[springfever]

Several years ago I was asked to be on a landscape committee for our local school system. Many people had ideas and there were several landscapers on the committee, but they wanted paid for doing a design. I offered to do it for free because I have three kids in the system myself and thought it was a great way to give back. I actually ended up getting the bid for the original project and have been asked to do EVERY project that has come up since. My relationship is so good with the administration that they have said no landscape project gets done on any school grounds without checking with ME first. It is the perfect situation. Well they are applying for grants like crazy and wanting more trees and projects this spring. What I would like to do is offer my own grant. Of course I would have it promoted heavily in the newspapers and on my website as good "free" PR for our company.

Has anyone done anything like this before? Am I shooting myself in the foot by calling it a grant? Should I just make it a donation instead? I am thinking about (2) $250 grant/donations for two projects this year. Maybe it is too little, maybe too much. But I thought if I could give the school system money, then get the work for it and get pr fromit to get more work, everyone wins.

Feedback APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stonehenge]

I can't say that I've ever offered my own grant. And I know absolutely nothing about the process, so take everything I'm about to say with a big grain of salt:

To set up a grant, I believe you'd probably need to get through some governmental red tape.

I also think you need to have an application process whereby others can apply for your grant.

You'll have to have a selection process.

Finally, you get to give away the grant money.

Again, I know nothing about it, but on the surface, for the money we're talking about, it would seem a nice donation would work as well. And that can still be spun into good PR.

[HardDaysKnight]

Why not sponsor a contest. Maybe the essay on ?, or the class/student that grows the best ?, something along those lines.
If you opt for the class, than you involve the whole school
and you can have 1st, 2nd and third prizes and the kids
learn about planting and your name gets the publicity.
Involve the local news and newspapers if you can.