K-12 students invited to apply for City’s ‘Go Green’ grant program

To promote environmental stewardship and education, the City of Johns Creek invites K-12 students to apply for its “Go Green” Grant program.

Students are asked to lead and participate in projects that occur in classrooms, on school property, or as part of a school sanctioned event that have a positive environmental impact and/or promote awareness and provide education around that sustainability topic. Eligible topics include but are not limited to water conservation, habitat restoration, air quality, pollinators, wildlife protection, recycling/waste reduction, green energy, and food systems (gardening and composting).

The dispersion of grants for K-12 community projects is part of the City of Johns Creek’s Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Green Communities certification process as a component of youth engagement.

Eligible groups

Groups should be K-12 sanctioned clubs or classes within public or private schools that are located within Johns Creek. Examples could include the following:

• Science clubs or honor societies
• Environmental/Gardening/Recycling clubs
• AP Environmental Science classes
• Classrooms (K-5) or grade levels (K-5)

Ineligible Groups

In an effort to promote K-12 community projects, some groups are not eligible for this grant:

• Individual students or groups of students that do not belong to a formal organization
• Eagle Scouts/Boy Scouts or Gold Award/Girl Scouts
• Non-profit groups
• Private businesses
• Private individuals

Eligible Topics

1. Water conservation
2. Habitat restoration
3. Air quality
4. Pollinators
5. Wildlife protection
6. Recycling/waste reduction
7. Green energy
8. Food systems (gardening or composting)
9. Other sustainability or conservation topic

Project Goals

Projects should accomplish each of the following goals:

1. Aim to education or raise awareness on an eligible sustainability topic
2. Empower students through the planning, execution, and/or education part of the project
3. Involve hands on activities for the group of students involved
4. Benefit or improve the local environment or habitat at the project location OR have a general positive environmental impact.

Project Requirements

1. Projects should be able to be completed within the 2023-2024 school year.
2. Projects must have prior approval of the school principal prior to application.
3. Projects should have at least one designated teacher/faculty supervisor and one designated student leader.
4. Project should either introduce a new education topic/project, or substantially improve/change an existing project.

Application Process

• Students and teacher sponsors should present their project to their principal and get a letter of approval prior to applying. Applications without a letter of approval will not be considered.
• Applications should be completed online. Applications will not be accepted via email or any other method. Application questions should be answered as thoroughly as possible!
• Deadline extended: Applications are due by Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 by 5 p.m.
• Applicants will be notified of awards via email by Oct. 27, 2023 by 5 p.m. Depending on the volume of applications, not all applicants may receive a grant. Not all grant money may be awarded.
• Following award, grant funds will be sent via mail to the school address included as part of the application. Applicants will be required to share project progress updates and photos.

Example Projects and Eligible Expenses

The projects listed below are provided as examples for reference.

Planting a pollinator garden on school property and using it to teach biology or habitat curriculum.

• Purchasing plants, rocks, mulch, or other organic features.
• Hosting two “work days” for students and parent volunteers – purchasing water and snacks, renting equipment
• Purchasing long term maintenance equipment like hoses, shovels, fertilizer
• Purchasing education signage to be displayed at the project site

Starting a recycling club or program.

• Purchasing recycling bins
• Gas costs to drive recyclables to drop off locations
• Printing and laminating of educational signs
• Purchasing items for student meetings

Adding a compost station to an existing school garden.

• Purchasing a compost container and related supports
• Purchasing starting mulch or materials necessary
• Educational flyers for distribution or signage at the compost station

Questions? Contact Olivia Ammons at Olivia.Ammons@JohnsCreekGA.gov or call 678-512-3219.

View the Go Green grant application.

View the Go Green flyer (PDF)

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• Recycling & Sustainability