Who is eligible to apply for Rural Outreach grants?

Applications can only be submitted by a state or local REALTOR® association.

What are the maximum funding amounts?

There are two grant levels.  Requests may be made up to the  maximum amount. Amount approved depends on whether all of the grant criteria was met.

• Level 1 – $3,000 maximum.
• Level 2 – $7,500 maximum

How many Rural Outreach grants can my association receive in a calendar year?

An association can receive one grant in each level per year.

What Types of Events/Activities can the Level 1 Fund

The grant can support hosting an education course, such as a well and septic class, a guest speaker to address a specific rural related issue or stakeholder meeting.

What Types of Activities/Initiatives can the Level 2 Fund

The grant can fund efforts, such as conferences, forums, research, studies and ordinance drafting,  to advocate and engage in rural outreach issues with other stakeholders and elected officials.

What activities are NOT eligible for grant funds:

• REALTOR® association staff time/hours
• General operating expenses
• Materials for construction/rehab of a property or purchase of land
• Fundraising contributions
• Registration fees for REALTOR® education or other events
• Landscaping materials or equipment
• Donations, cash prizes or purchase of gifts and prizes
• Projects that benefit a single property owner
• Subscription fees for videoconferencing services
• Sponsorship of a conference unless substantially engaged (see above)
• Events that have already taken place or for activities completed prior to submission of application.

Is my association required to make a financial contribution toward our activity in order to qualify for a grant?

As part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now, the 10% financial contribution requirement is waived from January 3rd to December 31st, 2023.

What are the grant deadlines for submission?

October 16 2023.

We are partnering with another REALTOR® association for an activity. Can we both apply for a grant?

Multiple associations can apply for funding for the same activity. However, the combined funding request cannot exceed the maximum award for the grant level.

What criteria is used to evaluate the grant applications?

The proposed activity needs to address rural issues such broadband, well and septic, rural zoning and open space preservation.

Do we need to submit an evaluation form?

The association must submit the evaluation form after completion of the activity.  Reimbursement will not be made until the Evaluation Form is submitted.

What is the process to be disbursement of funds?

The request for reimbursement must be made within 1 year from when the application was approved.

Funds will not be distributed until an  evaluation form is submitted.

Funds will be distributed as follows:

• Request reimbursement via ruraloutreachgrants@nar.realtor
  • Submit the Rural Outreach Reimbursement Request Form
  • Submit the Rural Outreach Evaluation Form
  • Submit the ACH form with your reimbursement request. Reimbursements will be made via electronic transfer.
    • If electronic transfer is not possible, you can request a check.  Reimbursements can only be made payable to your association or board. Please provide the name and address of your Association when submitting the reimbursement request.
  • Submit proof of how funds were spent.
    • Acceptable forms of proof include an invoice, signed contract, receipts and cancelled checks (both sides).

Can we apply for a grant outside of our territorial jurisdiction?

NAR adopted a policy that state and local REALTOR® Associations may only use advocacy resources provided by the REALTOR® Party for advocacy activity within their territorial jurisdiction as defined by NAR unless use outside the association’s territorial jurisdiction is permitted by a written agreement among or policy applicable to all affected local and state association(s) regarding such use of advocacy resources, or the association in whose jurisdiction such advocacy will occur or NAR approves. The policy allows for an association to request REALTOR® Party funds for use outside of its territorial jurisdiction, and if the association in whose jurisdiction such activity will take place objects, the funds may be provided subject to review and approval by the appropriate NAR committee(s) overseeing REALTOR® Party activities.