Civic Improvement
& Grants

The Civic Improvement & Grants Committee provides guidance and administers monetary grants to projects in local communities whose efforts are in line with the GCA’s purpose, vision, mission, and values.

Civic improvement projects funded by grants from the Garden Club of America.

Grants received by The Shreveport Garden Study Club are highlighted below:

Restoration Initiative  |  Ford Park  |  2024

The Shreveport Garden Study Club was honored to receive a $10,000 Restoration Initiative Grant from the Garden Club of America. These grants assist clubs and their communities in rebuilding public spaces devastated by weather-related natural disasters.

On June 16, 2023, a catastrophic storm swept across North Louisiana, destroying hundreds of trees in Shreveport and throughout Caddo Parish. Ford Park, one of the city’s largest and most visited parks, lost 27 trees, with many more damaged. Because of the widespread destruction, Caddo Parish was declared a disaster area.

With support from the grant, SGSC partnered with the City of Shreveport and Shreveport Green to remove storm debris and restore the park. Funds were used to clear root balls and stumps and prepare sites for new plantings. In addition, SGSC contributed $1,000 for replacement trees. Together, we not only replanted the 27 lost trees but also added 23 more, enhancing the 85-acre park for generations to come.

On April 3, 2024, ABC World News Tonight filmed the tree-planting event, where community members and local media received educational materials on the importance of tree replacement. The story aired nationally on Arbor Day, April 26, 2024.

Through the GCA Restoration Initiative Grant, SGSC helped restore one of Shreveport’s most beloved public spaces while strengthening community awareness, education, and long-term stewardship.

Founders Fund  |  Greenwood Cemetery  |  2011

The Shreveport Garden Study Club was honored to be named a finalist for the Garden Club of America’s Founders Fund Grant in 2011. The Founders Fund grant is awarded annually to exceptional community projects proposed by member clubs, with three finalists selected for a national vote by the GCA membership. SGSC was recognized as runner-up and received $10,000 to support its work at Greenwood Cemetery, one of Shreveport’s oldest and most historic burial grounds.

Project Overview
The project was co-chaired by Susan Hardtner, representing both SGSC and the Friends of Greenwood Cemetery. Guided by a Master Plan designed by Jon Stidger Emerson (1935-2025), a renowned landscape architect, the grant funds were used to create a pond and pavilion on the south side of the cemetery. These features provide an outdoor classroom where students and visitors can explore the ecology, flora, and fauna of the area while also learning about the many historic figures interred at Greenwood Cemetery, including city mayors, state governors, and notable military and artistic leaders.

As Susan Hardtner explained, “What we’re trying to do is add a dimension to our existing educational program that is horticultural. The goal is to enhance our educational opportunities for children and adults.”

Additional improvements at Greenwood Cemetery include new interpretive signage offering historical context, guides to significant sections and burials, and the restoration of selected tombs and crypts. Together, these efforts expand the cemetery’s role as both a site of historic preservation and a place of education and reflection.

Through the support of the Founders Fund Grant, SGSC advanced the preservation and interpretation of Greenwood Cemetery, ensuring that its natural and historical resources continue to educate and inspire the Shreveport community.