Plant Donation Program
PLANT GRANTS
Plant Grant Overview
The Plant Grant is part of our Plant Donation Program (PDP) and supports our third mission: providing assistance to create Lepidoptera-friendly habitats. We will donate a minimum of 50 Plant Grants (approximately 810 plants) per year to qualifying applicants.
• HOAs are eligible to receive one HOA Plant Grant per year containing 9 plants.
• Schools, parks, nonprofits, and other organizations are eligible to receive one Plant Grant per year containing 18 plants.
What plants are donated in a Plant Grant?
We have curated a selection of keystone, host, and nectar plants for each type of Plant Grant. While we intend to fulfill all grants as described, availability is limited. As a small, specialized nursery, we may occasionally experience failed or poor germination rates. If we are unable to provide the full selection of plants as described, we will offer comparable substitutes and notify you of any changes when issuing your official grant award.
The plants listed and described below are what will be awarded to qualifying Plant Grant applicants. HOAs will receive one of each species, all other organizations will receive 2 of each species.
Spring 2027 Plant Selection Coming Soon
Eligibility Requirements
Our Plant Grant is intended to support groups and organizations seeking to create or maintain butterfly-, moth-, or insect-friendly gardens or habitats. If you are unsure whether your project aligns with our eligibility requirements, please contact us before applying.
To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- The applicant must represent a group or organization.
- Applications for personal use or profit are not eligible.
- Donated plants must be installed in the ground as part of a permanent garden or habitat project within North Carolina. Plants may not be used for temporary installations, container gardening, resale, or relocation.
- The recipient organization or group must be located within North Carolina.
- All donated plants must be planted and grown in North Carolina.
- The recipient agrees not to use any pesticides or herbicides on donated plants.
- Donated plants must be used for one of the following purposes:
- Education garden or habitat
- Habitat restoration
- Public pollinator garden
- HOA community garden
- Pollinator garden project
- Other projects or purposes pre-approved by Backyard Butterflies
- Recipients may re-apply in future years but are limited to one Plant Grant award per year.
- For-profit businesses may apply, provided they clearly outline the intended use of the donated plants, fully describe the project, and explain why a donation is necessary instead of purchasing plants outright.
Application Periods
Spring Donation Awards:
Application period is April 1 — 8.
Donations are distributed in May during the Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser.
Fall Donation Awards:
Application period is September 1 — 8.
Donations are distributed in October during the Fall Plant Sale Fundraiser.
Application Process
To efficiently manage the volume of applications we receive, we use an automated application system that requires applicants to create a user account. Registration is free and quick to complete. Creating an account allows us to communicate with you throughout the Plant Grant process, including application updates, eligibility notifications, and award details.
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with all available Plant Grants typically fully allocated within the first 2 – 3 days of the application opening. If you are considering applying and have questions, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us as early as possible. Doing so allows us to hold a place for you in our applicant queue.
Application Timeline
We’ve made an important change to our Plant Grant program to reduce the amount of time applicants spend waiting to receive their plants. Previously, the time between applying for a Plant Grant and picking it up could range from four to six months. We’ve shortened that wait to just a couple of months!
The new timeline makes the process more predictable, so applicants know when to expect eligibility notifications, award announcements, and pickup scheduling.
For each month in which applications are accepted, the process follows this schedule:
- Application Period (1st–8th): Applications are accepted during this one-week period.
- Eligibility Notifications (15th): Applicants receive an email notifying them of their eligibility status.
- Plant Grant Award Notifications (15th): Eligible applicants selected to receive a Plant Grant receive a separate email announcing their award.
- Confirmation & Scheduling Deadline (22nd): Plant Grant recipients must confirm acceptance and schedule their pickup by the 22nd of the month.
- Plant Grant Pickup: Pickup dates and times will be provided in the scheduling email.
Important Not-So-Fine Print
Applicants are Responsible for Transportation
Our Plant Grant program serves the entire state of North Carolina. We are located in Hillsborough, Orange County. It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange for pick-up of their Plant Grant Award in either May or October. Please only apply if you are prepared to travel from your location to claim your Plant Grant.
A Shared Commitment: From Application to Pick-Up
Each Plant Grant is composed of plants newly propagated from seed specifically for the award recipient. Behind every Plant Grant is a substantial investment of time, energy, resources, and hands-on care. Seeds must germinate, seedlings must grow, and young plants must develop into healthy, vigorous transplants ready for distribution. This process takes several months and cannot be rushed.
We’ve revised our application and award timeline to reduce the time applicants spend waiting between applying for and receiving their Plant Grant. While this change offers greater convenience and a more predictable timeline for recipients, it does not change the time required to grow the plants themselves.
By submitting an application, you acknowledge that, if determined eligible and selected to receive a Plant Grant, you are expected to confirm acceptance and pick up your award within the designated timeframe. Each grant represents plants grown specifically for its recipient, and we ask applicants to apply only when they are prepared to follow through with the process and collect their plants as scheduled.
Get a Reminder
Our next application period opens on April 1, 2027.
Sign-up to receive a reminder to apply for a Plant Grant.