Working Here Fund Grant

The Working Here Fund Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming, providing funding options tailored to rural community needs. With a focus on agricultural education, hunger relief, and disaster assistance, the program has awarded over $13.5 million since 2013. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000, with eligibility for organizations demonstrating alignment with FCSAmerica's mission. Priority is given to IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofits, fostering sustainable solutions for local challenges.

Our grant program has been supporting nonprofit organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming since 2013. Eleven years and more than $13.5 million later, the Working Here Fund grant program now offers greater financial support, sized to meet the needs of both small and large projects.
We offer three funding options through our Working Here Fund program — each with unique requirements to support our rural communities. Our focus areas include ag education, hunger and nutrition and rural disaster relief / essential services.
Ag Education - Programs that support ag education for students, adults and families to expand their knowledge about agriculture through curriculum, programs, educational events, and other projects.Hunger and Nutrition - Initiatives focused on food insecurity that serve an immediate need, provide food rescue or help to break the hunger cycle.Rural Disaster Relief / Essential Services - Support in the event of natural disasters, assistance for first responders, or initiatives that impact life-and-death-situations.
Food bank and pantry needs
Ag classroom curriculum and technologyUp to $15,000 -Start-up FFA Chapters
Funding
We award grants of up to $5,000 each quarter. Twice a year, we award grants of up to $15,000 and up to $25,000. All grants align with our mission to serve agriculture and rural communities.
Typically, an organization is eligible to receive no more than one Working Here Fund grant within a 12-month period and no more than $25,000 since 2020.

Eligibility

Applicants must demonstrate how contributions will be used for purposes that serve agriculture education, hunger and nutrition, or rural disaster relief / essential services.
Qualifying programs must benefit communities within the Farm Credit Services of America service area of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota or Wyoming.
Grant requests must be consistent with the values and mission of FCSAmerica.

Ineligibility

Grant Restrictions:Programs and projects of charities that do not support agriculture, agricultural education, hunger and nutrition, or rural disaster relief / essential services.
Contributions for political support purposes, scholarships, or memberships in professional societies or trade organizations.
Individual or personal endeavors or projects, or individual farm operations.
Participation or entrance fees for charitable events or financing of charitable organizations.
Religious or sectarian programs or groups that benefit the specific organization.
Political campaigns, candidates, lobbying groups, or causes.Sports teams or athletic events and competition, including equipment or uniforms related to sports.
School activities or school booster club donations, including bands, choirs or fine arts programs.
Private foundations promoting personal hobbies.
Organizations or programs that are inconsistent with or do not align with non-discrimination, ethics, or other FCSAmerica policies, values or mission.
Organizations that in any way pose a conflict with FCSAmerica goals, programs, services, or employees.
Contributions for state annual meetings and regularly scheduled conferences.Grants will not be awarded to the same or part of the same organization more than one time in a 12-month period or a maximum of $25,000 since 2020.