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.
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.
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