Grant Application Guidelines

Grant Categories

Growing the Good Food Movement
Grants in this category fund organizations or projects that seek to strengthen what Farm Aid calls the Good Food Movement, the growing number of Americans reaching for and demanding family farm-identified, local, organic or humanely-raised food. These grants build connections between farmers and consumers, creating new markets for family farmers.

Helping Farmers Thrive
Grants in this category fund organizations or projects that assist farmers transitioning to more sustainable and profitable farming practices, find alternative markets, or start a new farming operation as well as provide support services to farm families in crisis. These organizations are the core of the Farmer Resource Network which responds to individual farmers as well as regional events such as natural disasters.

Taking Action to Change the System
Grants in this category fund organizations or projects that promote fair farm policies and grassroots organizing campaigns to defend and bolster family farm-centered agriculture. These grants enable advocates to strengthen the voices of family farmers and promote their interests on a local, regional and national level.

Application Process

 

  • Grants are awarded in late December. Proposals must be post-marked no later than August 1st of any given year to be considered in that year's grant round.
  • Range of grants: $1,000-$20,000, most from $3,000-$7,500
  • Please do not submit proposals in binders, folders or booklets. Proposals will not be accepted over e-mail.
  • 1.5 spacing and double-sided proposals are appreciated.
  • To apply for a grant, please be sure to include the following information in this order:

View a sample grant proposal (pdf)

1. Basic Contact Info Download a coversheet for your grant application (Microsoft Word).

2. Introduction Proposal Summary (maximum 200 words)
Please include an explanation as to which grant category your project should be considered.

3. Body of the Proposal The content of this section will be weighed heavily in the evaluation process. Proposals that do not provide adequate detail, particularly on goals, objectives and strategies, will not be considered for funding.

Project description (maximum word count 300)
Please include the following information:

 

  • Problems or needs the project addresses
  • Who the project helps/target audience
  • What other organizations are involved as collaborative partners
  • How the project relates to similar efforts by other organizations

 

Project Goals and Objectives (maximum word count 750)
Goals should provide a clear statement about what the project aims to achieve.
Objectives should contain a precise explanation of what the project will achieve in terms of measurable, attainable elements.

Strategies and timeline (maximum word count 600)
This section should contain a detailed explanation of the work you intend to engage in to attain the stated goals and objectives, and a time frame for each strategy.

4. Budget Information - please include all of the following documents

 

  • Amount you are requesting from Farm Aid
  • Organization's current operating budget
  • Detailed project budget
  • Most recent complete year's organizational audited financial statement (expenses, revenue and balance sheet), if available
  • A copy of your IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt verification letter. If you do not have 501(c)(3) status, you must include the IRS 501(c)(3) letter and authorization from the organization acting as your fiscal agent.

 

5. Supplemental Information Background information on your organization:

 

  • History and major accomplishments (maximum word count 100)
  • Current programs and activities (maximum word count 100)
  • List of board of directors and staff members including contact information

 

6. Organizational Impact

 

  • Number of members
  • Percentage of members who are farmers
  • Number of farmers reached through hotline, outreach and educational workshops
  • Number of people in attendance at your meetings, conferences and seminars
  • Supporting material - recent newsletter and annual report, articles, news clippings, letters of support

 

Reporting

Farm Aid requires two reports per year.

  • The first report, due on July 15th of the grant year, should provide a narrative and financial information on how you have used your grant award in the first six months of the grant year. If the grant funds have been expended at this time, this report may be considered the final report, but must be identified as such in the cover letter.
  • The second report, due on February 1st of the following year, should update the same information through the end of the grant year and provide statistics for numbers of farmers reached through membership, outreach and hotline services.
  • Additional requests for support will not be considered until any and all outstanding grant reports are received and approved by Farm Aid.

The following types of projects are not eligible for Farm Aid funding:

  • grants or loans to individuals
  • grants or loans to support commercial operation of a farming enterprise
  • production of book, film, television, radio projects
  • projects outside the United States
  • projects directed or substantially funded by government bodies (federal, state, local)
  • legal defense funds
  • capital campaigns, equipment purchases, endowments or deficit financing
  • historic preservation of farmland or buildings
  • lobbying to influence elections or legislation
  • conferences, publications, or research projects unless they are directly connected to ongoing program activities

For more information or to submit a proposal, contact:
Hilde Steffey, Program Associate
11 Ward St., Ste. 200
Somerville, MA 02143
Tel: 1-800-FARM AID
e-mail: grants@farmaid.org