Please see below for upcoming grant opportunities for small and rural libraries collected by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.

 

Karren Reish

Library Grants Coordinator

Library of Michigan

517-241-0021 / www.mi.gov/lsta

 

 

ARSL Grant Opportunities Digest

 

Disclaimer: These grants have been reviewed by ARSL for applicability for rural and small libraries. Information is provided by 3rd party organizations and subject to change without notice. Always review the grantor’s website to ensure full understanding of grant requirements, obligations, and deadlines before applying. 

 

 

 

Available Grants - National

 

Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize for Public Libraries

 

Important Dates:

September 15

Geographic Scope:

All U.S. Public Libraries

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

The Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize, developed in partnership between Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, was created in 2019 to recognize the public library as a vital community asset. When libraries, civic entities, organizations, and the people they serve become close partners, their communities thrive.

 

One winning library will receive $250,000 in unfettered grant monies and will also be profiled in the March 2026 issue of Library Journal and online. Honorable mentions may also be named.

 

The winning library will be identified based on the degree of its impact on the community in the following key areas:

·                  Engagement with local government to support the service area's defined goals

  • Engagement with the community to develop library services
  • Community recognition
  • Inclusive service that supports broad community interests
  • Leadership development to perpetuate the library's organizational strength and dynamism
  • Environmental sustainability and leadership in sustainable thinking
  • Inventiveness as exemplified by one of the library's services which is particularly original, both strategically and tactically
  • Resilience in the face of challenges

Application Requirements:

·                  Nominator (nominations submitted by civic officials or other significant individuals external to the library are welcome)

·                  Library data: population in service area, physical area served, per capita expenditure, number of patrons served, number of FTE, hours of volunteer service contributed to the library each year, types of existing funding sources with their relative percentages within total funding, and days and hours open per week.

·                  Multiple author submissions are permitted. Please indicate whether AI was used significantly in the development of the application.

·                  Detailed answers to criteria-focused questions.

·                  Three letters of support from community partners and/or civic leaders, with at least one from an elected official.

·                  Optional: Supporting materials such as photographs/images of the library and surrounding community; press coverage, brief videos (not exceed three minutes), etc. These materials are NOT REQUIRED and may or may not be reviewed in the evaluation process.

Reporting Requirements:

None listed

 

 

 

 

 

I Partner With My Public Library Award

 

Important Dates:  
Nominations will be accepted through the end of August, and winners will be notified by October 15, with a public awards ceremony occurring in November, 2025. Awardees will be publicly celebrated on the Let’s Move in Libraries webpage in perpetuity.

 

Geographic Scope:  
Any public library partner, anywhere in the world, is eligible.
 
Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:
Every Summer, the I Partner With My Public Library Award invites you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional partners. Each year, 10 are honored at an online ceremony held in their honor.


Application Requirements:
Brief application including community need being addressed, community impact and relationships with partner organizations.


Reporting Requirements:
None Listed

 

 

 

 

 

The Pilcrow Foundation’s Children’s Book Project Program Grants

 

Important Dates:

Annual application deadlines for grant cycles are April 1 and October 1 (postmark date).
Grants will be awarded and grant recipients will be posted by April 15 and October 15.

 

Geographic Scope: 

Libraries must be located in a rural area within the 50 United States, have a limited operating budget, have an active children’s department, and raise $200-$400 through a local sponsor. Libraries with total operating budgets of less than $50,000 will receive funding priority; however, town libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 may also apply for grants.

 

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through a local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1,200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books.


The Pilcrow Foundation provides a list of over 500 quality hardcover children’s books from which Children’s Book Project grant recipients can select books best suited for their community. The book list includes award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations.

 

Application Requirements:

A brief application can be completed online or via mail. Application requests library details, children’s programming and circulation, budget details, and matching funds information. 

Reporting Requirements:

All grant recipients are required to submit a one-page narrative report within 6 weeks of receiving the new books.

 

 

 

 

 

T-Mobile Hometown Grants

 

Important Dates:

Applications will be open quarterly with the following schedule: Spring Applications open January–March; Summer Applications open April–June; Fall Applications open July–September 30; and Winter Applications open October–December.

 

Geographic Scope: 

Small U.S. Towns. The project must be located in towns with less than 50,000 people and should provide a community benefit where it might otherwise be difficult to secure funding.

 

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

T-Mobile is committing up to $25 million through 2026 to support small towns, villages, and territories across America by funding community projects to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. 

