The Plant Donation Program (PDP) is part of our third mission to provide assistance in creating Lepidoptera friendly habitats. We will grow and donate between 200-400 plants per year to qualifying HOAs, schools, parks, groups, organizations, and nonprofits who apply for a PDP Request.

HOAs are eligible to receive up to 10 plants per year.

Schools, parks, nonprofits, and other organizations are eligible to receive up to 20 plants per year.

We have pre-selected plants from our Keystone, Host, and Nectar Plant categories that you may request as a donation. Our intention is to fulfill your request as submitted; however, all donation awards are subject to availability of plants. We will substitute any unavailable plant with a suitable alternative.

Our PDP is intended to help groups and/or organizations seeking to create or maintain a butterfly, moth, or insect friendly garden or habitat. It is not intended for individuals or for personal benefit.

• The applicant is applying on behalf of a group or organization.
• The recipient (organization or group) must be located within North Carolina.
• All donated plants to the recipient must be planted and grown in North Carolina.
• The recipient agrees not to use any pesticides or herbicides on any donated plants.
• The recipient will use the donated plants for any of the following purposes: education, insect support, habitat restoration, public garden, HOA community garden, pollinator garden project, or other purpose(s) pre-approved by Backyard Butterflies.
• Recipients may re-apply to the program. Recipients are limited to receiving only one plant donation award per year.

If the PDP Donation Request Application is posted outside of the posted periods listed below, submissions that are received outside of the application periods will be considered for the next award period.

Spring Donation Awards:
Applications accepted January 1 – 31. Donations are distributed in May.

Fall Donation Awards:
Applications are accepted June 1 – 30th. Donations are distributed in October.

We currently fulfill donations requests on a first-come, first-served basis provided that we have adequate quantities of plants available. If in the event we experience failed or low germination rates we will equally distribute the plants that are available to the applicants for that specific donation period.

Applicants will be notified 1-3 weeks by email prior to the next upcoming plant sale fundraiser listed on the main plant sale fundraiser webpage. 

All applicants will be required to confirm that they accept their award by a given date. Awards will be forfeit if no confirmation is received by the requested date.