Private Agriculture Grants

Launched in 2024, the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation's Working Grant Program aims to support individuals in the beef industry, including ranching, beef production, or related areas supporting the beef value chain, who wish to start or grow their businesses. Financial assistance is provided to overcome barriers like equipment purchase, operational expenses, infrastructure building, or labor hiring. Eligibility is determined based on operation in economically depressed areas in Texas or Oklahoma, disadvantaged status, and difficulty in obtaining conventional financing. Grants are not guaranteed even if all eligibility requirements are met, and the foundation retains the discretion in funding decisions. Grant renewed every year. Grant Fall annual opening/closing deadline: November 1st to November 30th

The California Wildlands Grassroots Fund (Cal Wildlands), administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, aims to preserve California's wildlands by supporting the work of activists and organizations dedicated to their protection. This aligns directly with the Rose Foundation's broader mission for communities and the environment by fostering grassroots efforts that lead to permanent conservation, restoration, and stewardship of natural habitats. The program's core objective is to safeguard California's wilderness and native biological diversity through strategic, community-driven initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of Cal Wildlands are small nonprofit organizations with annual expenses and income of $200,000 or less, as well as individual activists with a proven track record in protecting California's natural landscapes, ecosystems, plants, and wildlife. The fund specifically targets geographic areas and advocacy efforts that have not traditionally received significant financial support, including rural communities. The impact goals are centered on achieving permanent protection for wildlands, which are defined as natural habitats capable of supporting significant native plant and animal life, through legislation or deed restrictions. The fund prioritizes discrete, project-specific support with concrete sites and strategies, particularly those in geographic or issue areas historically underserved by financial and political support. It strongly emphasizes community-based advocacy and organizing, where campaigns are steered by affected community members and largely driven by volunteers. Other key priorities include projects that establish or combat critical precedents, innovative strategies, and efforts to build diverse constituencies for wildlands protection, especially by engaging communities of color and non-traditional stakeholders. Cal Wildlands supports a broad range of strategies and activities to achieve its objectives. These include grassroots organizing, public education, legislative advocacy, media campaigns, lawsuits, scientific research (including citizen science), coalition building, and developing partnerships. Supported activities range from communications campaigns and strategic planning to hiring technical and legal experts, training, and restoration. The expected outcomes involve tangible advancements in wildlands and open space protection, increased community engagement in conservation efforts, and the establishment of critical precedents that can influence future protection initiatives, ultimately contributing to the long-term preservation of California's natural heritage and biodiversity.

The Wyoming Arts Council’s Performing Arts Fellowships program is designed to honor and support excellence in the fields of Music and Theatre/Dance. These fellowships are unrestricted awards of merit, providing $5,000 to artists. The program's core mission aligns with fostering artistic excellence within Wyoming by recognizing exceptional talent and providing financial support that allows artists to further their craft and impact the cultural landscape of the state. The selection process involves a jury of noted professionals who evaluate applicants based on appropriate media samples and artist statements, ensuring that the awards are granted to artists who demonstrate significant achievement and potential in their respective disciplines. The primary beneficiaries of this program are individual performing artists residing in Wyoming, specifically those engaged in music or theatre/dance. The program targets artists who are at least 18 years of age, not full-time students, U.S. citizens or legal residents, and have maintained domicile in Wyoming for a specified period. The impact goal is to enhance the artistic vitality of Wyoming by empowering its most talented performing artists. By providing unrestricted funds, the fellowship aims to give artists the freedom to pursue projects, training, or creative endeavors that will elevate their work and, in turn, enrich the artistic offerings within the state and potentially beyond. The program prioritizes artistic excellence and the advancement of individual artists' careers in music and theatre/dance. A key focus is on supporting artists who have a strong connection to Wyoming, as evidenced by residency requirements. The emphasis on merit, assessed through artistic samples and statements, ensures that the fellowships are awarded to those who have demonstrated a high level of accomplishment and commitment to their art form. The program’s strategic priorities include nurturing a vibrant arts community and ensuring that Wyoming artists have opportunities for professional recognition and growth. The theory of change posits that by investing directly in exceptional individual artists, the program will contribute to a stronger, more dynamic arts ecosystem in Wyoming. Expected outcomes of the Performing Arts Fellowships include an increase in the quality and quantity of artistic output by award recipients, enhanced professional development opportunities for Wyoming artists, and a heightened profile for Wyoming's performing arts scene. Measurable results could include tracking the artistic achievements and career advancements of past fellows, such as new performances, compositions, choreographic works, national or international recognition, and the overall impact of their work on local communities. While the grant duration is not specified, the ongoing nature of the fellowship program, with a maximum of two awards per artist lifetime and a four-year waiting period between fellowships, suggests a sustained commitment to long-term artistic development within the state.