 

The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program funds projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town. Projects should be shovel-ready, physical builds or improvements that can be completed within 12 months of receiving Hometown Grants funding.


Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to adaptive uses of older and historic buildings into community gathering spaces, improvements to outdoor parks or trails, and technology projects for the public library.


Funds may not be used for engineering and architectural plans or fees, salaries or annual operating expenses, or reimbursement for projects that have already been completed.

 

Application Requirements:

3-5 page proposal must include plans, budget, timeline, anticipated impact, and up to five letters of support.

Reporting Requirements:

Selected winners will provide status updates on their projects at 6 and 12 months. Plans must be able to be executed within 12 months of receiving funds.

 

 

 

 

 

American Heart Association Social Impact Funds

 

Important Dates:
Open year-round

Geographic Scope:
Support is available throughout the U.S., including Puerto Rico, with some opportunities focusing on the following target locations:

·                  Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose, CA

  • The west coast of Florida and southwest Florida
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Communities throughout Hawaii
  • Chicago, IL
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Boston, MA
  • Detroit and Flint, MI
  • The Twin Cities, MN
  • New York City
  • Philadelphia and Reading, PA
  • Houston, TX
  • Communities throughout Utah
  • Seattle, WA
  • Communities throughout West Virginia
  • Washington, DC.

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

The Social Impact Funds comprise an impact-focused venture program that supports organizations tackling social drivers of health so that more people have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. We fill a critical gap in the financial ecosystem for traditionally overlooked and underfunded nonprofit organizations. Through purposeful funding, we catalyze solutions that overcome barriers to health care, food security, and economic empowerment.

·                  Health Care Access & Quality - Overcoming barriers to high-quality, affordable, accessible health care that is age, gender and culturally appropriate.

  • Food Security - Increasing access to healthy, affordable food via mobile markets, food hubs, food as medicine and more.
  • Economic Empowerment - Promoting economic health through skill upleveling, financial literacy, violence prevention, housing support and more.

Selections are based on the strength of four factors:

·                  Demonstrated ability to drive change in under-resourced communities.

  • Strength and quality of team, program design and operational plan.
  • A meaningful and trusted connection to the target community.
  • Potential to scale and achieve sustainability for maximum health impact.

Application Requirements:

A few short paragraphs about the health challenge, how you are addressing it, the expected impact/outcomes and the program/project budget. There are no required documents, but there is a space to upload supporting materials.  

 

Reporting Requirements:

Each funded organization is paired with a Social Impact Funds principal. Quarterly check-ins are used to review progress to goals and provide feedback and advice.

 

Organizations are connected with the Association’s vast data resources and network of experts as additional supports in navigating challenges and accelerating impact.

 

 

 

 

 

Available Grants - Regional

 

Land O’Lakes Community Vitality Grants

 

Important Dates:
Open September 1-September 30. Award letters and checks sent in November/December.

Geographic Scope:
Be a 501(c)(3) public charity, school, or unit of government located in the following areas:

·                  East Region: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

  • West Region: 6 California counties—Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Glenn, Butte, and Riverside

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

Organizations may apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 (average grant awarded is typically between $5,000 to $10,000). Organizations supporting rural communities are prioritized.

 

This grant is intended to support the vibrancy of rural communities. Applicants from organizations headquartered in rural towns with less than 50,000 residents are welcome to apply. Applicants located in a town or small city with 50,000-200,000 residents that are 1) not a suburb that’s part of a larger urban area and 2) are located in a primarily rural county are also eligible to apply.

 

Program examples:

·                  Hunger Relief—Organizations committed to fighting food insecurity and increasing food accessibility

o        Food shelves/pantries

    • Community gardens and local food systems
  • Community Vitality- Organizations committed to strengthening community resources and opportunities, especially in rural areas

o        4-H, FFA, and ag education programs

    • Schools and educational institutions
    • Economic development programs

Application Requirements:

·                  Priority is given to organizations primarily focused on rural communities, per OMB definitions (see application for definition)

  • Referral from a Land O’Lakes member-owner enhances application (not required).
  • Current 501c3 Public Charity tax exempt nonprofit status through the Internal Revenue Service required.

