Community Building Grant Program
This funding opportunity provides financial support for construction or major renovations of community facilities in rural areas of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, focusing on projects that promote agriculture, education, and food security.
The Community Building Grant Program is a funding initiative managed by Compeer Financial, a member-owned cooperative serving rural communities and agriculture across 144 counties. Compeer Financial focuses on supporting the vitality and development of rural areas, particularly by fostering spaces that serve as hubs for community connection, education, and agricultural advancement. This grant program is designed specifically to support the construction of new facilities or major renovations of existing structures that meet a demonstrated need in rural communities. These projects must serve a broad cross-section of the local population and provide tangible support to farmers, agricultural communities, or related educational efforts. Examples of eligible projects include community centers, fairground buildings, agricultural education facilities, and buildings that serve food insecurity needs. Eligible applicants include public entities, community-based nonprofits, collaborative organizations, school-affiliated groups, and units of government. All applicants must ensure their projects are located within Compeer’s 144-county territory and are rural in nature or have a direct connection to agriculture or agricultural communities. Additionally, the proposed project must show strong community support and other financial backing. Importantly, the grant is not available for private, commercial, or for-profit initiatives and cannot be used for previously incurred expenses or general fundraising campaigns. Funding amounts range between $2,500 and $10,000 per project. Some projects, particularly those in early planning stages, may receive a pledge of commitment, with funds awarded upon groundbreaking. Partial funding is also a possibility, depending on project specifics and available resources. Projects such as healthcare facilities, town halls, police stations, and religious structures (with the exception of food pantries) are specifically excluded from eligibility. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, or until all funds for that calendar year have been awarded. There is no specific open or close date, making this grant a flexible opportunity for rural development projects. Applicants with questions can reach out directly to Compeer Financial via email at grants@compeer.com or by phone at 952-997-1255.
Award Range
$2,500 - $10,000
Total Program Funding
Not specified
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
Partial funding is possible Pledge commitments may be issued for early-stage projects Not eligible for fundraising, debt repayment, or for-profit use
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Projects must be located in Compeer’s 144-county territory Must be in a rural community or serve agriculture/farmers Must meet a clear community need and show community/financial support Must involve new construction or major renovation Not for commercial, private, business, or for-profit use
Geographic Eligibility
Illinois Counties: Adams, Boone, Bureau, Calhoun, Champaign, Coles, Daviess, DeKalb, Floyd, Ford, Fulton, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lawrence, Lee, Livingston, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Mendota, Ogle, Peoria, Rock, Saint Clair, Sangamon, Stark, Tazewell, Vermilion, Warren, Washington, Winnebago Minnesota Counties: Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Clayton, Dakota, Delaware, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Kenyon, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pine, Pipestone, Pope, Ramsey, Renville, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Stewartville, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wells, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine Wisconsin Counties: Barron, Buffalo, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Monroe, Outagamie, Pierce, Portage, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Waukesha, Waupaca, Wood
apply early in the year to increase their chances of receiving funding before the funds are fully allocated
Application Opens
Not specified
Application Closes
Not specified
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