Fair Trade Towns USA Small Grants Program

Courtney Lang July 20, 2012

As October, the month of Fair Trade, is slowly approaching, we want to remind our campaign organizers to take advantage of the Fair Trade Towns USA Small Grants Program to plan and fund Fair Trade events in their communities. Providing organizers with much needed resources for building capacity, diversifying their outreach, and ensuring the long-term health and viability of their campaigns, grant funds may be used to support campaign administration costs, or to put on community-building and fundraising events.

What kind of investment is Fair Trade Towns USA looking for in the grant program?

Get new campaigns off the ground
Expand representation of campaign
Assist with large scale events
Provide a starting point for long-term financial sustainability

Who is eligible?

All campaigns are welcome to apply. You do not need to be a 501(c)3, however you do need a fiscal sponsor. Be clear on the organizations policy for excepting grants before the financial pass through, they may charge a percentage. Choose a local, small organization to avoid this and be clear on your terms of agreement.

What amounts are the grants available in?

$500 – New and working campaigns to build capacity through print materials, product demonstrations, and fundraising activities
$1000 – Capacity expansion through paid internship focus on building deeper connections, event hosting/sponsorship, web site and campaign development, and fundraising events
$5000 – Established campaigns to build significant internal capacity through paid staff or internships, establishing campaign as legal entity, city-wide or regional fund raising events, research & grant applications

What do I have to do to apply?

Check out the Fair Trade Towns Small Grants Program Guidelines & Fair Trade Towns USA Small Grants FAQ
Create a proposal that outlines how these resources will lead to stronger outreach, diversification, and larger fund-raising efforts (Note: these are challenge grants, meaning provided funding will be leveraged to match the amount granted in the 12 months following the receipt)
Download Fair Trade Towns USA Small Grants Budget Template
Contact Billy Linstead Goldsmith or Courtney Lang for creative assistance, guidance, examples, etc.
Fair Trade Towns USA reviews application

To learn more about how to utilize the Small Grants Program effectively and efficiently, please tune in to next month’s webinar as lead organizers discuss how they have used the grants to plan for Fair Trade month.

Next Webinar:
Fair Trade Month Event Planning
Wednesday, August 15
5pm PST/8pm EST

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Courtney Lang, National Organizer | Fair Trade Campaigns

Courtney Lang brings over 5 years of community organizing to Fair Trade Towns USA, building both the Local Food and Fair Trade networks in Vermont. As Local Food Coordinator with City Market/Onion River Cooperative, Courtney worked with local producers, institutions and consumers to grow the local food system and organize a strategic model for community engagement through farm tours, workshops, and local food challenges. Like many in the Fair Trade industry, Courtney was inspired to take action in Fair Trade when she witnessed child-labor first hand in Costa Rica. As a founding member of Fair Trade Burlington, she has worked with economic development organizations, businesses, and consumers to build awareness of Fair Trade among Vermonters. She also worked with a Fair Trade USA licensee, Vermont Coffee Company, as Friend Ambassador where she united the story of Fair Trade to every purchase of coffee.

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