The OCCF Community Investment Grant Program is accepting applications throughout the year, with no specific due dates or deadlines. The grants aim to provide broad and diverse funding to support a strong and vibrant Owen County community. Eligible applicants include charitable organizations, schools, churches, and governmental agencies in or serving Owen County. If an organization does not meet the criteria but their project aligns with OCCF's charitable goals, they may be able to partner with a fiscal sponsor. The grant awards range from $1,001 to $5,000, with the option for organizations to crowdfund up to $10,000 or leverage OCCF's dollars through a matching campaign. The application deadlines for the Grants Committee review in 2024 are May 31st and September 30th. The funding categories include improving access to information on local issues and events, parks, trails, recreational programs, high-quality childcare and early childhood education. Additionally, requests for initiatives related to community wellness, culture, economic development, transportation, agriculture, natural resources, broadband access, historic & archaeological resources, hazard mitigation, innovation & entrepreneurship, and quality of place will be considered. Organizations that have previously received grants must submit a final report before applying again. For more information and to access the application form: [Link](https://www.grantinterface.com/Form/Preview?form=1113651&urlkey=occf)

This funding opportunity supports community-led projects in Philadelphia that promote food justice by empowering marginalized groups to access, grow, and sell healthy food in areas with limited fresh food availability.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers additional Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program categories to conserve natural areas, critical habitat, riparian corridors, and urban wildlife habitat, and to restore and enhance state lands. The program aims to secure habitat before it is lost and to support restoration where needed. Funding parameters vary by category. Riparian Protection requires a minimum request of 25,000 dollars with no cap. State Lands Restoration and Enhancement requires a minimum of 25,000 dollars and allows up to 1,000,000 dollars for a single site and 500,000 dollars for multi site projects. Urban Wildlife Habitat, Critical Habitat, and Natural Areas follow category rules as published. Eligible work includes land acquisition through perpetual or long term interests and associated incidental costs, development of low impact facilities such as paths, viewing shelters, restrooms, and interpretive elements, and restoration activities such as ecological restoration, shoreline work, fish passage improvements, and native plantings. Some categories allow habitat creation and site stewardship planning. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, towns, federally recognized tribes, nonprofit nature conservancies, special purpose and port districts, and state agencies, as defined per category. Projects are expected to deliver durable conservation outcomes and public benefit consistent with category requirements. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Official information is available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

This grant provides funding to eligible organizations focused on improving environmental health and justice in the Great Lakes region, particularly addressing water quality, lead hazards, and air quality in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties in Michigan.

This grant provides funding to support small farmers and public entities in Maryland to aggregate local food products for sale to wholesale and institutional markets, enhancing the local food system.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit visual, music, and performing arts organizations in Broward County, Florida, enabling them to deliver high-quality cultural programs and arts education for K-12 students.

This funding opportunity supports Tribal and Native-controlled initiatives that promote self-determination in food systems, focusing on community empowerment, cultural heritage, and intergenerational knowledge.

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 funding opportunity provides up to $5,000 to South Carolina law enforcement and code enforcement agencies to improve litter prevention and enforcement efforts.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Monterey County, California, that aim to improve the well-being of individuals and families, promote cultural activities, and enhance community services.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits and local governments in restoring and enhancing the natural environment of the Connecticut River watershed, focusing on projects that provide unique environmental benefits.

