PCF's 2026 Grant Application - Phase 1
We are accepting applications from July 6th at 9am to July 20th at 7pm PST for Phase 1 of the application process. Due to timeline changes this year, we want to emphasize that there will be no other opportunities to apply for our 2026 Grant Program; this will be the only open call for applications. In 2026, we will distribute four $10,000 grants to eligible applicants: three to new operations and one to a PCF Grant Awardee alumnus.
Out of respect for your time, we have shortened the application for 2026, and we estimate the time commitment is approximately 15 minutes.
PCF’s Phase 1 application review period runs from July 21st to August 13th; semi-finalists will be notified via email in mid-August to continue to the final (Phase 2) application, and a 2026 Grant Awardees post will be made on our
Instagram page in late October 2026.
Before starting the application, we request that you visit this link:
https://pineconefoundation.org/pages/grants-2026 to learn about our Eligibility and Qualifications guidelines, as well as Participation Rules and
FAQ; incomplete applications or those not meeting the requirements will not be considered.
One application per operation should be submitted.
Please note that you will not be able to edit your application once it is submitted, so please take your time and double-check your answers before hitting the Submit button.
Due to the volume of applications and our limited PCF administrative staff, we regret that we will not be able to contact each applicant individually about their grant status.
Finally and most importantly, thank you for taking the time to apply. We look forward to learning about your inspiring operation...
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Please provide a clickable link to your main social media page. Formatting should be as follows:
https://www.instagram.com/pineconefoundation/, not just the handle typed out. The operation must have at least one up-to-date social media profile under the business name or the owner's name that reflects the operation to be eligible. This demonstrates your company’s ability to connect with communities and/or promote sales.
Please provide a clickable link to your website. If you do not have a website, enter NA.
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If your operation is run in a different city than your mailing address, please enter the alternate city here. PCF needs an accurate record of business locations. If this doesn't apply to you, enter NA.
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Operation’s Focus (check all that apply)
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What do you produce, catch, or harvest? Character limit is 300.
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Annual sales must fall between $15,000 and $400,000 to be eligible.
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A friendly reminder of PCF's Three Main Evaluation Criteria:
Goals: These funds are designed to help recipients get closer to achieving their goals in scaling and improving their operations, or developing programs that serve underserved communities in your region. We are looking to help build resilience during these troubling times. A strong project idea will illustrate how the use of these funds will contribute to accomplishing the milestone(s) outlined in the application.
Challenges and Barriers: Priority of selection will be given to applicants who can articulate how these funds will be used to address a particular challenge they are facing in moving their business forward and the results they expect to see with this funding. Robust project ideas will illustrate the cause and effect of what PCF’s grant funding would allow them to do for their operations and communities, as well as how it could help them overcome the challenges they are confronting.
Need: We will prioritize applicants for whom the grant funding will make a significant difference in their financial ability to meet their goals and improve operations. It is for this reason that we request information regarding operating expenses and gross revenue within this application.
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If so, please detail which organizations awarded you a grant, what the grant's name was, and how much funding you were awarded per grant. If not, please enter NO.
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Reminder, we will not fund land purchases, new wells, consultants (i.e., web developer, marketing firm, financial advising or otherwise), administrative overhead, employee wages, or marketing costs. Project proposals should be geared toward a one-year completion period. Your operation must plan to continue the business throughout 2027 and beyond, thus viewing the PCF grant as supplemental, not a lifeline to salvage the operation. We encourage you to present a project idea that will be a game-changer for your operation, operationally, financially, or for the benefit of underserved communities in your region. Character limit is 1,000.
State the total amount you are applying to have covered by the grant. The maximum PCF grant distribution is $10,000.
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We would like to learn more about your background (check all that apply)
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We'd like to know how you learned about our grant program (i.e., I follow PCF's Instagram, AIM Farmers Markets, a non-profit, shared via Instagram, a postcard, etc.)
I certify that I am the authorized representative of the operation to submit this application and that the statements submitted are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that a false statement will disqualify me from the Pine Cone Foundation Grant Program. I also acknowledge that submitting this initial Phase 1 application does not guarantee future funding, and I must be invited by the Pine Cone Foundation to submit the final (Phase 2) application to move forward in the 2026 Application Process.
Please type out your full name that serves as a binding signature with the date of submission below.
