Kevin Heinze Grow

What Kevin Heinze Grow does

Kevin Heinze Grow (KHG), legally Kevin Heinze Garden Centre Inc., is an Australian not-for-profit charitable organisation founded in 1979 by the late celebrity gardener Kevin Heinze in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Doncaster and Templestowe, with the Doncaster/Templestowe Council (now Manningham Council) securing the original Wetherby Rd lease. Headquartered in Doncaster, Victoria with a second site at Coburg (Peppertree Place) and a mobile Grow on the Go service across Manningham, Whitehorse, and Boroondara municipalities, KHG delivers therapeutic horticulture and community participation services to people with disabilities, individuals experiencing mental health challenges, and those at risk of social isolation. KHG self-describes as Australia's only dedicated therapeutic horticulture organisation.

KHG's core offering centres on the proprietary GROW Model, an evidence-based therapeutic framework refined over decades by Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioners and validated through over 50 years of international research, including active PhD research with Deakin University on therapeutic horticulture for adults with autism. The product portfolio spans core programmes (GROW Program, ReGROW, GROW on the Go, Teenage Program, Saturday Program, Café Program), NDIS Support Coordination, four allied health services (Art Therapy, Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy), the Grow Glen Eira employment pathway in partnership with Glen Eira City Council, Certificate I Transition Education with Catalyst Training/TAFE, and the FReeZA youth events programme. The organisation also operates two retail nurseries and Café Kevin, alongside an online shop for merchandise, gift vouchers, and a 40-year commemorative book.

Revenue is generated through a diversified NFP mix: NDIS service funding (recurring core supports and capacity-building), private and TAC funding, retail plant and café sales, tax-deductible donations and corporate sponsorships (Bunnings, Deloitte, Bendigo Bank, Dulux, Barry Plant, Western Bulldogs, Hoselink, Perpetual, Greater Melbourne Foundation), bequests and gifts in wills, and fee-for-service professional development seminars. Go-to-market is community-led via NDIS provider directories, support coordinator referrals, word-of-mouth, and events such as Spring Celebrations and Autumn Fairs. The organisation employs 51-100 staff, is governed by a Board of Management with no parent company, and is currently executing its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan under a newly announced CEO transition after the departure of Dr. Josh Fergeus.

Name

Kevin Heinze Grow

Legal name

Kevin Heinze Garden Centre Inc.

Website

https://kevinheinzegrow.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kevin Heinze Grow is an Australian not-for-profit founded in 1979 delivering evidence-based therapeutic horticulture programs and allied health services to people with disabilities, mental health challenges, and social isolation across two Melbourne sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic horticulture and disability services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Educational Support Services (61171), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAC

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAK

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAAAEAH

Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Noncredit Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Continuing Education (Noncredit) & Lifelong Learning Programs

Keywords

• Therapeutic horticulture
• Disability support services
• NDIS provider programs
• Community wellbeing services
• Allied health therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Doncaster

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. NDIS Service Funding: KHG is a registered NDIS provider delivering therapeutic horticulture programs funded through participants' NDIS plans, including core supports and capacity-building funding categories.
2. Nursery and Plant Sales: Sale of plants including natives, fruit trees, grasses, herbs, indoor plants, perennials, and vegetable seedlings. Plants are ethically produced by people with disabilities.
3. Café Kevin: Café operating at KHG sites, providing hospitality skills training and generating revenue through food and beverage sales.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations (over $2 are tax deductible in Australia), corporate sponsorships, and community fundraising events.
5. Bequests and Gifts in Wills: Legacy giving program where supporters leave gifts in their wills to fund future programs, equipment and facilities.
6. Private and TAC Funding: Therapeutic support services can also be accessed through private funding or the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
7. Professional Development: Fee-for-service training seminars on therapeutic horticulture for professionals in the disability sector, including online seminars and full-day workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kevin Heinze Grow delivers therapeutic horticulture programs and allied health supports to people with disabilities, mental health challenges, and those at risk of social isolation, structured around the proprietary GROW Model. Core services include the GROW Program, ReGROW, GROW on the Go mobile gardening, Caf\u00e9 and teenage programs, NDIS support coordination, and Art Therapy, Counselling, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy delivered in therapeutic garden settings. The organization is funded primarily through NDIS plans, complemented by nursery and caf\u00e9 retail, donations, and professional development seminars.