Reporting Requirements:
None listed

 

 

 

 

 

SpartanNash Foundations’ Local Hunger, Heroes, and Hope Grant

 

Important Dates:
Friday, Sept. 12, 2025
Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Geographic Scope:
Organizations within a 30-mile radius of company facilities in FL, GA, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, NE, NC, ND, OH, OK, SD, TX, VA, WI

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

Grants of typically $5,000 - $30,000 for these program focus areas:

·                  Hunger: Programs that reduce food waste, fight food insecurity, and expand health and nutrition access and education

  • Heroes: Programs that support U.S. military servicemembers, Veterans and their families; community leaders including teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, healthcare workers and blood donors; SpartanNash frontline heroes and Associate volunteers; and disaster relief efforts
  • Hope: Programs that support career training and pathways, a more sustainable environment, and engagement and belonging

Application Requirements:

Friends of and Library Foundations with 501c3 status may apply. Application requires a cover letter, proposal narrative, staff and board details, budget, financials and IRS documents. 

 

Reporting Requirements:
None listed

 

 

 

 

 

Quick Read

 

The 3 Pillars of a New, Emerging Rural Funding Landscape (August 4, 2025)

 

For too long, the overriding question has been why national philanthropy was leaving rural communities out. Recently, particularly in the past five years, rural champions in national philanthropy, enterprising, place-based foundations and innovative intermediaries have begun to create the multilevel collaborative infrastructure required to end the rural philanthropy gap.

 

 

 

 

Fundraising Resources

 

EBSCO Grants & Funding Sources

 

Refreshed website listing grant writing resources and grants for libraries, schools, literacy programs, and grants provided by EBSCO. 

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Grant Writing Tips for Rural Leaders (First Article Free)

 

Writing a successful grant application is about more than filling out forms; it’s about telling your community’s story in a way that resonates with funders. Whether you're new to grant writing or just looking to strengthen your next proposal, these tips can help you put your best foot forward.

 

Note: The first article you read on the Center for Rural Affairs website is free; additional articles may be behind a paywall.

 

 

 

 

Resource Rural Storytelling

 

Resource Rural’s National Hub is working with partners across the country to enable rural and Indigenous communities to access federal dollars. Their work focuses on documenting and sharing stories by working directly with local organizations to identify stories and talk with local people to hear in their own voice why they’ve taken on this work and what they’ve achieved in their community. By documenting and sharing these stories, Resource Rural will ensure communities and local people see that their contributions are recognized and valued, and that more people learn about the inspiring ways in which rural and Indigenous people are using federal investments to make the places they live in and love stronger.

 

 

 

 

Candid Gold Transparency Seal

 

Friends of and Foundations can earn a 2025 Gold Seal of Transparency and gain access to one free year of Foundation Directory Professional ($1,599 annual value). The tools available on Foundation Directory allow you to tap funding opportunities beyond open Requests for Proposals (RFPS) that make up less than 1% of total foundation funding. Digging deeper is critical to your fundraising success.

To qualify for the Go for Gold promotion you must be authorized to provide information about a 501(c) (3) nonprofit whose annual revenue or expenses is less than one million dollars and earn, at minimum, a Gold Transparency Seal between February 3 and December 31, 2025.

Earning a Seal is quick and easy! Simply upload your nonprofit’s leadership demographics and either an audited financial statement or Form 990 / Form 990-EZ / Form 990-PF / Form 990-N

 

 

 

Image

 

Contact Info:

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries

PO BOX 33731, Seattle, WA, 98133

(206) 453-3579 

info@arsl.org

 

 

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Join the MiYouth Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services.

 

 

Nourishing Michigan’s Future during the summer! 

Find a Summer Food Service Program site nearest you and encourage Michigan’s children to Meet Up and Eat Up! Michigan.gov/MeetUpEatUp.

Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated

Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote.

 

 

From: Reish, Karren (MDE) <ReishK@michigan.gov>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 3:59 PM
To: Lancaster, Cathy (MDE) <LancasterC5@michigan.gov>
Subject: RE: ARSL Grant Opportunities Digest - August

 

Ha ha.

 

Karren Reish

Library Grants Coordinator

Library of Michigan

517-241-0021 / www.mi.gov/lsta

 

From: Lancaster, Cathy (MDE) <LancasterC5@michigan.gov>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 3:58 PM
To: Reish, Karren (MDE) <ReishK@michigan.gov>
Subject: Re: ARSL Grant Opportunities Digest - August

 

I give up - they must have something set-up to prohibit forwarding.

 

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Join the MiYouth Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services.

 

 

Nourishing Michigan’s Future during the summer! 

Find a Summer Food Service Program site nearest you and encourage Michigan’s children to Meet Up and Eat Up! Michigan.gov/MeetUpEatUp.

Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated

Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote.

