2024 Rural Vitality Grants Now Available
The Fond du Lac Area Foundation (FDLAF) and Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation (BDACF) are pleased to announce a partnership with Compeer Financial to support the strength and stability of rural communities through a $50,000 grant cycle.
Applications for $500 – $25,000 are now being accepted for the Rural Vitality Grant. The Rural Vitality Grant focuses on helping communities of less than 10,000 people or rural micropolitans of less than 50,000 people to create and maintain an active, strong, and thriving economy. Fond du Lac and Dodge County nonprofits and schools are eligible to apply, with the City of Fond du Lac and City of Beaver Dam being ineligible due to population.
To be eligible for a Rural Vitality Grant, nonprofits must fit the following criteria:
- Grant applications may be directed toward capacity building, enhancements to current special projects, expanded programing, and building projects.
- Grant recipients should have a project that is planned and moving forward, not just proposed.
- The grant application has broad community support and leadership, including financial investments.
- Projects supported by these dollars will not be eligible for other gifts from Compeer Financial.
Approved areas for Rural Vitality Grant funding include:
- Agriculture – Programs, projects, and services that enhance the agricultural landscape and opportunities.
- Community Development – Contributing to the essential needs of the community, encompassing healthcare, daycare, and other areas impacting the quality of life for all community members.
- Entrepreneurship/Small Business Development – Helping creative, cutting-edge entrepreneurs and/or small business owners.
- Housing Expansion – Rural housing enhancements to single family, multifamily and work force housing.
- Youth and Adult Leadership Development – Inspire, train, and promote leadership for both youth and adults.
- Rural School Education – Enhancing programming, innovations, and experiences at preK-12 schools to ensure students have access to world-class education.
- Workforce Development – Attracting, retaining, training, and sustaining community members to vital careers and jobs in the community and agriculture.
Rural Vitality Grant information and the online grant application portal are available at https://fdlareafoundation.com/apply-for-a-grant/. Applications must be submitted through the Fond du Lac Area Foundation’s online grant portal by Friday, November 15, 2024.
The Rural Vitality Grant exemplifies Compeer Financials’ commitment to leading the way in pursuing a collaborative approach to rural vitality. Their vision centers around active, strong rural communities capable of supporting thriving economies, and the Fond du Lac Area Foundation and Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation are thankful to administer the process.
Questions regarding grants may be directed to info@fdlareafoundation.com or (920) 921.2215.