Private Agriculture Grants

This grant provides financial support to enrolled tribal members and descendants who are artists residing in select Minnesota counties, helping them with costs related to creating and showcasing their artistic work.

This grant provides funding for full-time graduate students in the Western U.S. to collaborate with their academic advisors and local producers on projects that promote sustainable agriculture through research and education.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Charlottesville and Albemarle County that empower children and families through culinary education and improve access to healthy food for under-resourced community members.

The New Mexico Foundation is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in New Mexico, particularly those supporting rural communities, with a focus on areas such as nutrition, healthcare, recreation, animal welfare, and traditional social connections, aiming to promote social equity and improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans.

This fellowship program supports entrepreneurs in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area who are developing innovative solutions for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Massachusetts focused on education, food, health, and housing programs, particularly benefiting communities north of Boston.

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is offering Special Project Grants of $100,000 to $500,000 for a 3-year period to arts nonprofit organizations for youth arts programs, arts service organizations, and Asian and Pacific Islander arts and culture programming, with the application deadline set for October 9, 2024.

This grant provides financial support to small and mid-sized arts organizations in San Francisco that are deeply connected to their communities, helping them cover essential operating costs and foster artistic expression.

The Ursula Landsrath Animal Rescue Fund (ULARF) is now accepting applications for its 2024 grant cycle. Donor Name: Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties State: Virginia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Ursula Landsrath Animal Rescue Fund was founded in 2019 as a tribute to Ursula Landsrath. In addition to her career as a fashion model, movie stunt driver, skydiver, hotel manager, fashion boutique manager, and real estate investor, Ursula was a steadfast animal welfare advocate. In 2001, she founded the Animal Rescue Fund of Virginia that distributed more than $1 million in grants around the Commonwealth. ULARF continues her legacy and will consider applications from nonprofit organizations serving or rescuing animals in Virginia. Funding Priorities Spay/neuter, Trap Neuter Return programs for feral cats; Emergency medical funds, supplies, and equipment for farm, domestic, or wild animals; Costs of emergency repairs to organization facilities (unanticipated electrical/plumbing/water heaters, etc); Public outreach and education program expenses; and/or, Virginia-based regional animal assistance organizations providing support to smaller, local animal rescue or assistance organizations. Funding Information  Grants are expected to range from $1,000 to $3,000 per organization. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity in good standing with the IRS; Applicants must be an animal welfare organization; Applicants must be incorporated and operational in Virginia, Applicants must be in operation for a minimum of 12 full months prior applying. Organizations may only submit one application to ULARF per year. Ineligibility ULARF will generally not consider funding for wages, salaries, personnel, or training expenses. ULARF will not provide funding for fundraising or development costs. ULARF will generally not consider funding for vehicle purchases. ULARF will generally not consider funding for animal-assisted human therapy services; however, animal-assisted therapy organizations may be considered only if animal rescue is a considerable part of their mission, programming, and funding request. For more information, visit CFLNFC.

The Sarah G. McCarthy Memorial Foundation is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for a one-year duration to charitable organizations in Peabody, MA, supporting various sectors including arts, education, health, and housing, with applications open until September 30, 2024.

The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, a regional government agency, allocates funds for restoring and enhancing wetland and wildlife habitats along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Grants exceeding $1 million are available for projects lasting up to five years, with a deadline of September 20, 2024. Eligible projects must be located within the nine Bay Area counties—Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma—and align with priorities outlined in Measure AA. These priorities include maximizing positive environmental impacts, ensuring geographic distribution, leveraging additional resources, and benefiting economically disadvantaged communities. The Authority funds various project phases, including planning, construction, and scientific studies, provided they support habitat restoration, flood management, or public access initiatives. Projects must meet specific criteria related to improving water quality, enhancing wildlife habitats, providing flood protection, and improving public access. Eligible applicants include federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, nonprofits, and shoreline parcel owners in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority website.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Research and Education (R&E) Grant Program is a competitive funding opportunity offering $100,000 to $500,000 for up to 3 years to researchers, educators, and organizations exploring sustainable agriculture, with the aim of improving economic viability, environmental quality, and quality of life in the North Central Region's agricultural sector.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects throughout the Northeast. Donor Name: Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The goal of this program is to help develop competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability, supporting operations of all sizes in successfully launching and sustaining their products in the marketplace.  This program is for:  Dairy farmers ready to begin processing,  Value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing and/or value-added business startups, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market, or  Dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in the start-up phase of business development. Funds are intended to support start-up operations, focusing on tangible implementation rather than research and development, concept development, or initial planning. Funding Information Total available funds: $500,000 Minimum: $15,000  Maximum: $75,000 Project Period Grant periods will range from 12 – 18 months, depending on the project.  Eligibility Criteria This grant is open to applicants from all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:  Dairy farmer that:  Produces milk within the Northeast  Is a licensed dairy operation in compliance with all required state and federal standards  Value-added business entrepreneur that meets the following requirements:  Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components  Has a business entity prior to applying  Can demonstrate experience in dairy processing and/or related value-added business startup, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market  Dairy processor established after January 1, 2023 that:  Has a business entity and milk processing license prior to applying  Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components.  Is in the start-up phase of business operations All applicants must also:  Be headquartered or based in the Northeast  Provide Proof of Concept demonstrating the viability of the business idea and product  Have a plan for new value-added dairy processing that includes market research, financial projections, a branding and marketing strategy, and a facility location  Obtain licenses to sell dairy products across state lines by the end of the grant period Launch their products in the marketplace or have a Letter of Commitment from a buyer, distributor, or retailer indicating plans to sell the product by the end of the grant period For more information, visit NE-DBIC.

