Common Fund Grants
MAELC will award Common Fund grants to applications having a statewide impact. This grant program is designed to encourage collaborative initiatives with an emphasis on agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR) education programs at the primary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. Only single-year funding requests will be accepted. Applications are due November 15, 2024 and April 15, 2025.
Special Consideration will be given to grants that incorporate at least one or more of the following MAELC Goals:
- Increasing the quality of instruction to prepare strong graduates from diverse backgrounds for current and future careers in agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR)
- Increasing the numbers and types of students, graduates, teachers, and community members involved in AFNR education to meet present and future needs
- Improving the understanding of AFNR education by making accurate and complete information widely available to students, parents, school administrators, teachers, and employers
Over the last five years, the average grant award is approximately $18,658.
Application Procedures and Guidelines
For more information about the Common Fund grant program and an application overview, please review the "Common Fund Application Guidelines" (PDF).
Grant Winners
FY 2025 - Round 1
| Institution | Amount | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation | $12,755 | MAITC Professional Learning Community Cohort |
| Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation | $18,330 | Climate Education in Action: Empowering Minnesota AFNR Instructors Through Experiential Learning & Collaboration |
| TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED | $31,085 |
FY 2024 - Round 2
| Institution | Amount | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Sota Agricultural Children's Museum | $22,200.89 | Agriculture Exhibits for the Mini Sota Museum |
| Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation | $23,660 | Strengthening the Food for Thought Geography Resource |
| TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED | $45,860.89 |
FY 2024 - Round 1
| Institution | Amount | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota - 4-H Plant Sciences | $20,160 | Minnesota 4-H: Nurturing Agriculture Educators for a Sustainable Future |
| University of Minnesota - Agricultural Education | $11,180 | Food Security Education: Unlocking individual, program, and community potential – Developing professional development and curriculum for MN AFNR Teachers |
| TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED | $31,340 |