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is offering Heal Mini-Grants, a funding opportunity designed to support healthy eating or active living projects. These grants specifically target policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change in community health. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by its past award to Wholespire, is to promote the health of South Carolina’s economically challenged population. The Heal Mini-Grants align with this mission by creating opportunities for equitable access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity, recognizing that individual choices are influenced by available options. The target beneficiaries include community members, students, employees, and devout individuals who will benefit from increased opportunities to make healthy choices and engage in physical activity. The impact goals are to foster healthier communities by addressing systemic barriers to well-being. This is achieved by supporting projects that either serve as seed money for new initiatives, help progress existing ones, or provide the final push to complete ongoing projects, all within a 9-month grant period. The program's priorities and focus areas are exclusively related to healthy eating and/or active living, with a strong emphasis on implementing or supporting PSE change projects. Examples of funded projects include establishing or promoting SNAP/Healthy Bucks at farmers' markets, creating sustainable food-gleaning stations, installing water bottle refill stations, improving playgrounds, supporting active communities with bike racks and crosswalks, and enhancing community trails with signage and amenities. These examples highlight the commitment to creating environments that naturally encourage healthier lifestyles. Expected outcomes include increased access to healthy food options and greater opportunities for physical activity within communities. Measurable results would stem from the implementation of tangible PSE changes, such as the establishment of new programs, improvements to existing infrastructure, or the adoption of supportive policies. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on community health improvement through practical, environmental interventions. Their theory of change appears to be that by altering the policy, systems, and environmental landscape, individuals will naturally be empowered to make healthier choices, leading to a more active and well-nourished population.

This program provides funding to small and mid-sized food businesses in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah to help them expand their market access and improve their operations.

This grant provides financial support to farmers and ranchers in the Southern U.S. for small-scale research projects that promote sustainable agricultural practices and address production and marketing challenges.

This program provides financial support to small-scale, sustainable farms in metro Atlanta to improve their operations and enhance their contributions to the local food system.

The Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program, offered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), is designed to combat and prevent illegal dumping on agricultural properties across California. This program aligns with the broader mission of environmental stewardship and resource recovery by directly addressing waste management issues in rural areas. By providing financial assistance, the program supports the cleanup of existing waste and establishes preventative measures to protect farmlands and ranches from future illegal dumping, contributing to the overall health and sustainability of California's agricultural sector. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and federally recognized tribes that can apply on behalf of farm or ranch property owners. The impact goals are to reduce environmental blight, prevent pollution, and promote responsible waste disposal practices in agricultural communities. The program targets properties that are appropriately zoned or authorized for agricultural activities, regardless of active sales or production, and includes appurtenant easements like public roads and utilities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to rural waste management. The program's priorities and focuses are clear: to provide funding for both cleanup and abatement efforts. This includes the removal of existing illegal dump sites and the implementation of strategies to deter future dumping. The grant emphasizes practical, on-the-ground solutions for waste management, recognizing the unique challenges faced by farm and ranch properties. This focus contributes to a cleaner environment, reduces public health risks associated with illegal dumping, and supports the economic viability of agricultural lands by preserving their natural integrity. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in the number and size of illegal dump sites on agricultural properties, as well as an increase in awareness and adoption of legal waste disposal methods. The program has substantial funding, with $1,000,000 available each fiscal year, and a maximum of $200,000 per applicant per fiscal year, with $50,000 being the maximum for each cleanup site. These financial incentives are designed to encourage broad participation and achieve significant results in waste abatement. CalRecycle's strategic priorities, reflected in this grant, revolve around fostering a circular economy and protecting California's natural resources. The theory of change posits that by providing targeted financial assistance and promoting community-level engagement, the program can effectively mitigate the problem of illegal dumping. This, in turn, leads to healthier ecosystems, supports agricultural productivity, and enhances the quality of life for residents in rural areas, ultimately contributing to California's environmental and economic resilience.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and county Farm Bureaus for educational programs that promote agricultural literacy among K-12 students across the United States.