Community Foundation Announces 2026 Grant Program

for Agricultural Education

“AgForward” grants available to advance agricultural education and training in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri

  

Nonprofit educational institutions and organizations in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri are invited to apply for project funding to advance education and innovation in the field of production agriculture. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded through the Community Foundation program, “AgForward,” which is made possible by the Bob W. Richter Endowment for Agricultural Education and the Compeer Financial Rural Collaboration Project.

 

AgForward grants are designed to strengthen the future of agriculture throughout the Community Foundation’s service area by supporting hands-on learning, emerging technologies, and workforce development opportunities for learners of all ages, from youth exploring agriculture for the first time to adults building skills for today’s evolving industry.

 

“Agriculture remains the backbone of our region, and programs like AgForward help ensure its continued strength and sustainability,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “We are deeply grateful for the vision of the late Mr. Richter, whose generosity created a lasting endowment that allows us to invest in agricultural education and innovation for generations to come.”

Additional grant funding is supported through Compeer Financial’s Rural Collaboration Project, a regional initiative focused on strengthening rural vitality and supporting communities with a long-term vision for growth. Through the program, Compeer Financial has committed more than $1.4 million to 14 community and initiative foundations across Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, including the Community Foundation of West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri.

“As a rural lending cooperative, Compeer Financial understands the importance of empowering rural communities to be active, strong and economically vibrant,” said Karen Schieler, manager of Compeer Giving at Compeer Financial. “These qualities are essential to creating a high quality of life for rural residents, which helps retain and attract residents.”

This investment recognizes the critical role your community foundation plays in identifying local needs and directing resources to programs that strengthen agriculture, education, and workforce development in rural communities.

“When our communities are strong, our future is bright. This program will grow both local agriculture and local industry leaders. We thank Compeer Financial for their investment in the future of our region,” said Meckes.

 

Through the AgForward grant program, the Community Foundation encourages grant applications that will:

• Advance the field of production agriculture in the Community Foundation’s 12-county service area;
• Encourage or inspire agricultural careers and/or develop a skilled agricultural workforce;
• Develop and train individuals in technologies and techniques that will enable agriculture to be more productive, efficient, and safe.

 

Eligible applicants include nonprofit educational institutions, primary through post-secondary, and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations located in Adams, Brown, Hancock, or Pike Counties (IL) and Clark, Lewis, Knox, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, Shelby, or Pike Counties (MO).

 

Applications will be accepted April 1 – May 15 and grants will be awarded by June 30.

 

Grantseekers are encouraged to review the Request for Proposal (RFP) prior to applying. The RFP and online application are available at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/grants.

 

Questions? Email Kent Embree at kembree@mycommunityfoundation.org or call 217-222-1237.

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The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri is an endowment builder, community connector, and grant maker. Together with its donors, the Community Foundation improves the quality of life in the communities it serves by growing permanent charitable resources and fostering collaborative philanthropy.

 

Since its founding in 1997, the Community Foundation has distributed more than $20 million in grants from 250 funds to advance arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services.

 

For more information, call 217-222-1237, email info@mycommunityfoundation.org or go to mycommunityfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.