Compeer Financial – County Fair Facility Grant
Supporting Agricultural Buildings and Facilities on County Fairgrounds
Compeer Financial’s County Fair Facility Grant supports improvements to agricultural buildings and facilities on county fairgrounds in Compeer’s 144-county service territory across Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The program is designed to help county fairs provide safe, functional spaces for livestock, youth exhibitors, agricultural displays, education, and outreach.
Organization: Compeer Financial / Compeer Giving
Support Type: County fair facility grants
Geographic Focus: Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory across Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Deadline: October 15
Application Opens: September 1
Grant Amount: Up to $7,500
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About the Funder
Compeer Financial is a member-owned financial cooperative serving agriculture and rural communities across portions of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Through Compeer Giving, the organization invests in programs that help agriculture and rural communities remain dynamic, collaborative, and thriving.
The County Fair Facility Grant reflects Compeer Financial’s commitment to supporting rural communities, agricultural education, youth development, and the county fair traditions that showcase agriculture across the region.
What This Program Supports
The County Fair Facility Grant supports renovations, updates, and improvements to agricultural buildings and facilities on county fairgrounds.
Eligible projects may include:
Renovations to agricultural buildings
Updates to livestock barns or show facilities
Improvements to spaces used by youth exhibitors
Facility improvements that support agricultural displays, education, and outreach
New building or barn construction projects for agricultural needs
Eligible Applicants
Qualified applicants must:
Support project spaces and facilities used for agricultural displays, livestock, youth exhibitors, agriculture education, and outreach
Be located within Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory across Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Use grant funds for improvements that benefit the upcoming fair season
Submit a valid Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, Form W-9
Compeer Giving notes that past recipients may be limited in when they can apply again.
Recipients of the 2025 grant will be eligible to apply again in 2027.
Funding Amounts
Grants are available for up to $7,500.
Awarded funds must be spent on improvements for the upcoming fair season.
Funding Priorities
This grant is focused on improving facilities and buildings that support:
Agricultural exhibitors
4-H members
Livestock activities
Agricultural education
Agricultural outreach
Youth development through county fair participation
Ineligible Requests
Funding is not available for all requests. For this grant opportunity, Compeer Giving’s focus is on agricultural facilities rather than general fairground amenities.
Out-of-scope requests include:
General public facilities
Entertainment venues
Food vendor or concession areas
Storm shelters
Bathrooms
Deficits already incurred
Compeer Financial also notes that it is no longer offering the Community Building Grant Program. County fairs with building projects should apply through the County Fair Facility Grant instead.
Timeline & Review
📅 Application Opens: September 1
📅 Application Deadline: October 15
📅 Notification: Applicants will be informed of their grant status approximately six weeks after the deadline
📅 Spending Period: Awards must be spent on improvements for the upcoming fair season
📅 Reporting Deadline: August 1 of the following year
Failure to complete required reporting may impact future eligibility.
Application / Request Process
Applicants should complete the County Fair Facility Grant application during the annual grant cycle. County fairs and eligible organizations should be prepared to describe the proposed facility improvement, explain how the project supports agriculture-related activities, and identify how the project will benefit exhibitors, livestock, youth participants, agriculture education, or outreach.
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.compeer.com/investing-in-rural-communities/giving-back/grants/county-fair-facility-grant
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is a strong fit for county fairs and fairground organizations in Compeer Financial’s Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin service area that need support for agricultural buildings, barns, livestock spaces, or facilities used by youth exhibitors and agricultural education programs.
The County Fair Facility Grant may be especially relevant for projects that improve safety, functionality, and the public presentation of agriculture while supporting 4-H members, youth development, and rural community traditions.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Annual grant cycle
Grant Amount: Up to $7,500
Application Opens: September 1
Deadline: October 15
Geographic Focus: Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory across Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Notification: Approximately six weeks after deadline
Reporting Deadline: August 1 of the following year
Best Suited For: County fairs and fairground organizations improving agricultural buildings, livestock facilities, youth exhibitor spaces, or agriculture education areas
