Foundation Programs
Overview
Grants under the AgVA Foundation will include but will not be limited to sponsorships of adult and youth programs, training, conferences, workshops, events and other gatherings. All applicants must be non-profit organizations and have tax exempt status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Recently, the program’s emphasis and guidelines have changed to reflect the evolution of agriculture over the past decade and there will be an attempt to focus on the following areas:
- Programs that meet nutritional, educational or leadership needs of rural youth;
- Mentoring, training and other programs for young and beginning farmers;
- Continuing education and training for existing farmers;
- Local events in rural communities that promote agriculture or local foods; and,
- Agricultural entrepreneurship education and training
Grants may be provided for local, state or regional programs/events. Grants may be made for one, two or three year periods and will be distributed in multi-year allocations. However grantees must meet prescribed milestones for the previous year in order to draw down funds for years two and three. Multi-year grants will be contingent on the AgVA Foundation budget having adequate funds to meet multi- year obligations.
Program Guidelines
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Applicants must be organized as a non-profit organization and have tax exempt status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
GRANT CEILINGS
- No recipient may receive more than $10,000 per year from the AgVA Foundation, however multi-year grants can be made for up to $30,000 with no more than $10,000 coming from any single budget year.
- Although grants are considered every quarter. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead because organizations are prohibited from receiving funding more than once each year.
FUNDING CRITERIA
The AgVA Foundation board will be focusing on the following criteria in evaluating the applications.
- Focus on one or more of the following:
- Local events in rural communities that promote agriculture or local foods;
- Agricultural entrepreneurship education and training
- Continuing education and training for existing farmers;
- Programs that meet nutritional, educational or leadership needs of rural youth;
- Mentoring, training and other programs for young and beginning farmers.
- The feasibility of the proposal and the likelihood that the project can be carried out effectively, on time and within budget, factors such as adequate planning, management & organization skills, relevant experience and adequate financing will be considered.
- Provide exposure for AgVA Foundation.
- Work with existing structures to “complement” (not compete) with existing organizations.
- Investigate potential to leverage our funding with USDA and other grants.
- Assess and compare impact per dollar of contribution.
- Greater consideration will be given to proposals that show both an immediate impact on those directly served and also a future indirect impact to the greater community or region.
- Priority will be given to organizations that have not received funding in the past.
- Program or activity must show that it can be self-sustaining after grant period has ended, if applicable.
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
- For-profit entities
- Political organizations and candidates
- Sectarian or denominational religious groups
- Purchase of tickets or items for any fund-raising event. Dues or memberships
Application Process
GRANT PROCESS
When an application is submitted to the AgVA Foundation office, staff will screen the application to assure the application is complete and that it meets the minimum requirements of the program. Applications where additional information is required will be notified what is missing and that information must be submitted in a timely manner in order to be considered in the current funding round. When an application is considered eligible and complete it will is sent to the AgVA Foundation board for its consideration.
FUNDING CYCLES AND APPLICATION DEADLINES.
- Completed and signed request forms are to be sent to the AgVA Foundation office at 2009 4th St SW, Suite 1, Mason City, Iowa 50401 or scanned and sent electronically to Info@AgVAFoundation.com.
- The board will meet quarterly to assess and decide on contribution requests.
- These meetings will be held during the second Friday of March, June, September, and December.
- Requests must be received by the last day of February, May, August, and November in order to be considered the following month.
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