Topics
AgStar Financial Services, ACA
• Background and Overview
• Local Service Area
AgStar Fund for Rural America
• Mission and Scope
• Giving Programs
• AgStar Fund for Rural America Grant Program
AgStar Financial Services, ACA
• Part of the nation-wide Farm Credit System; a
Government Sponsored Entity (GSE) that serves
agriculture and rural America
• In business for over 90 years, providing a broad range of
financial services and business tools for agricultural and
rural clients.
• A cooperative owned by our client-stockholders. Serve
over 23,000 clients and manage almost $8BB in loan
and lease assets.
• Service area includes 69 counties in MN and northwest
WI
Local
Service
Area
• 69 counties
• 10 offices
(8 in MN;
2 in WI)
• Over 600
dedicated
team
members
3 State Territory Map
AgStar Fund for Rural America
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•
•
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Designated as a Corporate Giving Program
Established in 2001
Managed by a Board of Trustees
To date, we have given over $4M back to the
communities we serve.
AgStar Fund for Rural America
• Mission: Enhancing life in agriculture and Rural
America.
• Support programs that fit strategically with the
intent of our clients and the communities in
which they live.
• Focus Areas: Education, Environment,
Technology, and Quality of Life
Grant Programs
• Fund for Rural America Grant Program (Oct 1 – Nov 30)
• Rural Feasibility Study Grant Program (year round)
• County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program (March 1-31)
• Agriculture Classroom Equipment Grant Program (April 1-30)
• Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program (August 1-31)
Scholarship Programs
• High School Senior Scholarship Program (Jan 1 – Apr 1)
• AgStar Scholars Scholarship Program (thru Fall and Winter)
• Groundbreakers Farm Business Management Tuition
Assistance (year round)
• Minority Lending Training and Technology Voucher Program
(year round) (restricted to AgStar clients)
Self-Directed Areas of Giving
• Disaster Relief efforts
• Young, Beginning, Small Farmer educational programs
• Women, Minority, and Immigrant Farmer educational
programs
• Rural Economic Development initiatives
• Event/Program Sponsorship
AgStar Fund for Rural America Grant
Program
• Currently accepting applications on-line through
November 30. (www.AgStar.com)
• Grants are available up to $10,000 per organization for:
• Project or program support
• Technical Assistance
• General Operating Support
• Technology or Equipment
Considerations
• Fit with AgStar mission
• Number of rural residents impacted / geographic
distribution
• Project outcomes
• Prevalence of Fund support
• PR value/cooperation
• Impact on AgStar brand
Considerations
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Is there a clear vision?
What needs are addressed?
Are there any other organizations doing this same work?
Can the project be partially funded?
If not funded by AgStar, will the project be scrapped?
Please note:
• Grants may be partially funded.
• Previous funding does not guarantee continuing support
to any organization.
• Some organizations meeting the AgStar Fund criteria
may not receive support in a given year.
• The AgStar Fund will not provide critiques of applications
submitted.
• Applications will be reviewed and grants awarded in
March of 2014. Applicants will be notified of all decisions
as soon as possible.
• In most cases, grant funds will need to be used by
December 31, 2014.
Questions?
Thank You!
Melanie Olson, AgStar Fund Specialist
14800 Galaxie Avenue, Suite 205
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Ph: 952-997-1255
E-mail: Melanie.Olson@agstar.com
Website: AgStar.com