Community Grants

The next Community Grants cycle will be mid-summer 2025. 

Our Community Grants funding program has been giving back to our community for more than two decades. Each year, the Ashland Food Co-op's Board of Directors sets aside a percentage of sales from the previous year, into a Cashflow Driven Investment (CDI) with the help of our friends at Twin Pines which allows this fund to benefit even more community-driven projects.


These funds support local projects that align with the Ashland Food Co-op's stated vision of enhancing health and enriching the community while promoting our mission to provide education about food, environment, nutrition, health and culture. These local organizations are the heartbeat of our community, and we are proud to contribute these grants to assist in funding projects that are either already in the works or ready to get funded. In 2024, we proudly donated over $26,000 to 17 area nonprofit organizations doing excellent work within our community.

Group of people in front of black backdrop at AFC Gives Awards

2024 Community Grant Recipients

 

What is required of Community Grants applicants?

  • Applicants must be a 501c3 organization (EIN number is required), or have a 501c3 as your fiscal sponsor.
  • Applicants must have an Ashland Food Co-op owner affiliated with the organization whether it be the individual applying, a member of your board, staff, or a key donor.
  • The application will prompt organizations to detail their project strategy, sequence of activities, and timeline along with how their project will address equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Non-profit organizations are encouraged to request program funding for projects that are in the scope of our five grant categories:

Food and/or Supportive Services for People in Need
Grants in this category fund projects that strengthen our community by helping those with the greatest unmet needs.

Educational Programs Focused on Food, Nutrition and Health
Grants in this category fund projects that teach us about the benefits of healthy food and nutrition.

Environmental Stewardship
Grants in this category fund projects that improve or restore our natural environment.

Education on the Environment or Environmental Sustainability
Grants in this category fund projects that teach us about our natural world and how we can sustain it and human activities for generations to come.

Arts and Culture
Grants in this category fund arts and cultural programs that benefit the local community.

 

Once a grant application is submitted, it undergoes a careful review process by the AFC Gives Committee, which is composed of a mix of Co-op Owner Members, Employees, and Board Members. Every application is independently reviewed by committee members over the course of a three week period and scored using an extensive rubric . Also during this time, small working groups of 2-3 committee members meet to more closely review and research each application. After the review period, the full committee reconvenes to hear presentations from each working group and to compare rubric scores. Thorough discussion takes place to determine fund allocation and proposal prioritization, and final decisions are decided by an official vote. The AFC Gives Committee is always mindful of avoiding conflicts of interest, and when necessary, committee members will abstain from a vote depending on their community involvement with an organization. If you have any further questions about the AFC Gives Community Grant Review process, you may email [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Can I apply if we received a Community Grant last year?
    Absolutely.
  • Can I apply if we were a Change for Good Partner?
    Organizations that are selected to be a Change for Good partner are unable to apply to be considered for an additional Community Grant. Organizations that were not chosen in the election to be a Change for Good partner in the upcoming year are eligible to apply for Community Grant funding.
  • How do I apply if I don't have access to the web forms?
    Please contact our Marketing Department at 541-552-5479 and they will assist you.
  • Can we apply if we are not a 501c3?
    Organizations that apply need to be a 501c3 or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501c3.
  • What is the typical amount awarded for a Community Grant?
    Community grants are awarded for any amount up to $2,000 either as a check or Ashland Food Co-op gift card. If the grant request is for food, the grant will likely be awarded as gift cards.
  • When and how will the funds be disbursed?
    Within 2-3 weeks of the Community Grants announcement, checks and gift cards will be sent out by mail.

If you have further questions please feel welcome to email [email protected]

 

Organizations' projects funded by 2024 Community Grants:

  • Anima Mundi Productions
  • Ashland Community Food Bank
  • Ashland Food Angels
  • Ashland Independent Film Festival
  • Armadillo Technical Institute
  • Cave Junction Farmers' Market
  • Golden Rule ReEntry
  • Helman Elementary School PTA
  • Jackson County Library Foundation
  • La Clinica
  • Maslow Project
  • Oregon Arts on a Mission
  • Phoenix Counseling Center, Inc.
  • Rogue Regenerative
  • St. Vincent de Paul
  • TRAILS Outdoor School PTC
  • Vesper Meadow/The Understory Initiative

AFC Gives 2024 Community Grants informational meeting.