Funding Opportunities
National
Food Systems and Rural Development The food systems program goal is to help meet the needs for a safe and nutritious diet, while ensuring that food production systems are environmentally sensitive, economically viable, sustainable over the long term, and socially responsible. The food systems change strategies to attain this goal are:
Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program SARE is a competitive grants program providing grants to researchers, agricultural educators, farmers and ranchers, and students in the United States.Calls for Proposals
North Central Region SARE
Northeast Region SARE
Southern Region SARE
Western Region SARE
SARE is a program of USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)
2008 Love Your Veggies™ Nationwide School Lunch Campaign 2008-09 Love Your Veggies™ Grants Available
Elementary schools can apply for a chance to receive one of ten $15,000 grants from the makers of Hidden Valley® Salad Dressings. Each grant award will support an elementary school in developing a program offering fresh vegetables and fruits lasting through the 2009-10 school year. Each school grant will consist of $15,000 in direct funding and a one-time donation of Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Light Dressing.
Funding must be spent on any of the following:
· Fresh produce (vegetables and fruits)
· A vegetable station (such as a dedicated salad bar)
· Kitchen equipment (primary usage must relate to proposed program)
· Program staffing (cafeteria personnel, lunchroom staff, etc.)
· Nutrition education supplies
· Training (such as food safety and nutrition education)
All proposals must be submitted via the grant program's Web site, www.LoveYourVeggiesGrants.org. Proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST Nov. 7, 2008. Late proposals will not be accepted. Schools will be notified of their award status by March of 2009.
Donors Choose DonorsChoose allows public school teachers to post requests that will directly benefit students. The process and rules are pretty straightforward. Teachers complete a one page application on line. Be sure your proposal does not foster discrimination or proselytize a religious or political viewpoint. Concerned individuals, DonorsChoose calls them Citizen Philanthropists, select projects to fund. Details:www.DonorsChoose.org
2008 Healthy Sprouts Awards As a way to encourage the growth of health-focused youth gardens, the National Gardening Association recognizes outstanding programs via the Healthy Sprouts Awards, sponsored by Gardener's Supply Company. These awards support school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States. To be eligible for the 2008 Healthy Sprouts Awards, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2009 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18.
2009 Youth Garden Grants Program National Gardening Association awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. In evaluating grant applications, priority will be given to programs that emphasize one or more of these elements: educational focus or curricular/program integration, nutrition or plant-to-food connections, environmental awareness/education
entrepreneurship, social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning.
2009 Mantis Awards for Community and Youth Gardens Each year, Mantis presents the Mantis Awards for charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. NGA selects 25 outstanding applicants to receive Mantis tiller/cultivators. Any nonprofit garden program may apply.
Alabama
Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation Grants Twice each year the Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation makes grants available for classroom projects that integrate agriculture into curriculum areas during the school year. Judges will be the members of the Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom Steering Committee. Aplications for grants may be submitted by:
• Alabama teachers in either elementary or secondary levels of public, private, or parochial schools;
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System Agents who work with K-12 th grade students and/or teachers on a regular basis; or
• Alabama Soil and Water Association District Coordinators who work with K-12 th grade students and/or teachers on a regular basis.
Grants are made for amounts from $25 to $500 on the basis of an application.
Funds may be used for supplies and/or equipment to develop and teach the planned project.
For information contact:
Amy Belcher, Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom
P.O. box 3336, Montgomery, Alabama. 36109-0336
Phone: 334-240-7126 Fax: 334-240-7169
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom offers mini-grants of up to $1,500 to Massachusetts educators to support their agricultural education efforts. The next round of applications are due April 1, with later rounds due September 1 and November 1. To receive a copy of the mini- grant guidelines, send a letter to Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, P.O. Box 345, Seekonk MA 02771.
Michigan
W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Programming in the Greater Battle Creek, MI area
Fair Food Foundation The Fair Food Foundation is dedicated to creating a relationship-centered food system that provides access to fresh, local and sustainably-grown food for all. The Fair Food Foundation is not accepting letters of inquiry or proposals in 2007. Information regarding grantmaking will become available on this site in 2008. If you would like to be contacted when that information is available, please enter your email address on their website.
Rhode Island
Initiative for a Healthy Weight, Funding Opportunities