Product overview

Kevin Heinze Grow is Australia's only dedicated therapeutic horticulture organization providing a portfolio of programs and services centered on therapeutic horticulture for people with disabilities, mental health challenges, and those at risk of social isolation. The core offering is the GROW Program, an evidence-based therapeutic framework delivered across multiple program types including ReGROW (adult gardening group), GROW on the Go (mobile garden maintenance), Teenage Program, and Saturday Program. The organization operates retail nurseries and Cafe Kevin, and provides allied health therapeutic supports including Art Therapy, Counselling, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy in garden settings. Additional programs include NDIS Support Coordination, GROW Glen Eira (all-abilities horticulture employment training in partnership with Glen Eira City Council), Certificate I Transition Education (in partnership with TAFE/Catalyst Training), and FReeZA (inclusive youth events). The organization sells merchandise including gift vouchers, branded apparel, and commemorative books through its online shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GROW Program Core therapeutic horticulture program serving people of all ages and abilities, delivering personalized experiences that improve physical and emotional wellbeing through the evidence-based GROW Model.
• ReGROW Adult gardening group program providing therapeutic horticulture activities for adults in a group setting.
• GROW on the Go Mobile gardening service where participants work under skilled guidance to provide garden maintenance services (lawn-mowing, hedges, pruning, weeding, garden clean-ups, design, and mulching) to customers in the Manningham, Whitehorse, and Boroondara municipality.
• Cafe Program Hospitality skills program teaching participants skills in the hospitality industry through practical experience at Café Kevin.
• Teenage Program Therapeutic horticulture program for later years high school students transitioning to adulthood, focused on skill development and social connection.
• Support Coordination NDIS Support Coordination Services helping participants understand and manage their NDIS plans to pursue their goals, find the right programs and services, and build skills and confidence.
• Nurseries Retail nurseries stocked with natives, fruit trees, grasses, herbs, indoor plants, perennials, and seasonal seedlings sold to the public, with plants ethically produced by people with disabilities.
• Café Kevin On-site café serving refreshments to the public and providing hospitality training opportunities for participants.
• Art Therapy Professional art therapy service delivered in a therapeutic garden setting for participants who may find traditional therapy settings difficult.
• Counselling Professional counselling services provided in a therapeutic garden setting.
• Occupational Therapy Professional occupational therapy services integrated with therapeutic horticulture activities.
• Speech Therapy Professional speech pathology services supporting participants' communication goals in a therapeutic garden setting.
• GROW Glen Eira All-Abilities horticulture training program for young people with disability seeking open employment in horticulture, operated in partnership with Glen Eira City Council at the Ripponlea site.
• Certificate I Transition Education Certificate I Transition Education for NDIS participants covering independent living, work readiness, and budgeting skills, delivered in partnership with Catalyst Training/TAFE.
• Professional Development Seminars 11-part Therapeutic Horticulture Seminar Series for professionals starting, developing, or expanding their knowledge of therapeutic horticulture practice, including online seminars and full-day workshops.
• FReeZA Program Victorian Government initiative for young people aged 16-25 with disability to plan and run inclusive music, arts and cultural events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of families reported being 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with services
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable, minor and foundational.

