Melinda Vaughn School Pollinator Fund

The Melinda Vaughn School Pollinator Fund is dedicated to supporting nature-based learning, expanding pollinator habitat in Minnesota, and creating a community around those efforts.

One out of every three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators, and it's a critical time for them. One big way we can help is providing more habitat. Another way is increasing awareness of the importance of pollinators and promoting conservation.

The Melinda Vaughn School Pollinator Fund has a dual focus of supporting students and pollinators – building pollinator education and creating habitat. We provide funding and other resources to Minnesota K-12 schools for native plant pollinator gardens and pollinator programming, prioritizing under-resourced schools. 

Our organization was founded by Jenny Scholtes to honor her sister Melinda, who passed away from COVID-19 before a vaccine was available. Melinda’s love of flowers, plants, wildlife, and nature education guide our work. 

Outdoor learning connects kids to nature, and allowing students to learn in an outdoor setting has been proven to improve their well-being, motivation, and academic performance. We are working to create more opportunities for Minnesota students to experience nature in their daily lives as well as take a leadership role in helping to protect pollinators. 

Two schools in the Minneapolis Public Schools district will be selected to receive grants for the 2022-2023 school year. Other districts will be included in future years. 

Individual donations play a key role in funding our grant program. Thank you for helping us to protect pollinators and bring pollinator education to Minnesota schools!