General Information

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional organization founded in 1899 representing landscape architects in private, public and academic practice. Its membership extends to include related design professionals, persons whose work involves landscape architecture, and interns in landscape architecture. The ASLA mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environment. The San Diego Chapter of ASLA was formed in 1976 to serve both the profession and the public on local issues dealing with the practice of landscape architecture. These issues include water conservation, political, environmental, urban design and quality of life issues. The “ASLA San Diego Community Grant “(Grant) was established in 1997 as a result of the Chapter’s commitment to the local community.

Intention

In order for the profession of landscape architecture to make its full contribution to the San Diego region, the accessibility and understanding of the profession must be made known to the public at-large. This Grant is intended to educate and enhance community awareness of the profession of landscape architecture as well as to provide a benefit to the community or environment. The grant may cover or contribute toward the cost of practical work, capital investment or professional services.

Eligibility

All non-profit community groups recognized by the IRS and located in San Diego County that have been in continuous existence as a non-profit group for a minimum of three (3) years are eligible to apply for the Grant. Projects must prove that they have the support and involvement of their community and/or environmental interests within San Diego County and applications must show a clear benefit to the wider community.

What kind of project is eligible?

This Grant may be used to fund an improvement project in total, be combined with other resources to supplement a project’s funding or may act as “seed” money to jump start a project with a bigger vision. Many different types of projects are eligible. Ideas include, but are not limited to:

• Conversion of a high water-use landscape to a water efficient landscape in a high visibility area
• Trail improvements and habitat enhancement in an environmental area
• Development of a vacant lot into a public recreation area
• Design of an existing paved street median into a low water landscaped community gateway
• Preparing a feasibility study to convert an urban block into a sustainability pilot
• Conversion of a concrete drainage channel into a bio-swale water quality feature
• Restoration of an historic landscape

Successful projects will:

• Demonstrate the importance of landscape architectural principles and practices in helping to conserve and enhance the natural and built landscape, promote sustainable design and preserve the cultural heritage of San Diego
• Have the support and involvement of local citizens and groups and provide some benefit to the environment or community.

How much grant aid is available?

One (1) $5,000.00 Community Grant will be awarded in late 2025 to a qualified applicant. Grant funds will be distributed for a period of one (1) year from the date of signature on the Grant Agreement up to and not exceeding $5,000. Reimbursement will be paid when the recipient organization submits a reimbursement claim form and qualifying receipts for project expenses incurred. Expenses must be directly associated with the planning, design, installation or completion of the project (e.g. landscape architectural services, construction materials) including but not limited to plant materials, hardscape, irrigation supplies, installation labor, etc.

Grant Guidelines

Incidental expenses or expenses currently funded on an on-going basis by the organization such as drinks for volunteers, food, mileage, staff salaries, permits, etc. are excluded from qualifying for reimbursement. The recipient is asked to submit a grant reimbursement form each quarter with receipts or paid invoices. When receipts are submitted, a project status update and a detailed breakdown of what the expenses are shall be provided. In all cases, an agreement setting out what is required must be signed prior to receipt of the grant. The applicant will need to keep records showing how they are meeting the San Diego Chapter Community Grant objectives and provide a mid-year (May) update to the San Diego Chapter to show project progress. The San Diego Chapter reserves the right to occasionally monitor the grant awardee’s progress towards completion of the project.

Application Selection Process

All applications (including the application form, project summary, letter(s) of community/elected official recommendations and proof of non-profit status (IRS Determination Letter/CA Secretary of State Active Status) will be initially assessed by the SDASLA Community Grant Committee who will use a grant checklist to determine the suitability of the project. The Committee will select two to three finalists from a list of applications meeting all selection criteria and present these to the full SDASLA Chapter Executive Board who, by majority vote, will select the Grant recipient. A Grant recipient representative and a guest will be invited to an SDASLA event (in late 2025) where the Community Grant Award recipient will be announced.

PAST SD/ASLA COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS

2025: Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy, San Diego River Science Field Station

2024: Julian Heritage Foundation, Town Square Project

2023: Cardiff Harbaugh Seaside Parkway Renderings

2022: Grove Park Project

2021: Juniper-Front Community Garden

2020: La Mesa Community Park and Recreation Foundation, La Mesa Community Garden at MacArthur Park

2019: Mercy Housing, Mercy Meditation Garden

2018: ARTS (A Reason to Survive), Paradise Creek Educational Gathering Space

2017: Native Plant Society, Cabrillo National Monument Headquarters Native Landscape Project

2016: B.A.M.E. CDC & H.A.C.E.R., Gilliam Family Community Space and Garden

2015: Living Coast Discover Center (Full Grant Recipient), Native Pollinator Garden + Loma Portal Elementary (Partial Grant Recipient), Ecological School Yard Project + Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation (Partial Grant Recipient), Ecological School Yard Project

2014: Bell Middle School, Project BELL Learning Landscape

2013: San Diego River Valley Conservancy, Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead Interpretive Signage

2012: La Mesa Spring Valley School District, Highwood Park outdoor Environmental Education Laboratory

2011: Colina Del Sol Park, Safety Project

2010: Friends of Famosa Slough, Observation Walkway

2009: Albert Einstein Academies, International Gardens

2008: Fallbrook Garden Club, La Paloma School Campus Improvement

2007: San Ysidro Business Association, Street Tree Improvements

2006: Point Loma High School Foundation, Project S.C.A.P.E. Landscape Plan

2005: La Jolla town Council Federation, Scripps Park Project

2004: Azalea Park Neighborhood Association, Poplar/Fairmont Street Improvement Project

2003: Casa Familiar Casitas de las Forecitas, Sellsway Street Improvement Project

2002: Euclid Avenue Revitalization Committee, Euclid Avenue Community Gateway