Farmers Cooperative – Community Grant Program (2027)
Community Improvement Grants for Rural Nebraska Nonprofits, Schools, and Municipalities
Farmers Cooperative’s Community Grant Program supports local projects that strengthen communities throughout the cooperative’s trade territory. Funding is available for recreational improvements, agricultural youth programs, emergency services equipment, community beautification, and other initiatives that enhance local quality of life.
Through partnerships with CHS, CoBank, and Land O’Lakes Foundation, selected projects may also receive additional matching contributions.
Applications open January 1, 2027, and close March 15, 2027.
Organization: Farmers Cooperative
Support Type: Community grants with potential matching contributions
Geographic Focus: Farmers Cooperative trade territory, primarily Nebraska
Funding Amount: Not publicly specified
Application Deadline: March 15, 2027
About the Funder
Farmers Cooperative is an agricultural cooperative headquartered in Dorchester, Nebraska. The organization provides agricultural products and services, including grain marketing, agronomy, energy, feed, and other resources supporting farmers and rural communities.
Through its Community Grant Program, Farmers Cooperative invests in projects that improve community infrastructure, strengthen local organizations, and enhance the quality of life in the communities it serves.
The cooperative works with vendor partners CHS, CoBank, and Land O’Lakes Foundation to increase the potential impact of its community investments.
What This Program Supports
Farmers Cooperative supports projects that provide meaningful benefits to local communities.
Community Recreation & Facilities
Projects that improve public recreational spaces and community gathering places.
Examples include:
- Parks and playground improvements
- Ballfield renovations
- Community swimming pool projects
- Recreational facility upgrades
- Other community-use infrastructure improvements
Agricultural Education & Youth Development
Projects that support agricultural education, youth leadership, and community engagement.
Examples include:
- 4-H community projects
- FFA chapter and community projects
- Agricultural club improvements
- Fairground enhancements
- Youth-focused agricultural initiatives
Emergency Services & Public Safety
Projects that strengthen emergency response capabilities and improve community safety.
Examples include:
- Fire department emergency equipment
- Equipment improvements for local emergency responders
- Other eligible public safety projects
Community Beautification & Improvement
Projects that enhance the appearance, functionality, and vitality of local communities.
Examples include:
- Community beautification projects
- Public space enhancements
- Improvements to community facilities
- Other initiatives that strengthen local communities
The program also considers other projects that demonstrate meaningful community benefits.
Eligible Support Types
Farmers Cooperative provides direct grants for eligible community projects.
Selected projects may also be considered for additional matching contributions through the cooperative’s vendor partners.
Potential Matching Contributions
Participating partners include:
- CHS
- CoBank
- Land O’Lakes Foundation
Farmers Cooperative may submit selected projects to these partners for matching funding consideration.
If approved, recipients receive the original Farmers Cooperative grant plus an additional contribution from a participating partner.
Matching funding decisions consider:
- Community impact
- Geographic reach
- Partnership opportunities
- Available funding
Matching contributions are not guaranteed and are subject to partner approval and funding availability.
Eligibility & Preferences
Eligible applicants include:
- 501(c)(3) public charities
- Schools
- Units of government, including municipalities
Projects must serve communities within Farmers Cooperative’s trade territory.
Geographic Eligibility
The program focuses on communities served by Farmers Cooperative, primarily in Nebraska.
The cooperative does not publish a specific list of eligible counties on its grant program page.
Organizations should contact Farmers Cooperative to confirm geographic eligibility before applying.
Ineligible Requests
Farmers Cooperative does not publish a detailed list of excluded activities or expenses.
Organizations seeking funding for projects outside the listed examples should contact the cooperative to confirm eligibility.
Funding Amounts
Grant Amounts: Not Publicly Specified
Farmers Cooperative does not publish standard minimum or maximum award amounts.
Selected projects may qualify for additional matching contributions from CHS, CoBank, or Land O’Lakes Foundation.
The amount and availability of matching support depend on partner review and funding availability.
Timeline & Review
📅 Applications Open: January 1, 2027
📅 Application Deadline: March 15, 2027
📅 Recipient Notification: By April 30, 2027
The 2027 application period runs from January 1 through March 15.
Recipients will be notified of funding decisions by April 30, 2027.
Organizations are encouraged to prepare their project descriptions and supporting information before the application window opens.
Application / Request Process
Applications will be available through Farmers Cooperative’s Community Grant Program beginning January 1, 2027.
Prospective applicants should be prepared to:
- Confirm their organization’s eligibility.
- Describe the proposed community project.
- Explain how the project will benefit local residents.
- Identify the community or geographic area served.
- Prepare a project budget and supporting information.
- Submit the application by March 15, 2027.
Applicants interested in potential matching contributions should clearly demonstrate the project’s community impact and broader benefits.
Questions:
Email: marketing@farmersco-operative.com
Phone: (402) 946-2211
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.farmersco-operative.com/about/grant-program
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This program is particularly well suited for organizations that:
- Serve rural communities within Farmers Cooperative’s trade territory
- Are improving parks, playgrounds, or recreational facilities
- Support 4-H, FFA, or other agricultural youth development programs
- Need emergency equipment for local fire departments
- Are planning community beautification or public facility improvements
- Can demonstrate meaningful local impact
- Would benefit from potential additional matching contributions
Farmers Cooperative’s Community Grant Program offers a valuable opportunity for rural nonprofits, schools, and municipalities seeking support for practical projects that strengthen their communities.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Annual application cycle
Application Window: January 1–March 15, 2027
Deadline: March 15, 2027
Recipient Notification: By April 30, 2027
Funding Amount: Not publicly specified
Matching Opportunity: Potential contributions from CHS, CoBank, and Land O’Lakes Foundation
Geographic Restriction: Farmers Cooperative trade territory, primarily Nebraska
Best Suited For: Rural nonprofits, schools, municipalities, 4-H and FFA organizations, volunteer fire departments, and community improvement projects
Application Strategy: Confirm geographic eligibility, prepare project details in advance, and submit during the January 1–March 15 application window.