Micro-Grants for Food Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I count family members as separate individuals on one project?
Yes! An individual 18 or older may be listed as a co-applicant. A husband and wife or significant others are each considered individuals for the purpose of this grant.
Can children apply as an individual?
No. However, the leader of a youth organization (FFA, 4H, or other youth group) may apply and sign as responsible for the child.
Can we have several unrelated people listed as individuals, working on the same property?
Yes. They can be individual participants on the same application and must show how each contributes to the project.
What is the cost match?
It is 10% of the over-all request per individual/organization, watch the form!
Are firearms, ammunition, fishing poles and tackle, or fishing boats/motors or the maintenance of the former
items eligible?
No.
If we are applying as a group, can we mix organizations and individuals together?
No. But groups of individuals or groups of organizations are fine. And remember, each individual or organization is jointly responsible for the project.
Can I apply for more than one grant on separate parcels of property?
You as an individual may apply once, but you could have someone else apply for a separate project.
If I apply to receive a grant for a project, can my spouse or significant other submit their own application for a different project?
The two of you can put both of your requests in the same application. Two or more activities can be in one Pre-Application, submitted by a group of two individuals together.
Can one individual submit two or three different grant applications for different projects?
No, but two or three projects can be we wrapped into one application!
Do I need a business license to apply?
No! In fact, for-profit businesses do not qualify for this grant. This grant is aimed at individuals and non-profit organizations.
Can my spouse/significant other and I qualify as individuals and each qualify for $5,000?
Yes. A husband and wife or significant others, each qualify as individuals, up to $5,000 each, for each of the three years (a total of $10,000 per year.) That is a two-person “group of individuals” and requires only one application for the both of you.
If multiple individuals are applying for the same project improvements, does that mean four individuals could apply
for $20K per year over three years, as longs as they have the cost match?
Yes! $20K per year for each year of the three- year project.
Can this grant be used for education, such as taking an online permaculture design class, Alaska Master Gardeners
courses, or other food production related education?
The standard is, will it increase food production/security in the state or your region? Please explain your end goal of how the education helps to achieve the increase in food security.
Are refrigeration units or meat processing equipment such as hoists for butchering, storage packaging, etc. covered?
Yes, these types of things would certainly qualify as part of a project that is increasing food security.
Is it possible to use the funds for reimbursement and/or for a vehicle used to deliver products and for transport of
products to the farmer’s market?
Normal Travel/Transport does not qualify but reimbursement of directly related project expenses could.
Can the funds be used for wages?
Yes, labor is included, provided the wages are directly related to the projects that are leading to increased food security. Please be sure to show how this is the case.
Is the grant money taxable?
It could be. Typically, this money will be viewed as income for tax purposes. This will vary based on your individual situation. Contact your tax consultant.
If an applicant is approved for a 3-year plan, will the $1500 match be required up front the first year, or will the $500 be expected each year?
You must provide your match of $500 each year.
When will grant funds be distributed if my application is selected, yearly, quarterly, etc.?
This will be determined on a project-by-project basis.
What about an HOA neighborhood that has adjacent vacant land owned by the borough which we are allowed to use,
how could we apply for a grant to create a community garden hub space?
A community garden fits within the scope of this grant. Reach out to your local government unit to get authorization and permissions. Attach the written permissions to your application.
Does land have to be fully paid off to use this grant?
No!
Does putting in a greenhouse, smokehouse, or garden expansion on my property qualify?
Yes. Be sure to explain how it increases food production in the state or region.
Can an organization apply for more than one project?
No. One organization may not have several distinct projects. The limit is $10,000 per year, for each of the three years, per organization. However, several organizations may get together for an aggregate request for a larger amount and have multiple projects in one application.
I live in a city, such as Palmer, or Fairbanks, can I still apply for this grant, or is it only for rural villages?
Yes, you can apply for this grant, regardless of where you live in Alaska. If we must prioritize, then rural areas and individuals that are less food secure will be given priority.
You can download a copy of the FAQs by clicking here.
