The Fund-a-Farmer Systems Change and Innovation Grant is offered by Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT), a nonprofit committed to improving farm animal welfare through direct support for farms transitioning to more humane and sustainable systems. This grant targets farms undergoing or exploring major structural changes that advance animal welfare through innovation, infrastructure development, and cooperative practices.
For the current cycle, FACT will fund two grants of $10,000 each for projects that align with transformative goals in animal welfare. Eligible projects include business plan development or feasibility studies to assess the practicality of significant operational shifts, such as transitioning from enclosed to pasture-based systems. Additionally, farms may seek funding to install necessary infrastructure to support such changes. This includes modifications like converting hog operations from hoop houses or barns to pasture-based systems, or building facilities needed for pasture access.
The grant also supports the adoption of alternative breeds by funding genetics sourcing, feed and housing adjustments, and marketing efforts. Furthermore, applicants can propose cooperative marketing models or shared systems for pasture-based farms. Projects that formalize shared operations through cooperative agreements and documentation are particularly encouraged. FACT notes a preference for proposals from farms interested in collaborative efforts or transitioning from confinement operations to pasture systems.
Applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Funding decisions will be announced by the end of February 2026, and grant disbursements are expected during the second week of March. Projects must be completed by June 1, 2027. Applicants may apply for both the Systems Change and the Welfare Improvement grants, but only one award will be granted per farm.
FACT's initiative is underwritten by Food:Land:Opportunity, the ASPCA, and community supporters. The Systems Change and Innovation Grant is competitive and seeks forward-thinking proposals that have a measurable impact on animal welfare and systemic change within the farming community.
Emphasize the project's concrete impact on animal welfare and clear project steps with timelines, as these carry the highest scoring weight (10 and 5 points respectively)
