The Leesburg Garden Club (LGC), a 501(c)3 organization announces the availability of grant funding through the LGC Community Outreach Grant Program beginning November 15. The LGC established the grant program in 2017 when the Club saw a distinct need to provide project funding to nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations who share in the expressed Mission of the LGC. That Mission states "The object of the Club shall be to promote active interest in gardening and to assist in the protection and development of the natural beauties of the State". It is the intent of the Club to select from applicants a project within Loudoun County either urban or rural which best reflects the furtherance of the Mission of the Club.

It is the hope that through this notice of intent to solicit grant seekers the Club will award funding for a project that will engage community members in making their environment clean, sustainable, beautiful and lasting for future generations.

Prior to the establishment of the grant program, the LGC has, for 104 years, shouldered many projects in Leesburg and Loudoun County. The projects are cited as examples for their benefit to the community and conformance to the Mission. In 2015, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the LGC, "The Native Tree Walk" was inaugurated. It is situated at the southwestern side of Ida Lee Park, accessible by foot, bicycle and wheel chair alike, and is a well-planned planting of native tree species. Each tree has a placard which gives an interactive description and the benefit of each tree. Planning the project and funding to purchase trees was provided by the LGC.

Other project examples of the LGC include tree plantings at the Douglass School and Community Center complete with a bench for resting and enjoying the cool soft shade of the trees. Additionally, members have planted an embankment garden along Edwards Ferry Road outside of the George C. Marshall home, provided assistant gardening effort at Oatlands, and furnished daffodil bulbs for planting at entrances to the Town of Leesburg among many other projects.

Recipients of grant funding since the 2017 establishment of the program are Oatlands Plantation and the Leesburg Elementary School. Oatlands required additional funding to complete the irrigation system within the 5-acre walled garden. Considered one of the finest historic gardens in Virginia, the walled, terraced garden was designed by George Carter in the early 19th century and constructed by enslaved people living on the plantation. Oatlands was awarded a grant to complete their project.

Leesburg Elementary School was also awarded a grant to support its outdoor garden classroom. The grant was used to buy equipment and supplies for their spring garden which the students care for during after-school sessions and other PTO parent-led educational activities.

The above are examples but are not limited in nature to the types of projects the LGC hopes to fund through its grant program. The Club would like to promote the availability of grants to local 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. Applications and further instructions can be found on the Leesburg Garden Club website leesburggardenclub.org under the heading "Community Outreach Applications".