Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for community gardens.

Fill out an interest form on this page to begin the loan process. 

Community Vision will contact the application and guide the process from there.

As a leading mission-driven lender, Community Vision provides creative capital solutions of all sizes to support community-based organizations and small businesses with the resources they need to strengthen, stabilize, and thrive.

Community Vision fills the gap for communities with low financial wealth who have been systemically limited in their access to the vital resources they need to obtain financial freedom. As partners, Community Vision works alongside its clients to foster revitalized, equitable, and vibrant communities.



As a leading mission-driven lender, Community Vision provides creative capital solutions of all sizes to support community-based organizations and small businesses with the resources they need to strengthen, stabilize, and thrive.
Community Vision fills the gap for communities with low financial wealth who have been systemically limited in their access to the vital resources they need to obtain financial freedom. As partners, Community Vision works alongside its clients to foster revitalized, equitable, and vibrant communities.

All applicants must
- Be located within Northern or Central California.
- Demonstrate evidence of ability to meet the terms of the proposed loan.
- Demonstrate deep community roots and focus on amplifying visions for their own communities.

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Farmers Market

Local Food

Historically Underserved

Food Systems

Term: 
- Up to 10 years
Lines of Credit:
- 12 months (renewable)
Loan-to-Value: 
- Up to 90%
Interest Rate:
- Real Estate: 5.75%-6.25%
- Working Capital: 6.25%-6.75%
- Possibly lower for very high impact projects.
Loan Fees: 
- 1.5%-2% including application, commitment, and closing.
Collateral: 
- Real estate preferred but will consider other types of collateral. Subordination to conventional lenders considered.

Carefully read the Request for Applications and then apply online at this link.

The Pollinator Habitat Program will provide up to $14.5 million in funding to established and experienced organizations (See Eligibility) to work directly with farmers and ranchers to install habitat and implement management&#x2004;practices that support pollinators.

The Pollinator Habitat Program is aligned with the suite of Climate Smart Agriculture incentive programs administered by CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation. The program’s primary objective is to support pollinators through provision of floral resources, host plants and other elements of suitable habitat. Projects funded through the PHP can be expected to have additional benefits to California’s biodiversity and agricultural production. Projects will support integrated pest management, support beneficial species (beyond pollinators), enhance carbon sequestration and improve soil health among other co-benefits.

Pollinators are essential to many of California’s agricultural crops and to the vast biodiversity of California’s natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors including habitat destruction, pesticides, disease, and climate change pollinators are in decline. The loss of pollinators in California affects both agricultural and natural ecosystems. It is the goal of the Pollinator Habitat Program to help strengthen pollinator populations and health.



The Pollinator Habitat Program will provide up to $14.5 million in funding to established and experienced organizations (See Eligibility) to work directly with farmers and ranchers to install habitat and implement management practices that support pollinators.
The Pollinator Habitat Program is aligned with the suite of Climate Smart Agriculture incentive programs administered by CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation. The program’s primary objective is to support pollinators through provision of floral resources, host plants and other elements of suitable habitat. Projects funded through the PHP can be expected to have additional benefits to California’s biodiversity and agricultural production. Projects will support integrated pest management, support beneficial species (beyond pollinators), enhance carbon sequestration and improve soil health among other co-benefits.
Pollinators are essential to many of California’s agricultural crops and to the vast biodiversity of California’s natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors including habitat destruction, pesticides, disease, and climate change pollinators are in decline. The loss of pollinators in California affects both agricultural and natural ecosystems. It is the goal of the Pollinator Habitat Program to help strengthen pollinator populations and health.

The following entities are eligible to apply for PHP grants:
- Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs)
- University of California, California Community Colleges or California State Universities
- Non-profits including, but not limited to
    - Land Trusts with the conservation of agricultural lands as their mission or amongst their stated purposes
- Federally- and California-Recognized Native American Indian Tribes
Agricultural commodity groups are encouraged to apply in partnership with the above eligible entities.
Entities applying for PHP grants must have demonstrated expertise and experience in habitat restoration on agricultural lands or implementation of conservation management practices that support pollinators.
Entities receiving grant award funds must be located in California with a physical business mailing address in California.
Partnerships between multiple organizations are encouraged.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

- Request for Grant Applications
- PHP flyer 2022 
- Pollinator Habitat Program Public Comment Letters
- Pollinator Habitat Program CDFA Responses to Public Comment

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Conservation

The CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program will award up to $11,670,000 for proposals through this solicitation to fund programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of CA.

Grant Applications Links: Please click the Track you are interested in applying to access the AmpliFund grant application:

- Track 1 Systems Builder Community Based Block Grant

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a competitive grant that funds programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of California.

The purpose of the Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant is to increase staff capacity and provide pass through funding for Community-Based Organizations (CBO’s) with grassroots involvement in urban and regional food systems planning. Eligible CBO’s may apply for awards from $200,000 - $800,000 in CDFA funding to engage and administer subawards to urban agriculture stakeholders in their region. Track 1 funded Organizations may utilize between $5,000-$60,000 of the award towards eligible urban agriculture work being done internally. Subawards to external stakeholders will range from $5,000 to $60,000. At least one CBO within each urban region of California will receive an award, and at least one CBO with statewide reach will receive funding. CDFA aims to distribute awards geographically throughout California’s urban areas to the extent possible.

- Track 2 Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a competitive grant that funds programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of California.

