September 1 Deadline for Bowers Fund Food Co-op Grant Application

CCMA 2016 Raises $10,000 for the Howard Bowers Fund
By Ellen Quinn

Check out the video to see the impact of the Howard Bowers Fund: https://youtu.be/WpROqCg4d9c

The Howard Bowers Fund is offering grants to support leadership training and education for the staff and boards of food cooperatives. Applications are due on September 1, 2016.

How to Apply

Grant Guidelines and General Information

Guidelines 1 through 3 should be used to determine if your organization or project is eligible for funding.

1. The Cooperative Development Foundation sparks economic development through the cooperative model.  Cooperatives, cooperative development organizations, cooperative-related groups, groups forming a cooperative, and members, staff, and board members of cooperatives may apply.

2. Grants will not fund general operating expenses, endowments, capital improvements, tuition, or salaries and benefits of applicant organization staff.

3. Applications and supporting materials will be reviewed by the Fund's advisory board and the CDF board if the amount applied for is over $1,000.  All applicants will be notified as to the status of their applications.

4. Grant recipients must report on the use and results of the project funded.

5. Applicants may re-apply to the Fund on condition that CDF has received a final or interim report on all previous grants the applicant has received.

6. CDF must receive credit in notices, articles, websites, etc.

2016 CCMA Donations: The Silent Auction and Apple Watch drawing at CCMA in Amherst, MA raised $10,000 to support scholarships and training for the staff and boards of food cooperatives.  Over 135 items from 54 organizations were donated to the silent auction this year.  The Bower's Family generously donated the Apple watch used in the drawing.  Twenty seven people received scholarships to attend the 2016 CCMA from the Bowers Fund. 

From the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF), which manages the Howard Bowers Fund

Follow the fund on Facebook

Photo: CDS Consulting Co-op consultant Michael McCary