Working Here Fund Grants

AgCountry Farm Credit Services is a member-owned financial cooperative that supports agriculture and rural communities in parts of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. As part of its community engagement efforts, AgCountry offers the Working Here Fund grant program to reinforce its mission of bolstering rural vitality. The program is designed to provide targeted financial support to nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with four core focus areas: agriculture education, hunger relief, rural disaster relief, and rural health services. Through these grants, AgCountry aims to invest in the sustainability, safety, and overall well-being of the rural areas it serves. The Working Here Fund grant program operates with three distinct funding tiers to accommodate a range of project sizes and scopes. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded quarterly and are best suited for projects with short-term goals such as academic-year activities or urgent community needs. Semiannually, the program also offers larger grants of up to $15,000 and $25,000. These higher-tier grants require a more formal project plan and are intended for initiatives with longer-term goals, including capital campaigns, the development of community agricultural facilities, or disaster preparedness investments. For example, grants have supported initiatives such as 4-H and FFA chapter projects, community gardens, food banks, grain bin rescue equipment, and new agriculture education initiatives. Each funding tier comes with specific application requirements. While a formal plan is not needed for the $5,000 level, applications at the $15,000 and $25,000 levels must include documentation such as strategic or business plans and a total project budget that meets or exceeds the requested amount. For the highest funding tier, the grant can only fund up to 50% of the total project budget. Recipients are notified via email after the close of each deadline window, and organizations may receive only one Working Here Fund grant within any 12-month period, and no more than $25,000 across five years. The application process is managed through GrantsConnect, a third-party portal used for submitting and reviewing applications. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status that serve communities within AgCountry's defined service areas. These include numerous counties across three states. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed projects directly align with one or more of the program’s four key focus areas. AgCountry places a strong emphasis on projects that clearly reflect these goals and maintain consistency with its organizational values. While nonprofits are prioritized, the grant is discretionary, and AgCountry reserves the right to fully or partially fund approved applications based on available resources. Projects that fall outside the core funding areas—such as sports teams, fine arts programs, scholarships, religious or sectarian efforts, political activities, and individual or private enterprises—are categorically ineligible. Additionally, requests that conflict with AgCountry’s mission or ethics policies will not be considered. Applications are evaluated by an internal review committee, and while past recipients are welcome to apply again, repeat funding is not guaranteed. The deadlines for grant applications vary by tier. The next quarterly deadline for the $5,000 grants is March 31, 2026, with notifications sent in April 2026. Applications for the $15,000 and $25,000 grants are due by June 30, 2026, with recipients notified the following month. All grants follow a defined recurring cycle, with quarterly and biannual opportunities based on funding level. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare materials early and reach out to AgCountry at 800-450-9858 or via email for any clarification regarding eligibility or the application process. The grant portal through GrantsConnect will facilitate all submissions.

Applicants must align proposals with one or more of the four focus areas and avoid ineligible project types.