Carla Warnyca, FCC's Manager of Community investment says under the program FCC awards rural community groups and non profit organizations between $5,000 and $25,000 in funding for various community improvement initiatives.

"Some examples of things we've funded in the past - things like equipment for food banks, refrigeration equipment and that sort of thing. We've supported construction and renovation projects for community buildings. We've also done things that are agriculture and food related initiatives in rural communities. Things like community gardens or maybe a van to transport food to rural centers."

She notes applicants must be registered charities and non-profit organization in rural Canada in cities, towns or Indigenous communities of 150,000 people or less.

The application deadline is April 29, 2022 with the selected projects being announced in September.

She notes a total of $1.5 million dollars will be awarded to qualifying projects across the country.

Rural community groups can view the eligibility requirements, past projects and apply online by visiting www.fccagrispiritfund.ca.

Since the program began in 2004 the FCC AgriSpirit Fund has handed out $18 million dollars in donations to support over 1400 capital projects in rural Canada.