Natoora is on a mission to preserve the flavor in food by protecting the planet and its people. They do this through supply chains that source ingredients directly from growers and supporting young farmers with their Farm Fund.
The Farm Fund helps farmers 35 and under in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe overcome financial barriers to establishing sustainable farming practices. Applications for up to $12,500 are due by February 2, 2024.
Eligibility
This grant is open to farmers in the US, UK, and Europe who are:
Individuals aged 35 and under
A cooperative or partnership primarily made up of individuals aged 35 and under
Key Areas
Grantees must be committed to agroecological methods that preserve rather than deplete the environment. Projects must address at least one key focus area and be able to measure progress in achieving their goals.
Key areas:
Soil Health
Cultural Preservation
Innovation
Biodiversity
Education
Access to Land
Accessible Scale
Grantee farms are also expected to keep synthetic interventions as a last resort, if they use them at all.
Applications for up to $400,000 and a grant term of up to 3 years are due by December 6, 2023 at 11:30 AM PST.
Eligibility
This grant is open to organizations in Africa and South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Eligible organizations may include:
Nonprofit organizations
For-profit companies
International organizations
Government agencies
Academic institutions
Program Objectives
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Projects should aim to achieve at least one of the program objectives.
Support Women’s Economic Opportunity – Increase employment opportunities for women by expanding childcare access, reducing the burden of unpaid work disproportionally done by women, and creating new job opportunities for women in the childcare field.
Advancing Evidence – Collect evidence on effective, sustainable, and scalable models of childcare with a gender intentional focus.
Shift Gender Norms – Change gendered expectations to make it more acceptable for women to work outside the home, allowing them to control the money they earn, and making it more acceptable to use services to perform traditional ‘women’s work.’
Priority Consideration
Priority will be given to applications that also meet some of these additional criteria:
Are led by local people
Are led by women, women’s organizations and/or make women’s voices key to the project
Engage the community
Involve a multi-stakeholder partnership that includes the public, private, and/or government sectors
Shows knowledge and understanding of cultural norms and local needs
Generates and measures positive outcomes for women and children
Take innovate approaches to childcare provision
Provides employment opportunities for women
Uses a business model with the potential to generate revenue to sustain the program
Has the potential to be expanded after the grant period
Review Criteria
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Applications will be reviewed based on:
Their potential to create solutions that have a significant impact
Creativity of the proposed project and clear differentiation from existing programs
A clear conceptual framework
Capabilities of the investigator and organization and potential for collaboration
Appropriateness of budget and timeline to carry out the project and achieve the stated goals
The Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program through USDA Rural Development is funded by The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Its goal is to help rural communities manage the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing access to testing, vaccines, and general health services. It also supports food banks and food distribution.
Track Two: Impact Grants are for developing and promoting long term solutions to rural health care issues. Projects should support long term sustainability, defined as “improved health outcomes, improved access to quality health care, and creating and maintaining sustainable economic development for small communities.” Funds must be used to address problems in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact Grants will be awarded in amounts for $5 – 10 million and all application must be in to your State Rural Development office by October 12, 2021. Unlike Track One, no applications to Track Two will be accepted after that date.
Eligibility
Public bodies such as municipalities, counties, and other sub-State level government entities are eligible to apply; State level bodies are not eligible. Federally recognized Tribes located in rural areas are also eligible, as are non-profit organizations. Non-profits must be able to demonstrate that they are significantly involved in the rural community in which grant funds will be spent.
The facility or project must be located in an area that meets the legal definition of ‘rural’ for Community facility loans and grants. This definition is “any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants (Source).” Non-governmental applicants are not required to be headquartered in a rural area, but the funded project must primarily serve a rural area.
Track Two applicants must also establish a network of three or more organizations to administer this project. These groups can be healthcare providers, economic development organizations, federally-recognized Tribes, or colleges and universities. This network can include rural and non-rural organizations, but at least two-thirds of the members must be located in rural areas. One member organization will serve as the lead applicant and will be responsible for tracking progress and reporting.
Cost Share
Cost-sharing is required, but the percentage of the project cost you must pay depends on the community’s population and median household income. The percentages cited below are the minimum amount you would be expected to provide.
Population
Median Household Income
Cost share
5,000 or fewer
Below the poverty line or 60% of state nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
25%
12,000 or fewer
Below the poverty line or 70% of state nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
45%
20,000 or fewer
Below the poverty line or 80% of state nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
65%
20,000 or fewer
Below the poverty line or 90% of state nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
85%
If you serve multiple communities, you will need to calculate a weighted median household income. An example of how to do this can be found on page 10 of the Application Guide. When in doubt, check with your State Rural Development office. In kind contributions can not be used as part of your cost share.
Eligible Activities
Grant funds may be used for one or more of the following activities:
Establishing or building on an existing network of community leaders and healthcare professionals. The purpose of this network would be to create long term, sustainable solutions to rural healthcare problems.
