This collection of funding opportunities may suit those in Kansas’ food and farm system. We work to update this collection monthly as we build our Rural Roundup Newsletter, which showcases opportunities with upcoming deadlines.
About the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation(Deadline: Tuesday, December 31st, 2025)
The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that provide programs and resources to help strengthen diverse communities across the United States. Funding is focused on three areas: education, including nonprofits focused on education resources and opportunities supporting diverse communities across the country, as well as groups that focus on STEM, early childhood learning, and safety; engaging the community, including financial literacy, food insecurity, environmental conservation, animal welfare and advocacy, and health and wellness initiatives; and promoting equity, including building meaningful relationships with community organizations that support equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion.
Forest Protection Efforts Funded(Deadline: Monday, January 13th, 2025)
The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program supports the acquisition of private forest land that is threatened by conversion and that provides community benefits including economic, environmental, educational, and recreational benefits. The program seeks to protect forestland from conversion to non-forest uses. Public access is required for all projects. Eligible costs include appraisals and appraisal reviews, land surveys, legal and closing costs, development of a community forest plan, and title examination
Rural Cinema (Deadline: Thursday, January 23rd, 2025)
Now in its sixth year, Rural Cinema is a training institute and community engagement program aimed at supporting leaders from rural areas and small towns across the United States in using film screenings as a resource in their work for environmental justice and protection. In 2025, we will be selecting organizations in six locations that are directly affected by polluting industries or climate disasters, as well as areas transitioning from being economically fueled by extractive energy industries to adopting more sustainable approaches.
The People’s Garden (Deadline: Wednesday, January 29th, 2025)
Approximately $1 million in funding is available from the People’s Garden Initiative through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, in partnership with The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2025 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. The program will fund projects that support community-based gardens promoting sustainable agriculture practices that benefit people and wildlife. Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2025. Learn more and apply here: Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program 2025 Request for Proposals
Deadline: Bi-Monthly or Twice a Year
The program, KC Grow, provides funding to growers in Kansas City, MO for:
Municipal water line tap and hydrant installation
Rainwater and storm water catchment systems
Supply lines from existing water supplies
Farm design/ development to maximize rain water catchment and soil management practices that improve the water holding capacity of the soil.
KACD and local Conservation Districts promotes a variety of incentive programs for soil health improvement activities. One of our partnerships is with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) through the Climate Smart Commodities Initiatives. ADM partners with farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices, incentivizing a more sustainable future. ADM’s program provided financial rewards for regenerative practices as well as outcomes such as improved soil quality, giving producers the opportunity to sell crops with sustainable attributes at a premium.
Cliff Family Foundation Funds for Operational Support
Deadline: Bi-Monthly or Twice a Year
These grants support daily operating costs and specific projects.
About the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation
The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that provide programs and resources to help strengthen diverse communities across the United States. Funding is focused on three areas: education, including nonprofits focused on education resources and opportunities supporting diverse communities across the country, as well as groups that focus on STEM, early childhood learning, and safety; engaging the community, including financial literacy, food insecurity, environmental conservation, animal welfare and advocacy, and health and wellness initiatives; and promoting equity, including building meaningful relationships with community organizations that support equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion.
Deadline: Bi-Monthly or Twice a Year
The program, KC Grow, provides funding to growers in Kansas City, MO for:
Municipal water line tap and hydrant installation
Rainwater and storm water catchment systems
Supply lines from existing water supplies
Farm design/ development to maximize rain water catchment and soil management practices that improve the water holding capacity of the soil.
Community Change Grants Program
PA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the IRA for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.
T-mobile is investing $25M in 500 rural towns over 5 years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. Together, we can help upgrade tech at your local library, build new hiking trails, revitalize historic buildings, and so much more.
Small Meat Processing Assistance
The Flower Hill Institute is offering their services to help coordinate technical assistance for meat and poultry processing expansion. Once you have filled out form, you will be added to the database to receive all information on any new grant or loan opportunities. Someone will also connect with you to provide resources and guide you through your stage of the process.
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) provides loans to rural utilities and other companies who provide energy efficiency loans to qualified consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
Single Family Housing Rural Disaster Home Repair Grants
This grant provides grants to very-low and low-income homeowners to repair homes damaged in a Calendar Year (CY) 2022 Presidentially Declared Disaster Area. To determine your eligibility, review the list of Presidentially Declared Disasters by State and County. This list is subject to change.