Grants available to help with Outdoor Education in 2026!
The high cost of transportation is keeping many teachers from bringing their classes to the state’s many outdoor learning experiences. Such as local nature centers, Scientific Natural Areas (SNAs), regional parks, State Parks, RELCs, etc.
Jeffers is here to help with transportation costs.
Travel must be within Minnesota and completed in 2026. A limited number of grants of up to $2,000 per event are available.
Our popular Schoolyard Garden Grants are back!
Nearly 100 schoolyard gardens have been started or improved with these grants over the years. Check out our Garden 4 Every School page on our website and watch a few videos.
We support any kind of garden as long as it is used as an educational resource for your students. Grants are now available for up to $2,000 and need to be completed within two years.
Schools that dedicate space on school grounds to outdoor education reap powerful rewards. Having a dedicated space for outdoor learning makes classes outside easier for teachers and more stimulating for students.
Such a space can range from simple benches in a semicircle to landscaped places with boulders and bird feeders to roofed shelters with picnic tables and more.
Jeffers Foundation is offering a limited number of up to $5,000 matching grants to schools or other 501(c)(3) organizations throughout the state that would like to begin or enhance outdoor learning spaces. If your request is approved, we plan to share your experience with other educators throughout the state.
We believe students who receive powerful experiences with nature-based lessons will grow to love and care for our beautiful planet. We also think these experiences can last a lifetime.
Jeffers Foundation is offering a limited number of grants of up to $5,000 matching grants to schools or 501(c)(3) organizations in Minnesota with new, “out-of-the-box” ideas.
Jeffers is all about innovation! If your request is approved, we plan to share your experience with other educators throughout the state. Must be completed within two years.
Submit completed applications to: grants@jeffersfoundation.org
or
Jeffers Foundation
3884 Fountain Hills Dr NW, Suite A
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Grant FAQs
Will you fund overhead or programming costs - including salaries?
No. Grant money is for specific projects or field trips.
Is there a deadline for these grants?
Reviews are done on a rolling basis. These grants end on December 31, 2026.
What is the timeline for review?
Decisions are announced and payments sent within 3-4 weeks.
Do grants require matching funds?
The Outdoor Classroom and Innovation in Outdoor Education grants are matching grants. Not more than 50% of matching funds can be “in-kind”.
What geographic areas do you prioritize?
School/organization must be located in Minnesota.
Can we apply if we aren't a 501c3?
You must be a qualifying 501(c)(3) and have a nine-digit Federal Tax ID Number (EIN xx-xxxxxxx) to be awarded a grant.
Will you come out and check on our project?
Yes, for the Garden, Outdoor Classroom, and Innovation grants, we will come to your school/organization and take pictures and footage of your project to share on our website.
If my school received a grant (Garden 4 Every School or Big Green Bus Grant) in the past, can we apply in 2026?
Yes! A school can apply even if they have received a grant from Jeffers in the past.