Fill and Sign the 65j 1833319 Complete Enrollment Form Gastro

M.S.P.A. Grant Application Procedure ABOUT M.S.P.A. GRANTS 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. 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. HOW TO APPLY • • • • • Download the Application Form from the M.S.P.A. Web Site. Complete the form on your computer (you can type directly into the form). Save it with your organization’s name and the current date as the filename. For example “XYZResearch_010108.pdf”. Describe your project in more detail in a Word Document. Email your completed .pdf application form, your project description .doc (.txt and .pdf also accepted) and any other relevant information to: grants@promotingmassag.org Email is the preferred application method but if you need to complete the form by hand and mail your application please use our Web site’s contact form to request a mailing address. We will reply to your email with mailing instructions. Please be advised that mailed applications will need to include five copies of your application (including the form). This is so that your application can be forwarded to the Trustees on the Review Board for consideration ahead of their next meeting. 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: a. Reasons for the undertaking. b. Relationship to agriculture practiced in Massachusetts. c. 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 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The Trustees will receive a copy of your application and will review it prior to their next meeting. All current applications will be considered at the Trustees meeting and a decision will be made as to whether a grant will be awarded and the amount to be awarded. Applicants will be contacted via email and informed whether their application has been successful or unsuccessful. If your organization is awarded an M.S.P.A. grant a report on the progress of the project must be submitted to the Trustees within twelve months. Successful applicants are also asked, but not required, to supply any information that might be relevant to the M.S.P.A. web site such as a link to the project web site, a logo, any photographs and a project summary or news update. The Trustees remain committed to serving agriculture and insuring its future in the Commonwealth. In this regard your interest is welcomed!