Massachusetts Society For Promoting Agriculture Grant

The Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture provides grants (and, on occasion, loans and investment funding) to enterprises which, in the judgement of the Trustees of the Society, will promote agriculture in Massachusetts. Founded in 1792, the Society has for over 200 years offered financial assistance to forward-looking individuals and enterprises committed to the cause of agriculture and agricultural land use in Massachusetts.

Grants are offered by the Society for projects:

• That will benefit agriculture practiced in Massachusetts in a manner that is both economically and environmentally sound;

• That will broaden the knowledge of and support for farmers and farming in Massachusetts;

• That would not be likely to receive funding from government or corporate sources, but where a grant from the Society would enhance the chances of such funding by way of matching grants;

• That would stimulate research in new areas.

The Trustees encourage a wide range of agricultural enterprises; however, areas of current interest have often focused on sustainable agriculture, including integrated pest management, projects which directly benefit the farming community (for example, overcoming environmental problems), and projects which carry ancillary benefits, such as the preservation of farmland and open space. Other areas, which have recently received support, are unique marketing ideas and education programs designed to encourage consumer awareness of Massachusetts farm products. 

Both individuals and institutions may apply — but this is a private trust funding projects that promote Massachusetts agriculture, and it says outright that it usually does not fund for-profit businesses.

Who may apply. The application form's first field is "NAME OF INDIVIDUAL OR INSTITUTION REQUESTING THE GRANT," so an individual can apply. The Society describes itself as offering "financial assistance to forward-looking individuals and enterprises committed to the cause of agriculture and agricultural land use in Massachusetts." The form also asks for your "FEDERAL EIN NUMBER" and "IRC SECTION (e.g., 501c(3))," so nonprofit status is plainly the expected norm.

The limit that matters to a commercial farm. "Grants are not normally awarded for fundraising campaigns, which are generally subscribed to by the public, nor does the Society usually contribute to building funds, endowments, regular budgets, or for-profit enterprises." If you are a for-profit farm looking for equipment, infrastructure or working capital, this is very likely the wrong door.

What the project must do. Grants are offered for projects:

• "That will benefit agriculture practiced in Massachusetts in a manner that is both economically and environmentally sound";

• "That will broaden the knowledge of and support for farmers and farming in Massachusetts";

• "That would not be likely to receive funding from government or corporate sources, but where a grant from the Society would enhance the chances of such funding by way of matching grants";

• "That would stimulate research in new areas."

Current areas of interest run to sustainable agriculture and IPM, projects that directly benefit the farming community, farmland and open-space preservation, unique marketing ideas, and consumer-education programs about Massachusetts farm products.

Where. The benefit must land on "agriculture practiced in Massachusetts" — your project description is required to state its "Relationship to agriculture practiced in Massachusetts."

No thresholds. No acreage minimum, income floor or ceiling, years-of-experience requirement, or ownership/tenure test is published, and there is no audience restriction or stated priority (beginning, veteran, socially disadvantaged). No SAM.gov/UEI or state registration is required. Awards are entirely discretionary: grants go "to enterprises which, in the judgement of the Trustees of the Society, will promote agriculture in Massachusetts," and "Applicants should anticipate the usual time needed for consideration of grants to be a minimum of three months from the date of submission."

If you are awarded. "A report on the progress of the project must be submitted to the Trustees within twelve months."

The range of grants recently made is between $500 and $25,000, with a typical grant size approximately $5,000. Applicants should anticipate the usual time needed for consideration of grants to be a minimum of three months from the date of submission.

Grants are not normally awarded for fundraising campaigns, which are generally subscribed to by the public, nor does the Society usually contribute to building funds, endowments, regular budgets, or for-profit enterprises. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Download the Application Form below

2. Complete the form on your computer (you can type directly into the form).

3. Save it with your organization’s name and the current date as the filename. For example “XYZResearch_010108.pdf”.

4. Describe your project in more detail in a Word Document.

5. Email your completed .pdf application form, your project description .doc (.txt and .pdf also accepted) and any other relevant information to: grants@promotingmassag.org

6. Email is the preferred submission method, but you may submit by regular mail if you contact MSPA and ask for a mailing address. Please be advised that mailed applications will need to include five copies of your application (including the form). 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

You must attach these files to your email:

• Application Form (.pdf)

• Project Description (.doc .txt or .pdf). Be sure to include information on the following:

  • Reasons for the undertaking.

  • Relationship to agriculture practiced in Massachusetts.

  • Significance of project in the field.

• A Budget. Please include professional personnel, technical personnel, supplies, equipment, travel, etc., as separate items.

You may also include:

• Any other supporting information that might be useful such as:

• Resumes of those responsible for the project

• Press coverage of project, individuals, topic etc.

• Photographs or diagrams 

• Application Form.

• Application Procedure Document

• FAQ