The purpose of the Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant is to directly fund urban agriculture projects, providing awards from $75,000 - $300,000 for eligible for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, Tribal Based non-profits, and Tribal Governments that are led by or serve priority populations identified using the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map and located in urban areas as defined by CDFA.

- NOTE: Applicants may only apply to ONE Track



Sara Bernal

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a one-time&#x2004;only, competitive grant that will fund programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of CA.


Urban Agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban settings, including things like inground small plot cultivation, raised beds, vertical production, warehouse farms, mushroom growing, urban forestry and tree care, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and other innovations. Urban farmers and gardeners work among diverse populations to expand access to nutritious foods, foster community engagement, offer workforce development opportunities, educate communities about food and farming, and expand green spaces.


CDFA defines “urban” as a geographic area no more than 25 miles adjacent to or outside of one Urbanized Area containing a population of 50,000 or more people.


Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by or serving priority populations. Priority Populations will be identified using the California Air Resources Board’s [California Climate Investments Priority Populations map](https://gis.carb.arb.ca.gov/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=6b4b15f8c6514733972cabdda3108348).


CDFA will award up to $11,670,000 for proposals through this solicitation.



The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a one-time only, competitive grant that will fund programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of CA.

Urban Agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban settings, including things like inground small plot cultivation, raised beds, vertical production, warehouse farms, mushroom growing, urban forestry and tree care, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and other innovations. Urban farmers and gardeners work among diverse populations to expand access to nutritious foods, foster community engagement, offer workforce development opportunities, educate communities about food and farming, and expand green spaces.

CDFA defines “urban” as a geographic area no more than 25 miles adjacent to or outside of one Urbanized Area containing a population of 50,000 or more people.

Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by or serving priority populations. Priority Populations will be identified using the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map.

CDFA will award up to $11,670,000 for proposals through this solicitation.

Track 1 Systems Builder Community Based Block Grant
Eligible Applicants
- Special District Governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (not Federally recognized), Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excludes institutions of higher education), Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excludes institutions of higher education), Private institutions of higher education

Additional Eligibility Information
- All applicants for Track 1 must serve communities located in urban areas as defined. Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by, or serving priority populations as defined by the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map.
- Track 1: Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant Eligibility:
    - Non-profit organizations, Tribal Governments and Tribal Based non-profit organizations with knowledge and experience in Regional Food Systems are eligible to apply.
    - Individuals, for-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government entities, and public or private colleges and universities are not eligible to apply.

Track 2 Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant
Eligible Applicants:
- Special District Governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (not Federally recognized), Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excludes institutions of higher education), Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excludes institutions of higher education), Small Businesses

Additional Eligibility Information
- Only RCD's qualify under Special District Governments. All applicants for Track 2 must serve communities located in urban areas as defined. Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by, or serving priority populations as defined by the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map.
- Non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, Native American Tribes, and Tribal Based non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must also be a Qualified Small Business and thus meet the following criteria: Is one of the following:
    - i. A sole proprietor, independent contractor, 1099 employee, C-corporation, S-corporation, cooperative, limited liability company, partnership, or limited partnership, with an annual gross revenue of less than five million dollars ($5,000,000), but greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000), in the 2022 taxable year.
    - ii. A registered nonprofit entity that had an annual gross revenue of less than five million dollars ($5,000,000), but greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000), in the 2022 taxable year.
    - iii. An organization that is fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit corporation.
    - Local, state, and federal government entities, and public or private colleges and universities are not eligible to apply.

Stewardship

Socially Disadvantaged

Labor

Farms submit a Letter of Intent for the initial round via the online application portal. Projects that are chosen as finalists by the grant review committee are invited to complete a second, more-detailed application.

Founded in 2012, The FruitGuys Community&#x2004;Fund (TFGCF) is a 501c3 under fiscal sponsorship of [Community Initiatives](https://communityin.org/). TFGCF grew out of The Farm Steward Program at [The FruitGuys](https://fruitguys.com/), a family-run office fruit & snack delivery service and Certified B Corp. Founded in 1998 in San Francisco, CA, The FruitGuys sources locally-grown produce from farms near 17 regional hubs and works with 200+ US farms. Founder and CEO, Chris Mittelstaedt, was struck by farmers’ personal stories and how a small project can impact a farm’s livelihood. These stories informed the program’s creation and continue to influence the evolution of our grant program.



Founded in 2012, The FruitGuys Community Fund (TFGCF) is a 501c3 under fiscal sponsorship of Community Initiatives. TFGCF grew out of The Farm Steward Program at The FruitGuys, a family-run office fruit & snack delivery service and Certified B Corp. Founded in 1998 in San Francisco, CA, The FruitGuys sources locally-grown produce from farms near 17 regional hubs and works with 200+ US farms. Founder and CEO, Chris Mittelstaedt, was struck by farmers’ personal stories and how a small project can impact a farm’s livelihood. These stories informed the program’s creation and continue to influence the evolution of our grant program.

1. Only U.S. farms are eligible.
2. Applicant is an owner/operator of the farm or has long-term, legal access to the land. If farming on leased land, a letter of support from the landowner specifying length of the lease agreement must be provided with the grant application.
3. Agricultural nonprofits are also encouraged to apply.
4. The applicant farm must be an established working farm with at least 1 year of experience that is looking to improve operations.
5. Farms are welcome to re-apply for the same project or a different one if they have not been funded in an earlier grant cycle.
6. Farm is small to medium-sized as determined by acreage in agricultural production. Farms with more than 300 acres in agricultural production are ineligible to apply.

List of Agricultural Funding for Community Gardens