Grant Process & Guidelines

Funds will generally not be approved for:

  • Programs outside our four focus areas.
  • Programs of religious groups except where they provide needed services to the community at large and do not include or promote a particular religious instruction or belief.
  • Legislative or lobbying efforts.
  • Political campaigns.
  • Medical research or facilities.
  • Fundraising activities such as benefits, charitable dinners, annual fund drives or sporting events.
  • Sponsorship of organized sports teams or sporting activities.
  • Construction or maintenance of recreational facilities, such as ballparks, bleachers, playground equipment, trails, health club memberships and related transportation, etc.
  • Theatrical productions.
  • Books and magazines, articles or advertising in professional journals.
  • Fraternal societies and orders, or veteran organizations.
  • Arts-related facilities and activities, such as performing group equipment, concerts, art shows, theatrical productions, etc.
  • All or portions of public or private school teaching positions.
  • Deficits already incurred, loans or debt retirement.
  • Programs or activities that directly benefit specific individuals or private businesses.
  • Programs or activities that directly benefit AgStar employees or directors
  • The AgStar Fund will not fund grant requests from organizations that are discriminatory toward other organizations or individuals, or to organizations that engage in activities that are not compatible with the AgStar Fund mission.

Grant Review Process

Upon initial review of the applications, the applications that best meet our guidelines and criteria will be further reviewed. Proposals up to $2,500 will be reviewed for approval by AgStar Fund Staff, according to the grant program guidelines. Proposals in excess of $2,500 will be reviewed for approval by the Board of Trustees.

The AgStar Fund staff will review the proposals, request additional information if necessary and conduct site visits as needed.

To enable the AgStar Fund staff to complete the review process, applicants may be asked to provide copies of any or all of the following:

  • Comprehensive description of the grant request including activities and outcomes.
  • Detailed budget for the use of grant request funds.
  • Current financial statement for the requesting organization (preferably audited).
  • Current IRS Form 990.
  • IRS tax classification letter verifying 501(c)(3) status.
  • List of the organization’s board of directors.
  • Other items deemed necessary by the AgStar Fund staff to perform a comprehensive review.

Please note:

  • Grant requests may be partially funded.
  • Previous funding does not guarantee continuing support to any organization.
  • Some organizations meeting the AgStar Fund criteria may not receive support in a given year.
  • The AgStar Fund will not provide critiques of proposals submitted.
  • A post-grant evaluation will be requested.
  • When the review process is complete, and depending upon the size of the proposal, the AgStar Fund administrator will either make a decision or make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The AgStar Fund trustees make the final decision on all proposals for more than $2,500.
  • Proposals will be reviewed and grants awarded in March of the following year. Applicants will be notified of all decisions as soon as possible.
    The AgStar Fund for Rural America may fund only a portion of the many worthwhile grant requests received each year. A decision to decline a grant request does not imply that the applicant’s program is not needed or valued, but simply that it does not fall within our giving guidelines or priorities, or that funds are not available.

Self-Directed Programs
Through self-directed programs, the AgStar Fund establishes programs, or partners with others, to extend its reach into rural communities. Our combined efforts better enable us to promote participation and advance program causes. These programs are initiated within AgStar and will be announced throughout the year.

Apply Now

To find out more about the AgStar Fund for Rural America, contact Jody Bloemke, Fund Administrator. Email Jody.Bloemke@AgStar.com, call 507-345-5656, or write to P.O. Box 4249, Mankato, MN 56002.