Scholarships/Grants
Institute offers College Scholarships
The Institute for Rural America offers the Charles Skorupa Memorial Farm Scholarship. We have two scholarships, one for high school seniors, and another for a college, community college, vocational or technical school student pursuing an ag-related career.
For high school students, we make one award to a high school senior who plans to attend an accredited post-secondary school in an ag-related field. The amount of the scholarship is $2,000. Recipients will be selected on the following criteria:
Academic performance, career goals and involvement in agriculture, as well as ag- related clubs and organizations are considered.
Applicant must be a student enrolled as a Senior in good academic standing in an accredited high school program.
For College students, we make one award to a college, community college, vocational or technical school student pursuing an ag-related career. Academic performance, career goals and involvement in agriculture, as well as ag- related clubs and organizations are considered.
Applicant must be a student enrolled in good academic standing in an accredited college, community college, vocational or technical school.
Please select your preferred scholarship, and download our application!
Institute Offers Seize the Moment Grants
Purpose:
The Institute for Rural America is pleased to offer small grants to assist rural nonprofit organizations. These small grants are designed for groups needing to take quick action on rural issues that arise. The issues may call for immediate organizing or action that cannot be predicted and is not budgeted. In some cases, it is crucial to act immediately to address the issue and take advantage of an organizing or teaching opportunity. This could include support for hosting a meeting, networking with other groups, or sending staff to local, regional, or national training events in their field. Rural grants are available to assist with conference registration fees and are limited to one per organization.
Focus Preference: The Institute selection process will focus on those applications which include a preference for supporting rural Americans through initiatives where people can solve their own problems by achieving consensus among individuals and groups; by creating cooperative initiatives and networking to create new alliances, and new ventures.
Amount: The maximum grant is $250. Funds are limited and when they are expended for a year, the grants will cease until the following fiscal year.
To apply: Application may be sent any time by letter, no more than two pages, and can be faxed or emailed. The application should include:
* Name, address, telephone & fax numbers, and email address of the applicant.
* Name and Federal Identification number of organization, regarding 501©3 status.
* Amount requested.
* Description of the grant request, including how the continuing education opportunity will assist the organization in its efforts to serve the community through networking, new alliances, and new initiatives.
* The need or threat, and the organization’s plan for response and action.
* How the project is unanticipated and urgent, and why quick action is needed.
* Your signature.
Send postal mail the application to:
Institute for Rural America
PO Box 566
Ames, Iowa 50010
Attn. Dave Reed
Send email applications to: seizetheinstitutemoment@gmail.com
For questions or to discuss an application, contact Greg Stephens, Coordinator at 785-819-6887 or email seizetheinstitutemoment@gmail.com
The Institute for Rural America is a nonprofit charitable 501c3 organization.
Donations are tax deductible. Click here for printable donation form
or, click here to make an online donating using the Network for Good.
Institute for Rural America
P.O. Box 566
Ames, Iowa 50010
800.858.6636