The Working Here Fund

The Working Here Fund is sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America. This program offers grants to benefit agriculture and rural communities in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, or Wyoming, focusing on agriculture education, hunger relief, rural disaster relief, and rural health services.

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Supporting rural America with grants that benefit agriculture education, hunger relief, rural disaster relief, and rural health services. Our grant funding supports projects that align with one or more of our key focus areas: agricultural education, hunger relief, rural disaster response, and rural health services.

To be considered, all grant applications must demonstrate alignment with at least one focus area and serve communities in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, or Wyoming. The Working Here Fund grant program offers greater financial support, sized to meet the needs of both small and large projects. We award grants of up to $5,000 each quarter.

Twice a year, we award grants of up to $15,000 and up to $25,000. All grants align with our mission to serve agriculture and rural communities. Programs that support ag education for students, adults and families to expand their knowledge about agriculture through curriculum, programs, educational events, and other projects.

Initiatives focused on food insecurity that serve an immediate need, provide food rescue or help break the hunger cycle. Support in the event of natural disasters, assistance for first responders, or initiatives that impact life-and-death situations. Initiatives that address unique healthcare challenges in rural areas including mental health services and access to care.

We offer three funding options through our Working Here Fund program - each with unique requirements to support our rural communities. Our focus areas include ag education, hunger relief, rural disaster relief, and rural health services. Typically, an organization is eligible to receive no more than one Working Here Fund grant within a 12-month period and no more than $25,000 in five years.

Project has short-term goals (e.g., academic school year, hunger needs for current year) Grain bin rescue equipment 4-H and FFA Chapter projects Food bank and pantry needs Ag classroom curriculum and technology Project has long-term goals (in years) Project budget is $15,000+ Essential services facilities/equipment Greenhouses or high tunnel Project has long-term goals (in years) Project budget is $25,000+ (funding only available for up to 50% of total budget) Major agriculture or food distribution facility renovations Rural disaster relief large equipment purchases and updates Agricultural educational facility expansion programs New agriculture education initiatives Grant requirements and guidelines Applicants must demonstrate how contributions will be used for purposes that serve agriculture education, hunger relief, rural disaster relief, or rural health services.

Qualifying programs must benefit communities within the Farm Credit Services of America service area of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, or Wyoming. Grant requests must be consistent with the values and mission of FCSAmerica. FCSAmerica will not provide critiques of proposals submitted.

Grant requests that meet the selection criteria are considered by an FCSAmerica review committee. FCSAmerica gives priority to applications made by nonprofit organizations with an exempt status under IRS section 501(c)(3). Grants will not be awarded to the same or part of the same organization more than one time in a 12-month period or a maximum of $25,000 in five years.

FCSAmerica may choose to fully or partially fund grant requests. Previous grant funding does not guarantee continuing support to any organization. Grants are discretionary and restricted to a specific purpose.

Programs and projects of charities that do not support agriculture education, hunger relief, rural disaster relief, or rural health services. Contributions for political support purposes, scholarships, or memberships in professional societies or trade organizations. Individual or personal endeavors or projects, or individual farm operations.

Participation or entrance fees for charitable events or financing of charitable organizations. Religious or sectarian programs or groups that benefit the specific organization. Political campaigns, candidates, lobbying groups, or causes.

Sports teams or athletic events and competition, including equipment or uniforms related to sports. School activities or school booster club donations, including bands, choirs, or fine arts programs. Private foundations promoting personal hobbies.

Organizations or programs that are inconsistent with or do not align with non-discrimination, ethics, or other FCSAmerica policies, values, or mission. Organizations that in any way pose a conflict with FCSAmerica goals, programs, services, or employees. Contributions for state annual meetings and regularly scheduled conferences.

Grant Application Frequently Asked Questions What causes do the grants support? Agriculture Education: Programs that support ag education for students, adults and families to expand their knowledge about agriculture through curriculum, programs, educational events, and other projects. Hunger Relief: Initiatives focused on food insecurity that serve an immediate need, provide food rescue or help break the hunger cycle.

Rural Disaster Relief: Support in the event of natural disasters, assistance for first responders, or initiatives that impact life-and-death situations. Rural Health Services: Initiatives that address unique healthcare challenges in rural areas including mental health services and access to care. What are the steps to apply for a Working Here Fund grant on GrantsConnect?

Click Apply for $5,000 , Apply for $15,000 or Apply for $25,000 . You will be directed to GrantsConnect, our secure grant application site. On the GrantsConnect page, click the Sign-Up tab in the upper right corner of the page.

Complete the eligibility questions, then all application fields and required information. Note: Watch for an email from YourCause stating “Application Submitted. ” YourCause is the partner that securely provides the GrantsConnect application site.

When I click the “apply” button, it takes me to a different website called GrantsConnect. What is it? GrantsConnect is the secure website platform to complete and manage Working Here Fund grant applications.

The secure GrantsConnect platform is maintained by our partner, YourCause. Will I need to set up different accounts to apply for a $5,000, $15,000 or $25,000 grant? No, you only need to set up one account for your nonprofit organization to apply for any grant, and future grants.

When I click the apply button for $5,000, $15,000 or $25,000 grants, it looks like it takes me to the same website. Does it matter which button I click to apply? Yes, it does matter which button is clicked when applying.

Each Apply button directs you to all the $5,000, $15,000 or $25,000 grant applications. You will use the same login for either grant application. I forgot my password.

How do I apply for a grant? Grant submissions are managed on GrantsConnect. Visit the GrantsConnect website and click the link, "Forgot your password?"

Then, you will directed through a process of resetting your password. Working Here Fund Grants Contact Contact us for eligibility or grant process questions.