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SCA Grant to Support Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) Development Fund

Association for Specialty Coffee

Foundation Annual Agriculture GrantsCommunity Development Grants

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

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Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Other requirements

  • Coffee-growing countries worldwide

Overview

SCA Grant to Support CQI's Development Fund

Status: Active grant agreement announced April 2026

Funder: Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)

Recipient: Coffee Quality Institute (CQI)

Overview:
The Specialty Coffee Association provides ongoing financial support to the Coffee Quality Institute to fund its development work and advance its mission to improve the quality of coffee and the lives of the people who produce it.

Funding Structure:

  • SCA contributes a percentage of its annual education revenues to CQI

  • Provides ongoing, recurring funding (not one-time)

  • Funding supports CQI's project work in coffee-producing regions

    • Geographic Focus:
    Coffee-growing countries worldwide

    What It Funds:
    CQI's development work including:

  • Training programs in coffee-producing and processing

  • Projects in 30+ coffee-growing countries

  • Educational initiatives for coffee professionals

  • Development assistance in origin countries

    • Focus Areas:

  • Improving coffee quality

  • Enhancing lives of coffee producers

  • Inclusive, sustainable development

  • Producer-centered initiatives

    • Background:

  • CQI has trained people in coffee production and processing for over 20 years

  • Works with funding from public and private-sector donors

  • Partnership reflects shared commitment to center producers, recognize full value of coffee, and make coffee better across the value chain

  • This partnership is part of historic collaboration announced April 24, 2026, which also includes evolution of Q Grader Program content and transition of its management to SCA

    • Key Quotes:

  • SCA CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos: "The Specialty Coffee Association is honored to support the Coffee Quality Institute's Development Fund and its vital role in advancing inclusive, sustainable development across the coffee sector."

  • CQI CEO Michael Sheridan: "At a time when traditional sources of funding for development assistance are being eliminated, SCA is stepping into the vacuum and demonstrating real leadership."

    • Contact:
    Specialty Coffee Association
    505 Technology Drive Suite 340
    Irvine, California, 92618, USA
    Website: https://sca.coffee/

    What Association for Specialty Coffee actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990 filing, 2020 — the most recent filing with itemized grants

    Grants in 2020
    1
    Total given
    $8,871
    Median grant
    $8,871
    • By dollars: Vermont 100%. Top recipient cities: Williston, VT.

    Example grants

    • Grounds for Health · Williston, VT

      Funds for projects that contribute towards a sustainable coffee sector

      $8,871

    IRS Form 990 filing, 2020. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    agriculturecommunity-development

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