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Partnership Grant Program is seeking applications to provide funding of $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers, aiming to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture.

The County of Kaua’i’s Office of Economic Development (OED) is accepting applications for innovative community projects that identify and solve local problems that will aid Kaua’i’s economy to generate short-term and long-term economic growth and diversification. Donor Name: Office of Economic Development State: Hawaii County: Kauai County (HI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: OED is requesting proposals from qualified not-for-profit organizations incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawaii, non- profit organizations exempt from the federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service or a Kaua’i-based businesses with a non-profit fiscal sponsor that they have previously worked with for its Innovation Grant for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  The intent of the grant program is to deploy innovation on-island in the areas of small business, technology, transportation, agriculture, local manufacturing, creative industries, workforce development, circular economies, tourism destination management and product development. Proposals must identify a known deficiency, problem, or need within the Kaua’i community and deploy an innovative community project that will be or has been successful in other contexts. Proposals submitted shall be reviewed and considered for the receipt of funding, to applicant organizations. Funding Information OED intends to award grants of $5,000-$50,000 each for different initiatives that align with RFP Project Specifications. Total funding will be no more than $460,000. Project Period The project funding period will be November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025.  Eligible Projects Eligible proposals include innovative new programs, or innovative new projects that advance innovation in the program areas of small business, technology, transportation, agriculture, local manufacturing, creative industries, sustainability, workforce development, circular economy, and tourism. Programs or projects currently funded with other County Grants will not be considered. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for award through this RFP, the proposer shall:  Be or have a sponsor that is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawaii and exempt from the federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service and based on Kaua’i. Non-profit organization governing board members shall have served without compensation and have no material conflict of interest.  Be a Hawaii based business with a Kaua’i non-profit fiscal sponsor and a project that is based 100% on Kaua’i.  Have a current Equity Plan in place and be able to describe your equity strategy going forward. Equity is defined as the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.  Both Businesses and Non-Profits must have signed, updated bylaws or policies that describe the way business is conducted including management, fiscal policies, and procedures (including a clear statement on who is allowed to sign documents on behalf of the organization), and policies on nepotism, equity, and the management of potential conflicts of interest. In addition, such bylaws must clearly state who is authorized to sign grant applications and contract for funding documents.  Have at least one (1) year of experience with the project or in the program area being offered. The Director may grant an exception to this requirement if the proposer has demonstrated the necessary experience in the program area.  Have staff or authorized representatives adequately trained to administer and provide the project described For more information, visit OED.

The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Kamehameha Schools are excited to announce the Ko‘olau Pilina Fund. Donor Name: Harold K.L. Castle Foundation State: Hawaii Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of the Koʻolau Pilina Fund (the fund) is to build community resilience in the Koʻolau region and follows a participatory approach to grantmaking in which a committee made up of Ko‘olau community members will vet proposals through an open, rolling application process. The committee hopes to help derisk new ideas, help to build capacity in the region and progress grassroots community efforts. Now in itʻs third year, the fund prioritizes projects specifically tailored to Ko‘olau communities on Oʻahu from Kahuku to Makapuʻu. Funding Priorities  The Pilina Fund Committee will prioritize projects that create more opportunities for: Strong families Supportive, safe, and prepared communities Interacting with ʻāina, farming, and food security in the region Improved health and wellbeing Community-based education and learning. Funding Information Request between $3,000 and $15,000. Program Requirements  The fund prioritizes projects tailored to Koʻolau communities and proposals must: Show alignment to Pilina Fund Values and Priorities; Come from or are sponsored by an organization with IRS 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status; Not duplicate program grants by the Castle Foundation. For more information, visit HKLCF.