 

 

From: Reish, Karren (MDE) <ReishK@michigan.gov>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 3:56 PM
To: Lancaster, Cathy (MDE) <LancasterC5@michigan.gov>
Subject: RE: ARSL Grant Opportunities Digest - August

 

I only see one huge image and no message.

 

Karren Reish

Library Grants Coordinator

Library of Michigan

517-241-0021 / www.mi.gov/lsta

 

From: Lancaster, Cathy (MDE) <LancasterC5@michigan.gov>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 3:48 PM
To: Reish, Karren (MDE) <ReishK@michigan.gov>
Subject: Fw: ARSL Grant Opportunities Digest - August

 

 

I don't know if you want to pass this along considering the hyperlinks seem to get removed - they appear active now as I prepare this message!

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Join the MiYouth Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services.

 

 

Nourishing Michigan’s Future during the summer! 

Find a Summer Food Service Program site nearest you and encourage Michigan’s children to Meet Up and Eat Up! Michigan.gov/MeetUpEatUp.

Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated

Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote.

 

 

 

 

From: info@arsl.org <arsl@memberclicks-mail.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:30 AM
To: Lancaster, Cathy (MDE) <LancasterC5@michigan.gov>
Subject: ARSL Grant Opportunities Digest - August

 

CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov

 

ARSL Home   |    About   |    Join   |   Support   |   ARSL Store

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ARSL Grant Opportunities Digest

 

Disclaimer: These grants have been reviewed by ARSL for applicability for rural and small libraries. Information is provided by 3rd party organizations and subject to change without notice. Always review the grantor’s website to ensure full understanding of grant requirements, obligations, and deadlines before applying. 

 

 

 

Available Grants - National

 

Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize for Public Libraries

 

Important Dates:

September 15

Geographic Scope:

All U.S. Public Libraries

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

The Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize, developed in partnership between Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, was created in 2019 to recognize the public library as a vital community asset. When libraries, civic entities, organizations, and the people they serve become close partners, their communities thrive.

 

One winning library will receive $250,000 in unfettered grant monies and will also be profiled in the March 2026 issue of Library Journal and online. Honorable mentions may also be named.

 

The winning library will be identified based on the degree of its impact on the community in the following key areas:

  • Engagement with local government to support the service area's defined goals
  • Engagement with the community to develop library services
  • Community recognition
  • Inclusive service that supports broad community interests
  • Leadership development to perpetuate the library's organizational strength and dynamism
  • Environmental sustainability and leadership in sustainable thinking
  • Inventiveness as exemplified by one of the library's services which is particularly original, both strategically and tactically
  • Resilience in the face of challenges

Application Requirements:

  • Nominator (nominations submitted by civic officials or other significant individuals external to the library are welcome)
  • Library data: population in service area, physical area served, per capita expenditure, number of patrons served, number of FTE, hours of volunteer service contributed to the library each year, types of existing funding sources with their relative percentages within total funding, and days and hours open per week.
  • Multiple author submissions are permitted. Please indicate whether AI was used significantly in the development of the application.
  • Detailed answers to criteria-focused questions.
  • Three letters of support from community partners and/or civic leaders, with at least one from an elected official.
  • Optional: Supporting materials such as photographs/images of the library and surrounding community; press coverage, brief videos (not exceed three minutes), etc. These materials are NOT REQUIRED and may or may not be reviewed in the evaluation process.

Reporting Requirements:

None listed

 

 

 

 

 

I Partner With My Public Library Award

 

Important Dates:  
Nominations will be accepted through the end of August, and winners will be notified by October 15, with a public awards ceremony occurring in November, 2025. Awardees will be publicly celebrated on the Let’s Move in Libraries webpage in perpetuity.

 

Geographic Scope:  
Any public library partner, anywhere in the world, is eligible.
 
Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:
Every Summer, the I Partner With My Public Library Award invites you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional partners. Each year, 10 are honored at an online ceremony held in their honor.


Application Requirements:
Brief application including community need being addressed, community impact and relationships with partner organizations.


Reporting Requirements:
None Listed

 

 

 

 

 

The Pilcrow Foundation’s Children’s Book Project Program Grants

 

Important Dates:

Annual application deadlines for grant cycles are April 1 and October 1 (postmark date).
Grants will be awarded and grant recipients will be posted by April 15 and October 15.

