Nonprofits working in or with rural Michigan have a chance to secure $800 for the betterment of their communities. The focus areas are agriculture, broadband access/adoption; economic development, education, health, housing, renewable energy/energy conservation, rural philanthropy, and transportation; the deadline is August 30. From the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan award page:

The Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM) is pleased to announce their Community Grant Award program. This program offers grants of up to $800 to organizations engaged in rural community development work. RPM, as part of the Michigan Rural Council, seeks to connect and educate community leaders, provide expertise and advocate for policy and projects that impact rural Michigan.

Eligibility Criteria

• This RFP is open to all nonprofit organizations working within or on behalf of rural Michigan.
• Grant funds should be used to directly benefit rural communities.
• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, municipality or governmental entity must act as the fiduciary/grantee.
• Awards are limited to one per community per grant period.
• Projects should commence within the next six months

Applications for the Community Grant Award program are encouraged to include more than one entity or organization within a community or a larger geographic region. Extra weight will be given to programs or projects that have not been funded in the past and have gone through an RPM Community Assessment. Projects or programs selected to receive a Community Grant Award will be required to submit a brief final report when grant funds have been expended. As part of the final report grantees will be asked to submit a picture, press release outlining the project and also be willing to present their story at the annual Small Town and Rural Development Conference held on April 14-16, 2014. We will notify applicants of awards within three weeks of the submission deadline.

Proposal Submission

The RFP and directions for proposal submissions can be found here.

The current grant application can be found here.  After filling out the application, it can be emailed to Jessica AcMoody (acmoody@cedam.info) or faxed to 517-485-3043 attn: Jessica AcMoody.

Grants will be awarded bi-annually each year with deadlines on August 30^th and February 15^th. The Granting Committee, comprised of Board Members of the Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM), will select up to five proposals to be awarded during each of the two cycles throughout the year.

Direct questions regarding eligibility or the application to MRC Coordinator Jessica AcMoody.”