Creating or building on an existing evidence-based model for rural healthcare and sharing the lessons learned from that model for possible replication.
Developing and implementing a solution to a health-related issue identified in your region. This includes an evaluation of the method for sustainability and replicability.
Paying for the technical assistance needed to implement, evaluate, or otherwise administer your project.
Making sub-awards to other members of your project network through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts.
Paying professional services such as an architect, engineer, lawyer, or environmental consultant.
Articles of organization, incorporation, or association
By-laws
Evidence of good standing – this is typically a certificate from your state Secretary of State’s office
Evidence of ties to the local rural community – You can demonstrate this by showing that you are (1) closely associated with or controlled by a unit of local government, (2) owned or controlled by members of the community by providing a list of board members, (3) receiving substantial public funding.
Evidence of eligibility (will primarily serve a rural area with a median household income below the poverty line or the percentage applicable to your cost-share)
Three years of the most recent audits or financial statements, including a current balance sheet and income and expense statement
Intergovernmental Review comments, if applicable, from the local planning district commission
Certification regarding any known relationship or association with a USDA employee
Certification from a CPA of how lost revenue was calculated, if you’re applying to be reimbursed
Construction projects will require an Environmental Report or Environmental Assessment and a preliminary architectural feasibility report or engineering documentation. Work with your Rural Development Office to determine the specific requirements for your project.
The Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program through USDA Rural Development is funded by The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Its goal is to help rural communities manage the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing access to testing, vaccines, and general health services. It also supports food banks and food distribution.
Track One: Recovery Grants funds are for immediate needs, preparing for future pandemics, or increasing access to health care. Awards will range from $25,000 – $1 million. Approximately $350 million is expected to be disbursed. Submit your application through your State Rural Development office. They will begin reviewing applications after October 12, 2021 and continue accepting new applications until all funds are spent.
Projects should expect to begin no earlier than November 1, 2021 and last no more than 3 years.
Eligibility
Public bodies such as municipalities, counties, and other sub-State level government entities are eligible to apply; State level bodies are not eligible. Federally recognized Tribes located in rural areas are also eligible, as are non-profit organizations. Non-profits must be able to demonstrate that they are significantly involved in the rural community in which grant funds will be spent.
The facility or project must be located in an area that meets the legal definition of ‘rural’ for Community facility loans and grants. This definition is “any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants (Source).” Non-governmental applicants are not required to be headquartered in a rural area, but the funded project must primarily serve a rural area.
Cost Share
Cost-sharing is required, but the percentage of the project cost you must pay depends on the community’s population and median household income. The percentages cited below are the minimum amount you would be expected to provide.
Population
Median Household Income
Cost share
5,000 or fewer
Below the poverty line or 60% of state nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
25%
12,000 or fewer
Below the poverty line or 70% of state nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
45%
20,000 or fewer
Below the poverty line or 80% of state nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
65%
20,000 or fewer
Below the poverty line or 90% of state nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
85%
If you serve multiple communities, you will need to calculate a weighted median household income. An example of how to do this can be found on page 10 of the Application Guide. When in doubt, check with your State Rural Development office. In kind contributions can not be used as part of your cost share.
Eligible Activities
Grant funds may be used for one or more of the following activities:
Increasing ability to distribute vaccines through purchase of equipment like refrigerators or vehicles.
Purchasing medical supplies to accommodate increased patient loads. This can include personal protective equipment.
Reimbursing revenue lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic going back to March 13, 2020. You must provide a certification from a certified public accountant to demonstrate how lost revenue was calculated.
Increasing capacity to serve patients via telehealth by purchasing equipment and software, and paying for staff training.
Construction or renovation of either temporary or permanent structures for testing and vaccine distribution.
Salaries for increased staff needed for testing and/or vaccine distribution. You must provide a certification from a CPA that these expenses have not been reimbursed by another source. May not exceed $100,00.
Supporting food banks and food distribution facilities. This includes operating expenses for the grant period and prior dating back to March 13, 2020.
Articles of organization, incorporation, or association
By-laws
Evidence of good standing – this is typically a certificate from your state Secretary of State’s office
Evidence of ties to the local rural community – You can demonstrate this by showing that you are (1) closely associated with or controlled by a unit of local government, (2) owned or controlled by members of the community by providing a list of board members, (3) receiving substantial public funding.
Evidence of eligibility (will primarily serve a rural area with a median household income below the poverty line or the percentage applicable to your cost-share)
Three years of the most recent audits or financial statements, including a current balance sheet and income and expense statement
Intergovernmental Review comments, if applicable, from the local planning district commission
Certification regarding any known relationship or association with a USDA employee
Certification from a CPA of how lost revenue was calculated, if you’re applying to be reimbursed
Construction projects will require an Environmental Report or Environmental Assessment and a preliminary architectural feasibility report or engineering documentation. Work with your Rural Development Office to determine the specific requirements for your project.