 

Geographic Scope: 

Libraries must be located in a rural area within the 50 United States, have a limited operating budget, have an active children’s department, and raise $200-$400 through a local sponsor. Libraries with total operating budgets of less than $50,000 will receive funding priority; however, town libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 may also apply for grants.

 

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through a local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1,200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books.


The Pilcrow Foundation provides a list of over 500 quality hardcover children’s books from which Children’s Book Project grant recipients can select books best suited for their community. The book list includes award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations.

 

Application Requirements:

A brief application can be completed online or via mail. Application requests library details, children’s programming and circulation, budget details, and matching funds information. 

Reporting Requirements:

All grant recipients are required to submit a one-page narrative report within 6 weeks of receiving the new books.

 

 

 

 

 

T-Mobile Hometown Grants

 

Important Dates:

Applications will be open quarterly with the following schedule: Spring Applications open January–March; Summer Applications open April–June; Fall Applications open July–September 30; and Winter Applications open October–December.

 

Geographic Scope: 

Small U.S. Towns. The project must be located in towns with less than 50,000 people and should provide a community benefit where it might otherwise be difficult to secure funding.

 

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

T-Mobile is committing up to $25 million through 2026 to support small towns, villages, and territories across America by funding community projects to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. 

 

The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program funds projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town. Projects should be shovel-ready, physical builds or improvements that can be completed within 12 months of receiving Hometown Grants funding.


Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to adaptive uses of older and historic buildings into community gathering spaces, improvements to outdoor parks or trails, and technology projects for the public library.


Funds may not be used for engineering and architectural plans or fees, salaries or annual operating expenses, or reimbursement for projects that have already been completed.

 

Application Requirements:

3-5 page proposal must include plans, budget, timeline, anticipated impact, and up to five letters of support.

Reporting Requirements:

Selected winners will provide status updates on their projects at 6 and 12 months. Plans must be able to be executed within 12 months of receiving funds.

 

 

 

 

 

American Heart Association Social Impact Funds

 

Important Dates:
Open year-round

Geographic Scope:
Support is available throughout the U.S., including Puerto Rico, with some opportunities focusing on the following target locations:

  • Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose, CA
  • The west coast of Florida and southwest Florida
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Communities throughout Hawaii
  • Chicago, IL
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Boston, MA
  • Detroit and Flint, MI
  • The Twin Cities, MN
  • New York City
  • Philadelphia and Reading, PA
  • Houston, TX
  • Communities throughout Utah
  • Seattle, WA
  • Communities throughout West Virginia
  • Washington, DC.

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

The Social Impact Funds comprise an impact-focused venture program that supports organizations tackling social drivers of health so that more people have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. We fill a critical gap in the financial ecosystem for traditionally overlooked and underfunded nonprofit organizations. Through purposeful funding, we catalyze solutions that overcome barriers to health care, food security, and economic empowerment.

  • Health Care Access & Quality - Overcoming barriers to high-quality, affordable, accessible health care that is age, gender and culturally appropriate.
  • Food Security - Increasing access to healthy, affordable food via mobile markets, food hubs, food as medicine and more.
  • Economic Empowerment - Promoting economic health through skill upleveling, financial literacy, violence prevention, housing support and more.

Selections are based on the strength of four factors:

  • Demonstrated ability to drive change in under-resourced communities.
  • Strength and quality of team, program design and operational plan.
  • A meaningful and trusted connection to the target community.
  • Potential to scale and achieve sustainability for maximum health impact.

Application Requirements:

A few short paragraphs about the health challenge, how you are addressing it, the expected impact/outcomes and the program/project budget. There are no required documents, but there is a space to upload supporting materials.  

 

Reporting Requirements:

Each funded organization is paired with a Social Impact Funds principal. Quarterly check-ins are used to review progress to goals and provide feedback and advice.

 

Organizations are connected with the Association’s vast data resources and network of experts as additional supports in navigating challenges and accelerating impact.

 

 

 

 

 

Available Grants - Regional

 

Land O’Lakes Community Vitality Grants

 

Important Dates:
Open September 1-September 30. Award letters and checks sent in November/December.

Geographic Scope:
Be a 501(c)(3) public charity, school, or unit of government located in the following areas:

  • East Region: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
  • West Region: 6 California counties—Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Glenn, Butte, and Riverside

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

Organizations may apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 (average grant awarded is typically between $5,000 to $10,000). Organizations supporting rural communities are prioritized.

