the Marshall Street Garden in North Philadelphia.  Funds will be used to purchase a greenhouse kit to enable year-round growing and to implement a vermicomposting system.  The goals of this project are to extend the growing season of this garden as well as provide a sustainable source of organic fertilizer to remediate the urban soil without the need for external chemical inputs. 

St. Christopher Hospital, Center for Urban Child

This project is for food production, community engagement and education on the benefits of growing healthy food in North Philadelphia.  Funds for this project will be used to build four new raised beds, soil, mulch, and plants for seasonal vegetables.   The aim of the project is to encourage gardening in the community through community workshop days as well as provide free food to patients and area residents.