The Resilient Futures Technology Grant Program by DroneDeploy is dedicated to fostering radical inclusion in urgent solutions. Donor Name: DroneDeploy State: All States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The mission is to enhance outcomes for underresourced populations by prioritizing advocacy, safety, and efficiency through reality capture technology. They envision a future where all communities have the necessary resources to build a resilient future. The Fund invests in organizations exploring innovative and novel approaches to build resilient futures. They seek to support organizations that improve the built and natural environment, where reality capture technology is inherent in the solution. Grantees’ support will include: Funding dollars (unrestricted) Product donation Product training, product support and employee expertise Thought leadership and amplification Examples of the work they might fund: Disaster preparedness or recovery Climate resilience and adaptation  Food security and sustainable agriculture Environmental pollution monitoring Indigenous land rights and safety Additional solutions they’ve not thought of Funding Information The grants range in size from $10,000 to $20,000 and are given as unrestricted funding. Eligibility Criteria Eligible organizations include tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities (or the equivalent if outside the U.S.), 501(c)(3) private foundations. They want to fund both larger established organizations and younger emerging organizations that meet these criteria. For more information, visit DroneDeploy.

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is currently applications for the 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program. Donor Name: Rural Advancement Foundation International State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: RAFI provides support to Historically Underserved farmers and ranchers  for projects that demonstrate an ability to increase farm viability; establish new markets for local products and services; develop new uses for existing structures and equipment; add value to existing farm products through processing, packaging or marketing; make optimal use of on-farm and natural resources; and Cultural/Heritage projects which are focused on preserving and continuing a specific agrarian tradition.  Funding priority will be given to proposals with: High expected impact on farm viability and sustainability Strong project feasibility and planning: a clear plan, detailed budget and timeline, and all supporting documentation included.  Farmers who earn a significant amount of their household income from the farm operation.  Individual financial need, or location in an economically disadvantaged area Project tangibly benefits the surrounding community Farm uses agroecological and/or or ancestral farming practices  Funding Information Applicants may request up to $10,000 in funding.  Eligibility Criteria You are a historically underserved farmer or rancher, as defined by NRCS.  You are applying as either an individual farmer owner/co-owner or as a farm cooperative If applying as a cooperative or collaborative, at least 50% of the cooperative or collaborative must meet eligibility criteria.  You are in at least your fourth full growing season of farming and have worked at least two years in your current farming operation and location.  You are a “livelihood” farmer/rancher or are seeking a long term career that financially supports you through agriculture  You complete and submit an application by the deadline. You submit only one application (as an individual or a collective). If you submit more than one application, neither will be considered. You have NOT received a RAFI infrastructure grant before (2020-2023).  Your farm is located in one of the following states AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. For more information, visit RAFI.

The EQT Foundation Grant program supports nonprofits that demonstrate positive, needed, and trusted impacts throughout their community with special attention given to proposals grounded in analysis that demonstrate creative approaches to addressing critical issues. Donor Name: EQT Foundation State: Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Since its inception, the EQT Foundation has awarded more than $74 million to nonprofits throughout the operational footprint of EQT Corporation. They are committed to supporting the education and training of children and adults; the development of diverse, livable communities; and preserving our natural environments. EQT Foundation believes in meaningful engagement with the communities they call home and they take great pride in being a responsible and responsive corporate citizens. Through a practice of trust-based philanthropy, they focus their resources on areas that have a direct effect on the stability of communities and, in turn, contribute to the success of business operations in those areas. Priorities The EQT Foundation’s funding strategy endorses organizations and programs that directly impact the community and its residents. The Foundation supports nonprofits that demonstrate positive, needed, and trusted impacts throughout their community with special attention given to proposals grounded in analysis that demonstrate creative approaches to addressing critical issues. The EQT Foundation also seeks evidence of: Geographic setting that aligns with EQT Corporation’s business locations; Ability to manage available resources effectively; and Outreach that gains solid public recognition and support for the nonprofit, its programs and sponsors. Priorities The EQT Foundation’s funding strategy endorses organizations and programs that directly impact the community and its residents. The EQT Foundation also seeks evidence of: Geographic setting that aligns with EQT Corporation’s business locations; Ability to manage available resources effectively; and Outreach that gains solid public recognition and support for the nonprofit, its programs and sponsors. Community Enrichment : Encourage the development of diverse, safe, healthy, and sustainable communities, which can help to retain residential, commercial and economic growth. Examples: Food banks, libraries, farmers markets, arts & music programs, community festivals & initiatives. Education & Workforce: Promote proficiency in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics for youth, as well as training programs to create a future skilled workforce. Examples: In-school STEM-based curricula, computer and science camps, project-based learning, teacher professional development, career planning and preparation. Environment: Support the preservation of natural resources, and educate children, residents, and businesses to employ conservation techniques to minimize adverse impacts on the environment. Examples: community gardens, watershed conservation, environmental education, preservation and restoration of green spaces. Funding Information While grant sizes can vary greatly depending on the scope of a project, the average grant awarded by the EQT Foundation is $15,000. Geographic Areas The EQT Foundation tends to award grants in the same geographic footprint of EQT Corporation’s business operations. For the most part, that includes southwestern Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland Counties), northeastern Pennsylvania (Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Tioga), northern West Virginia (Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Tyler, Wetzel Counties) and eastern Ohio (Belmont County). For more information, visit EQT Foundation.