Community Grants

Summer 2026 applications will open on July 9th with a community information meeting to follow on July 16th at 5pm. Sign up for AFC Gives emails to be notified. 

Our Community Grants funding program has been giving back to our community for more than two decades. Each year, the Ashland Food Co-op's Board of Directors sets aside a percentage of sales from the previous year, into a Cashflow Driven Investment (CDI) with the help of our friends at Twin Pines which allows this fund to benefit even more community-driven projects.


These funds support local projects that align with the Ashland Food Co-op's stated vision of enhancing health and enriching the community while promoting our mission to provide education about food, environment, nutrition, health and culture. These local organizations are the heartbeat of our community, and we are proud to contribute these grants to assist in funding projects that are either already in the works or ready to get funded. In 2025, we proudly donated over $35,000 to 19 area nonprofit organizations doing excellent work within our community.

Group of people in front of black backdrop at AFC Gives Awards

2024 Community Grant Recipients

 

What is required of Community Grants applicants?

  • Applicants must be a 501c3 organization (EIN number is required), or have a 501c3 as your fiscal sponsor.
  • Applicants must have an Ashland Food Co-op owner affiliated with the organization whether it be the individual applying, a member of your board, staff, or a key donor.
  • The application will prompt organizations to detail their project strategy, sequence of activities, and timeline along with how their project will address equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Non-profit organizations are encouraged to request program funding for projects that are in the scope of our five grant categories:

Education, Arts, & Culture
Grants in this category fund projects that provide education, arts, and cultural programs that benefit the local community. This Category also funds projects that teach us about the benefits of healthy food and nutrition. 

Health and Basic Needs
Grants in this category fund projects that strenghten our communtiy by helping those with the greatest unmet needs. Including issues of housing and homelessness, providing for food, shelter, and clothing and/or addressing the needs of children in and on the edge of poverty. This category also funds projects and organizations committed to human health, a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. 

Environmental Stewardship
Grants in this category fund projects that provide hands-on experience in improving or restoring our natural environment. Additional support is provided for organizations that increase awareness and viability of local food producers and/or support sustainable agriculture. 

 

Once a grant application is submitted, it undergoes a careful review process by the AFC Gives Committee, which is composed of a mix of Co-op Owner Members, Employees, and Board Members. Every application is independently reviewed by committee members over the course of a three week period and scored using an extensive rubric . Also during this time, small working groups of 2-3 committee members meet to more closely review and research each application. After the review period, the full committee reconvenes to hear presentations from each working group and to compare rubric scores. Thorough discussion takes place to determine fund allocation and proposal prioritization, and final decisions are decided by an official vote. The AFC Gives Committee is always mindful of avoiding conflicts of interest, and when necessary, committee members will abstain from a vote depending on their community involvement with an organization. If you have any further questions about the AFC Gives Community Grant Review process, you may email AFCGives@AshlandFood.coop

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Can I apply if we received a Community Grant last year?
    Absolutely.
  • Can I apply if we were a Change for Good Partner?
    Organizations that are selected to be a Change for Good partner are unable to apply to be considered for an additional Community Grant. Organizations that were not chosen in the election to be a Change for Good partner in the upcoming year are eligible to apply for Community Grant funding.
  • How do I apply if I don't have access to the web forms?
    Please contact our Marketing Department at 541-552-5479 and they will assist you.
  • Can we apply if we are not a 501c3?
    Organizations that apply need to be a 501c3 or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501c3.
  • What is the typical amount awarded for a Community Grant?
    Community grants are awarded for any amount up to $2,000 either as a check or Ashland Food Co-op gift card. If the grant request is for food, the grant will likely be awarded as gift cards.
  • When and how will the funds be disbursed?
    Within 2-3 weeks of the Community Grants announcement, checks and gift cards will be sent out by mail.

If you have further questions please feel welcome to email AFCGives@AshlandFood.coop

 

Organizations' projects funded by 2025 Community Grants:

  • Ashland Community Food Bank
  • Ashland Food Angels
  • St. Vincent de Paul, Ashland/Talent
  • Empowered Arts Ensemble
  • OUR Community Forestry
  • SMART Reading
  • Cave Junction Farmers Market
  • Highland Lakes Center L.L.C. DBA Willowdale Ranch
  • Southern Oregon Child & Family Council- Southern Oregon Headstart
  • SOPride
  • Peace House
  • Anima Mundi Productions
  • Walker Parent Teacher Organization
  • Ashland Flute Circle
  • Rogue Action Center
  • The SOU Student Food Pantry - SOU Foundation
  • TRAILS Outdoor School Parent Teacher Collective (PTC)
  • Freedom Farms
  • Ashland Folk Collective

AFC Gives 2024 Community Grants informational meeting.