Grants to Arkansas and Missouri nonprofit organizations to benefit farming communities in the funding source's service area. Focus areas include agriculture, arts and culture, youth, human services, communities, education, and the environment. Eligible applicants serve a documented need in the rice-farming community.
Each year the Riceland Foods Foundation provides a limited amount of funds in the form of grants to improve the quality of life in the farming communities of Riceland’s service area. Grants help support programs related to:
Agriculture – Learning opportunities for farmers and professionals who serve them through seminars and conferences.
Youth – State 4-H and FFA projects, as well as sports programs in farming communities.
Communities – Equipment for rural fire departments, rebuilding community facilities, and community volunteer programs.
Education -- Educational opportunities for youth and adults including literacy and economics programs.
Environment – Encouraging farmers to develop waterfowl habitat on their farms.
Human Services – Contributing rice to feed hungry people through support of two regional food banks—the Arkansas Rice Depot in Little Rock, Ark., and the Bootheel Food Bank in Sikeston, Mo., both of which distribute rice and other food products to food pantries and feeding programs for those in need. The Foundation encourages Riceland employees to support no more than two health-related projects per year.
Arts/Culture – Opportunities in the arts for its farmer-members and employees at its major employment centers in Stuttgart and Jonesboro, Ark.
To be considered for a Riceland Foods Foundation grant, the applicant must:
- Be a publicly supported, private or non-profit organization having tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,
- Serve a documented need in the rice farming community,
- Have a successful record of achievement
Ineligible
Grants will not be awarded to:
- Individuals or families regardless of need or projects to benefit specific individuals,
- Projects or programs where a Riceland Foundation grant cannot make a significant contribution to success,
- Churches, religious or political organizations, programs or projects, and
- Groups conducting contests or pageants, selling meal or raffle tickets or similar fundraising activities.
Pre-Application Information
The Riceland Foundation board of directors meets to consider grant requests annually in the summer. To be considered, completed grant application forms must be received no later than June 1. Requests not meeting the deadline may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Grant applicants will be notified in writing regarding the decision of the Foundation board.
Contact Information
All inquiries and requests for grant application forms and completed forms should be directed to the Foundation administrative assistant at:
Riceland Foods Foundation
Attn: Penni Madsen
P.O. Box 927
Stuttgart, AR 72160
Phone: 870-673-5354
Email: pamadsen@riceland.com
