The Forest Service has awarded funds to the Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP) to sub-award grants of $40,000-$60,000 to eight to ten Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST)-designated disadvantaged Alaska communities. For additional eligibility guidelines, please refer to the RFP.
The purpose of this funding is establishing and maintaining community orchards and food forests. RurAL CAP’s Growing Rural Opportunities for Wellness (GROW) Program requests proposals for the GROW-OFF (Orchards and Food Forests) Grant Program from eligible applicants to plant and maintain community orchards or food forests in their communities. GROW-OFF aims to enhance food security, foster community engagement, create economic opportunities, and promote community wellness and environmental sustainability.
Informational Webinar
RurAL CAP anticipates funding eight to ten projects of $40,000 to $60,000 each, to be spent over a period of five growing seasons starting in April 2024 and ending in October 2028.
Total amount to be awarded: $483,000
Match: No match required.
Proposals due: March 14, 2024
Awards announced: March 28, 2024
Start date is during spring 2024, dependent on completion of mandatory training (online) and Grant Agreement, with grant period ending on October 30, 2028.
For inquiries or to submit proposals, please contact the GROW Program at [email protected].
Eligibility
APPLICANTS
1) Applicants must conduct program activities in communities that are designated as “disadvantaged” or “distressed” according to at least ONE of the following:
- Note: All federally recognized Tribes, including Alaska Native villages, are designated as “disadvantaged” although they may not be within Census tracts that are designated as such. Please email [email protected] if you have questions regarding your community’s designation.
- Denali Commission 2020 Distressed Communities Report
- Title 1 Schools
2) Applicants must be a federally recognized Tribe, non-profit organization, school or public organization.
3) Non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.
LANDS
1) Eligible applicants may apply for funding for a project to be conducted on non-Federal lands such as:
- State and local government
- Homeowner associations
- Private lands
- Tribal/Alaska Native corporation (includes Trust lands)
2) Lands owned or administered by the federal government are not eligible for this funding opportunity except for lands held in trust for Native American Tribes and individuals (hereinafter Trust lands).
Resources
Please contact the GROW Program at [email protected]
For additional funding opportunities, check the below links: