Grant deadlines approahing; June 30 is last day to appply for RC&D grant

HAMILTON — The Marion County Extension Service would like to remind those seeking Northwest Alabama Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) grants that the deadline is Monday, June 30.
Extension partnered with Northwest RC&D to host its third annual grant workshop in April to assist applicants with the process and are sharing this reminder so schools, municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations can apply for funding for worthy projects.
RC&D awards nearly $100,000 annually throughout Marion County and encourages applications for its wide range of available funding opportunities.
Grant amount requests can range from $5,000 up to $25,000.
There are two categories for the types of projects funded; either Education Fund Projects, which have an educational component, or General Fund Projects, which are projects without an educational component.
“We award grant funding opportunities to non-profit organizations and units and sub-units of government for special projects that enhance our human and natural resources to improve the quality of life for local Alabama citizens,” said RC&D officials.
If you have not already begun the process, there is still time. If you have started your grant application, now is the time to complete it. You can visit alabamarcd.org for more information and to enter the grantee portal.

Grant workshop review
Regarding the grant workshop, which also featured several different kinds of grants, Marion/Walker County SNAP-Ed Extension Agent Ginger Eatman noted there were 38 attendees from municipalities, 501(c)3 organizations and schools.
She noted Marion County Extension Director Carla Lewis welcomed attendees with a brief overview of Extension and its programs.
Next, Heidi Ramey, senior communications specialist with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama’s The Caring Foundation and Community Relations, talked about the success of BCBS Grants, their grant process and the new re-structure.