The EARN Demonstration Farm Grant
EARN offers a limited number of grants to organizations to support their restoration agriculture journey. The EARN grant supports two staff members to attend our 10-day Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) course at the EARN East Africa training site in July; a site visit by an EARN trainer to help with installation of an initial demonstration plot; and a seed grant of $3,000 the first year and subsequent growth grants of $5,000 for the next four years.
Organizations that are chosen to participate in the EARN grant opportunity will be asked to send two staff members to the PDC training at the EARN East Africa training site. A travel allowance and the PDC Course Fees will be covered by the grant. Upon completion of the course, the organization will receive a seed grant to implement the permaculture techniques learned on their own land, with design assistance and consulting provided by EARN trainers.
This seed grant can cover implementation needs such as installing key lines, trees, seeds, basic farm equipment, and improved access to water. Money acquired from the seed grant may not be used to purchase new land. Both grantees and grantors will mutually agree upon a specific budget for the seed grant. Grantees will agree to be a part of EARN’s growing network, staying in touch with EARN staff and fellow PDC graduates virtually, and will be responsible for bi-annual picture updates of their permaculture farms and a yearly, basic grant reporting requirements.
In order to be eligible for this grant, organizations must own or have long-term access to a parcel of land suitable for agricultural purposes and a need for improved farming practices within their organization or be able to articulate why they are wanting to include permaculture practices within their organization in another way.
Organizations chosen as grantees that successfully complete the PDC Course and implement a Permaculture project on their land the first year will be eligible for successive growth grants for four more years. Each successive growth grant can be up to $5,000 USD per year, with a maximum grant allowance of $23,000 USD over five years, plus the free PDC training and travel to the EARN East Africa training site for the initial training.
Grant Process & Eligibility
Process:
- This Grant is designed to help support organizations who want to implement restoration agriculture into their programs. EARN will only support organizations with an annual operating budget of $25,000- $500,000 USD.
- Applicants must complete the grant application and submit by March 31st, 2026 at 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time. Finalists will be asked to do a Zoom or WhatsApp interview. All applicants will be informed of their grant status no later than May 1st, 2026. Applicants must be willing to abide by all grant application requirements, including sending two staff members to a summer EARN Permaculture Design Certification course (course dates to be determined).
- The 2026 EARN Demonstration Farm Grant application is now open. The grant application period will be from January 1st, 2026 – March 31st, 2026. Please reach out to info@earnglobal.earth for any questions about the grant or the selection process.
- If you need any assistance with this online application or have any questions, please reach out.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be an East African Organization, operating in: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda or Malawi
- Must be a registered NGO or CBO or Non-profit Entity
- Must have an annual operating budget between $25,000 – $500,000 USD
- Must have a clear passion for community-development and mission to combat poverty and food insecurity
- Must have a designated staff member devoted to agriculture programs within the organization
- Must have the organizational capacity to complete all the required reports within 12 months of the grant disbursement.
- Must have the ability to communicate effectively and often with the EARN team via email or online video conferencing methods.
- Must have the commitment and ability to implement a 5 year grant. The EARN Grant is awarded to no more than 5 organizations per year, making it a highly competitive grant.