Growing Impact Fund

Home Growing Impact Fund – Application Form

Before You Apply

The Growing Impact Fund supports neighborhood-scale farms and community food projects that create real community benefit, through education, regenerative growing, infrastructure improvements, and other mission-aligned work.

This application should take about 10–15 minutes. If selected, you’ll sign a short grant agreement and receive funding for the project you proposed. To keep the program accountable (and 501(c)(3) compliant), we ask all recipients to:

Use funds only for the approved project budget
Keep basic receipts/invoices
Share a few photos or short video clips so we can celebrate your work and report impact
Submit a short final summary with simple results (what you did + what changed)

Not sure if your project is a fit? Find out more here:

Quick Eligibility Check

I’ve read the Growing Impact Fund Grant Guidelines and can comply (allowable uses, documentation, storytelling, and timeline)

Applicant type

501(c)(3) nonprofit School / University / Government entity Community project with a fiscal sponsor (501c3) For-profit farm/business (restricted-use only; charitable community benefit required)

About You

Project / Organization name

Primary contact name + role

Email + phone

City / State

Website + social handles

Fiscal Sponsor (Only if applicable)

Fiscal sponsor organization name (501c3)

Sponsor contact name + email

Upload fiscal sponsor letter (file upload)

Grant Request

Which are you applying for?

Mini Grant ($2,500 - $5,000) Impact Grant ($10,000)

When would you start?

When would you expect to finish?

Your Project

One-sentence summary

Choose a category (pick one primary)

Other

What are you trying to accomplish and why does it matter locally? (150–300 words)

What will you do with the funds? (bullet-style is fine)

Impact + Success

How will you know this worked? (choose 2–4)

Increased food grown/produced Increased community participation/volunteer engagement More education/workshops delivered Improved soil health/composting outcomes New infrastructure installed (irrigation, beds, shade, etc.) Youth or workforce skills developed Increased access to local food (optional) Other (describe)

Add 2–3 simple targets (numbers or milestones)

Budget

Upload a simple budget

Top 5 budget items (copy/paste list)

Confirm grant restrictions

Funds will only be used for the approved project budget No personal expenses, owner draws, or debt repayment No alcohol/entertainment/gift cards No political activity/lobbying I understand NFUSA may request receipts and documentation

For-Profit Applicants

Describe the charitable community benefit your project provides

I understand this funding cannot support general business expansion or private profit; it must support the approved community-benefit project and be documented.

Storytelling + Documentation

If selected, can you provide the following within the project period?

Receipts/invoices for grant-funded purchases 6–10 photos and a few short video clips A short final summary + your success targets/results

How would you prefer to share the story?

We’ll post on our channels and tag NFUSA We’ll send photos/videos to NFUSA and NFUSA can post Both

Upload 3–6 photos of your site/project (optional but encouraged)

Final

Anything else you want us to know?

Who would sign the grant agreement if selected?