Why We Chose Grain for Goodness
Dec 28, 2018
It’s no secret that small towns and rural communities throughout the United States are looking for ways to strengthen their economies, provide a better quality of life, and build on their individual local assets. As a Member-Owned Cooperative operating in several small towns and rural communities, we try to assist local growth as much as possible. Although we would like to be able to fulfill every request, we carefully review all requests. There are numerous local non-profits, service and ag education organizations that we can choose to give to, and the process of selecting which organizations to support is a rewarding, yet daunting task. For this reason, we established a program called Grain for Goodness.
Grain for Goodness is a donation program through Full Circle Ag that involves a grower donation plus two matching funds. Here’s how it works:
Any grower that donates up to $250 worth of grain bushels will have their donation matched by Full Circle Ag. In turn, we apply for matching funds through the Land O’Lakes Member Co-Op Match Program where they match dollar for dollar the cash donations of member cooperatives, thus doubling the funds available for local hometown projects and programs. In order to receive matching funds, the organization must be a government organization, school, emergency service, or a 501(c)(3).
Keeping it Local is a Full Circle Ag initiative to support our local communities as much as possible in order to help us all thrive. When giving our charitable dollars, we need to be confident our money is going to a trusted source. When we give locally, we have the confidence of knowing where and how the dollars are being spent. Local non-profits understand and appreciate the values, interests, and needs of the community. They also are responsible for ensuring the community needs are being met.
Another aspect of keeping it local is that we thoroughly enjoy knowing that we are doing something to help improve our communities. Local nonprofits employ members of our communities. By supporting local charities, programs, and organizations, we are contributing to the growth and improvement of the place we call home. By investing in the place that provides so much of our daily lives, we are investing in a better quality of life for ourselves, our employees, and our neighbors.
Choosing to support our local community has lots of positive benefits, which many of you see and experience firsthand. For Full Circle Ag, giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference.
As they say, “When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance.” Well we do the same happy dance when we are able to give a project three times the donation of one grower.
