Rural communities urged to apply for federal capital grants

Tashi Farmilo

Farm Credit Canada is accepting applications for its 2026 AgriSpirit Fund, a capital grant program aimed at strengthening rural communities across the country. Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi MP Sophie Chatel is urging eligible organizations in her region to take advantage of the opportunity before the May 15 deadline.

The fund is open to registered charities and non-profit organizations in smaller communities, provided they partner with a municipal or Indigenous government. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000, with $1.5 million available in total for this year's cycle.

Eligible projects cover a broad range of community needs, including upgrades to local buildings, equipment to reduce food waste, greenhouses, agriculture and food initiatives, and improvements to accessibility.

The program has been running since 2004 and has backed more than 1,600 projects across rural Canada, distributing $21 million in total over that period.

Chatel, who was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food following her re-election in 2025, pointed to the fund as a practical way to address the infrastructure gaps facing many communities in the riding. She became the first woman elected to represent Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi when she won the seat in 2021.

Applications are open until May 15 at fccagrispiritfund.ca, with successful recipients to be announced in the fall.

"Our rural communities are at the heart of our identity and our economy," Chatel said. "Investing in their infrastructure and local initiatives means investing in a stronger, more sustainable and more inclusive future for everyone."