# Rural Health Transformation Program: Community Gardens Grant

North Dakota Health and Human Services is offering $300,000 in federal RHTP funding for rural and tribal community garden projects. The grant opportunity is designed to improve nutrition, wellness, and community collaboration statewide through evidence-based practices and a six-component model for sustainable gardens. Allowable costs include items such as raised garden beds, small storage sheds (not on foundation), minor ADA-accessible improvements, and equipment. Hard-scape paths and any construction that increases property value are unallowable. Approximately ten awards of $30,000 each are expected. Eligible applicants include rural and tribal schools, civic groups, municipalities, health care facilities, parks and recreation entities, public health units, nonprofit organizations, and a range of other community-based entities. The program operates under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), funded by CMS.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: GRANT
- Issued by: North Dakota Health and Human Services (North Dakota)
- Posted: 2026-04-22
- Questions due: 2026-05-15
- Application due: 2026-05-22
- Funding: $5,000 – $30,000
- Eligible applicants: Rural School, Civic Group, Municipality, Health Care Facility, Parks and Recreation Entity, Public Health Unit, Non-profit, Tribal Health Department, Tribal Council, Tribal College, School, Community of Faith, Senior Center, Head Start Program, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Cultural Center, After-school Program, Worksite, 4-H Youth Development Program, Tribal Program, Hospital, Chamber of Commerce, Library, Community Center
- How to apply: Online via ND HHS Qualtrics application portal (accessible at www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation/funding)
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rhtp/community-gardens-project.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligibility is open to leaders of North Dakota’s rural and tribal communities, including but not limited to 4-H youth development programs, civic groups, municipalities, tribal councils, tribal colleges, tribal health departments, health care facilities, senior centers, worksites, public health units, schools, Head Start programs, cultural centers, after-school programs, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, communities of faith, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, chambers of commerce, parks and recreation, libraries, and community centers.

## Requirements

Submit application online via Qualtrics portal linked from ND HHS RHTP webpage. Application must include: Background Information (organization, lead contact, project title/description), Project Narrative (need/goals, target population, strategies/activities, measurable outcomes, sustainability), Action Plan (timeline/milestones, metrics, key personnel), Itemized Budget with justification (using ND HHS template). All components must address six success factors: people, plan, place, policies, publicity, preparation. Strategies and metrics must align with RHTP evaluation plan. Awardees must comply with federal eligibility, reporting, and unallowable cost requirements. Participation in technical assistance and quarterly meetings is mandatory. Funds must be expended by September 30, 2027; renewals possible for up to five years with satisfactory performance and continued federal funding.

## Required attachments

- Background Information
- Project Narrative
- Action Plan
- Budget
- Budget Justification

## Application package and source documents

- [ND - 2026 - Community Gardens Project Funding Opportunity Application Guidance](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/8528f844-f9da-4088-97e0-fa9d838c52f8/file) — official: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rhtp/community-gardens-project.pdf
- [ND - 2026 - RHTP Competitive Funding Opportunity Application Guidance: Community-Based Walking Program](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/9d5b0885-fb8f-4b5a-912d-8b7c9518b5cb/file) — official: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rhtp/community-based-walking-program.pdf
- [ND - 2026 - RHTP Technical Assistance for School-Based Wellness Equipment – July 1, 2026](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/2c6abee1-9239-4a95-9d8f-95827fd5a5c9/file) (primary) — official: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rhtp/20260707-school-based-wellness-equipment-TA-call.pdf
- [ND - 2026 - RHTP Technical Assistance for Community Gardens Project (TA call handout: Community Gardens Project)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/9f9e195b-fa6d-485b-8e31-6709ca5c5c58/file) — official: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rhtp/community-gardens-ta-call-handout-certified.pdf

More North Dakota RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/nd (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/nd.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/rural-health-transformation-program-community-gardens-grant--058a58c16e — data as of 2026-07-29.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.