 

This grant is intended to support the vibrancy of rural communities. Applicants from organizations headquartered in rural towns with less than 50,000 residents are welcome to apply. Applicants located in a town or small city with 50,000-200,000 residents that are 1) not a suburb that’s part of a larger urban area and 2) are located in a primarily rural county are also eligible to apply.

 

Program examples:

  • Hunger Relief—Organizations committed to fighting food insecurity and increasing food accessibility
    • Food shelves/pantries
    • Community gardens and local food systems
  • Community Vitality- Organizations committed to strengthening community resources and opportunities, especially in rural areas
    • 4-H, FFA, and ag education programs
    • Schools and educational institutions
    • Economic development programs

Application Requirements:

  • Priority is given to organizations primarily focused on rural communities, per OMB definitions (see application for definition)
  • Referral from a Land O’Lakes member-owner enhances application (not required).
  • Current 501c3 Public Charity tax exempt nonprofit status through the Internal Revenue Service required.

Reporting Requirements:
None listed

 

 

 

 

 

SpartanNash Foundations’ Local Hunger, Heroes, and Hope Grant

 

Important Dates:
Friday, Sept. 12, 2025
Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Geographic Scope:
Organizations within a 30-mile radius of company facilities in FL, GA, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, NE, NC, ND, OH, OK, SD, TX, VA, WI

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

Grants of typically $5,000 - $30,000 for these program focus areas:

  • Hunger: Programs that reduce food waste, fight food insecurity, and expand health and nutrition access and education
  • Heroes: Programs that support U.S. military servicemembers, Veterans and their families; community leaders including teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, healthcare workers and blood donors; SpartanNash frontline heroes and Associate volunteers; and disaster relief efforts
  • Hope: Programs that support career training and pathways, a more sustainable environment, and engagement and belonging

Application Requirements:

Friends of and Library Foundations with 501c3 status may apply. Application requires a cover letter, proposal narrative, staff and board details, budget, financials and IRS documents. 

 

Reporting Requirements:
None listed

 

 

 

 

 

Quick Read

 

The 3 Pillars of a New, Emerging Rural Funding Landscape (August 4, 2025)

 

For too long, the overriding question has been why national philanthropy was leaving rural communities out. Recently, particularly in the past five years, rural champions in national philanthropy, enterprising, place-based foundations and innovative intermediaries have begun to create the multilevel collaborative infrastructure required to end the rural philanthropy gap.

 

 

 

 

Fundraising Resources

 

EBSCO Grants & Funding Sources

 

Refreshed website listing grant writing resources and grants for libraries, schools, literacy programs, and grants provided by EBSCO.

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Grant Writing Tips for Rural Leaders (First Article Free)

 

Writing a successful grant application is about more than filling out forms; it’s about telling your community’s story in a way that resonates with funders. Whether you're new to grant writing or just looking to strengthen your next proposal, these tips can help you put your best foot forward.

 

Note: The first article you read on the Center for Rural Affairs website is free; additional articles may be behind a paywall.

 

 

 

 

Resource Rural Storytelling

 

Resource Rural’s National Hub is working with partners across the country to enable rural and Indigenous communities to access federal dollars. Their work focuses on documenting and sharing stories by working directly with local organizations to identify stories and talk with local people to hear in their own voice why they’ve taken on this work and what they’ve achieved in their community. By documenting and sharing these stories, Resource Rural will ensure communities and local people see that their contributions are recognized and valued, and that more people learn about the inspiring ways in which rural and Indigenous people are using federal investments to make the places they live in and love stronger.

 

 

 

 

Candid Gold Transparency Seal

 

Friends of and Foundations can earn a 2025 Gold Seal of Transparency and gain access to one free year of Foundation Directory Professional ($1,599 annual value). The tools available on Foundation Directory allow you to tap funding opportunities beyond open Requests for Proposals (RFPS) that make up less than 1% of total foundation funding. Digging deeper is critical to your fundraising success.

To qualify for the Go for Gold promotion you must be authorized to provide information about a 501(c) (3) nonprofit whose annual revenue or expenses is less than one million dollars and earn, at minimum, a Gold Transparency Seal between February 3 and December 31, 2025.

Earning a Seal is quick and easy! Simply upload your nonprofit’s leadership demographics and either an audited financial statement or Form 990 / Form 990-EZ / Form 990-PF / Form 990-N

 

 

 

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Contact Info:

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries

PO BOX 33731, Seattle, WA, 98133

(206) 453-3579 

info@arsl.org

Connect with Us!

 

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries • PO Box 33731, Seattle, Washington 98133, United States • 206-453-3579

 

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