Support For Ideas That Move Dairy - And Our Communities - Forward
Through the generosity of donations we receive from individuals and organizations, we’re able to financially support unique, dairy-focused projects and educational programs through grants.
Dairy’s Foundation was founded by producers and agribusinesses who believe education is the key to a strong and sustainable industry. They wanted to ensure that this strongly held value continues to shape our farms, families and communities for generations to come. We support educational programs for youth, producer professionalism and building public trust in what we do as dairy producers. Because we serve the entire dairy industry, we seek out the best education ideas through our competitive granting program.
Active non-profit organizations with an IRS status of 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(5) within the United States may apply for a grant of up to $10,000. We focus our support in three key areas:
- Raising the next generation of professional dairy producers
- Growing and maintaining public trust in our people and products
- Building the skills of our dairy producers
GRANT CYCLE
Spring applications (submitted January - May) are due June 1st. Applicants will be notified of a decision by August 1st.
Fall applications (submitted July - November) are due December 1st. Applicants will be notified of a decision by February 1st.
Application Process
Dairy’s Foundation awards grants to projects that will build producer professionalism and maintain public trust through programs that educate and engage both the dairy community and the public.
1. Ensure you meet all of the grant application criteria and eligibility:
- Grant seeker is an active non-profit organization with IRS status of 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(5) within the United States
- Proposal will help the dairy industry by building producer professionalism or maintaining public trust
- Request is not for: an individual or scholarships for individuals, political or social organizations, endowment, artistic or religious programs, loans/start-up expenses or seed capital funding for private businesses, building projects, or dairy promotion or nutrition programs that are directly the responsibility of the state or national check-off organizations.
- Proposal fulfills any or all of the following criteria: industry leadership, leverage, shareability, impact and commitment to partnership.
2. Complete the cover page for the grant application.
3. Complete the grant proposal, including who, what and how, when and budget.
4. Obtain a copy of your IRS Determination letter verifying your organization’s status as either 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(5).
5. Email the cover page, grant proposal and IRS determination letter with the subject line “Grant Application” to info@dairyfoundation.org.
Note: All funded programs will be subject to periodic progress updates and must complete an evaluation and impact statement following the completion of the project. Further details are provided upon notification of decision.