• Glen Eira City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Grow Glen Eira - an innovative All-Abilities horticulture training program for young people with disability seeking open employment in horticulture. KHG and Glen Eira City Council collaborate to deliver the program at Ripponlea site.
• Catalyst TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership delivering Certificate I Transition Education to NDIS participants. Classes are delivered by qualified TAFE educators with participant support from KHG staff.
• Dylan Alcott FoundationnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for the 'Tramlines' accessible garden at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, creating a fully accessible garden for people with disabilities.
• Semken LandscapingnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional landscaping partner for the 'Tramlines' accessible garden at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Led the building process with construction support from Grow Glen Eira team.
• Vivid DesignsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partner for the 'Tramlines' accessible garden project at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
• Warners NurseriesminorOthersPlant supplier for the 'Tramlines' garden at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, providing plants and shrubs alongside KHG nursery stock.
• Therapeutic Horticulture Australia (THA)coreOthersPeak professional body for Therapeutic Horticulture in Australia with over 400 members. KHG staff and volunteers participate in THA events, seminars, and professional development. THA is a key point of contact for work and volunteer opportunities in the field.
• Barry PlantminorOthersCorporate supporter of KHG, displayed as sponsor on website.
• BunningsminorOthersCorporate supporter providing sponsorship for KHG programs.
• DuluxminorOthersCorporate supporter providing product sponsorship.
• Manningham CouncilminorOthersLocal government supporter. KHG site originally supported by Doncaster/Templestowe Council (now Manningham Council) securing the Wetherby Rd lease.
• Merri-Bek CouncilminorOthersLocal government supporter for KHG's Coburg operations.
• HoselinkminorOthersCorporate supporter and sponsor of KHG.
• Western BulldogsminorOthersAFL club supporter and sponsor of KHG programs.
• Kiwanis Club of Doncaster and TemplestowefoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner who worked with Kevin Heinze to establish the Kevin Heinze Garden Centre in 1979 as a place where people with disabilities could learn about gardening.
• Deakin UniversitynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership through PhD candidate Megan Dennis conducting research on benefits of therapeutic horticulture for adults with autism at KHG.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Yooralla: Yooralla is one of Victoria's largest disability service providers, offering NDIS-registered supports including day programs, therapy, and community participation. It is comparable to KHG as a Victorian disability nonprofit with overlapping NDIS-funded services, though broader and more diversified across age groups and disability types.
• Mind Australia: Mind Australia is a major Australian mental health nonprofit providing psychosocial support, community programs, and recovery-oriented services. Comparable to KHG as a not-for-profit addressing mental health and social isolation through non-clinical community-based interventions.
• Scope Australia: Scope Australia is a major Victorian disability nonprofit providing therapies, accommodation, and day programs to people with disabilities. Comparable to KHG as a large-scale Victorian disability service provider with overlapping allied health and community participation offerings.
• Aruma: Aruma is a national NDIS-registered disability service provider offering supported employment, day programs, therapy, and accommodation. Comparable to KHG as a major Australian disability nonprofit delivering community participation and employment pathway programs.
• Life Without Barriers: Life Without Barriers is one of Australia's largest NDIS providers delivering disability, child, youth, and aged care services nationwide. Comparable to KHG in the NDIS disability services category, though operating at much larger scale and broader geography.
• Jesuit Social Services: Jesuit Social Services is a Victorian social services nonprofit delivering disability, mental health, justice, and community programs including NDIS-funded services. Comparable to KHG as a Victorian nonprofit serving overlapping participant cohorts (disability, mental health, social isolation) under NDIS and community funding streams.

Emerging players

• Cultivating Community: Cultivating Community is a Melbourne-based nonprofit using gardening and food growing to address social inclusion, community health, and education outcomes. Comparable to KHG as a Victoria-based therapeutic/community gardening organisation with overlapping wellbeing and social connection objectives.

Direct peers

• Melba Support Services: Melba Support Services is a Victorian NDIS-registered provider offering supported independent living, day programs, and community participation for people with disabilities. Comparable to KHG as a directly aligned Victorian disability day-program provider serving NDIS participants.
• Sunnyfield: Sunnyfield is a NSW-based NDIS provider offering accommodation, day programs, and community participation for people with disabilities. Comparable to KHG as a state-level disability day-program nonprofit with overlapping NDIS-funded community participation services.
• ConnectAbility Australia: ConnectAbility Australia is an NDIS-registered provider on the Central Coast and Hunter region offering day programs, community participation, and therapy for people with disabilities. Comparable to KHG as a regional NDIS day-program provider delivering community-based disability and wellbeing programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kevinheinzegrow
• Xx.com/kevinheinzegrow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kevin-heinze-grow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kevin Heinze Grow