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The Better Together Grant Program
for Community Improvement

Every year, ROC USA makes funds available for the program – typically $20,000 – that the ROC Association Directors use to make individual grants of up to $2,000. Most years, there are no strict categories, so anything from a building or repair project to rebranding and marketing to improving community engagement is eligible. Any ROC with a current or past technical assistance contract with a ROC USA Network Certified TA Provider is eligible to apply. Recipients of the previous year’s grants are ineligible for the current year’s funding.

Update

Eleven ROCs were awarded $21,634 in Better Together Grant funding in the most recent cycle. The awards, chosen from 40 applications, address community improvement projects including rebranding, Member engagement and development projects. ROC Association Board President Marjory Gilsrud said the 11 applicants were so compelling that the ROC Association Board of Directors could not narrow the list down any further and dipped into the ROC Association’s reserves to fund the 11th applicant.

“Just like every year, it was really tough to make a decision,” Gilsrud said. “All the applicants were deserving of an award, but it came down to these 11 communities and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.”

Projects Eligible for Funding

Community Projects

Projects should meet a compelling community need. Examples include security lighting, safety fencing, a bus shelter, playground, speed bumps or repairs to a community center. The project should benefit your ROC in a visible way.

Rebranding Projects

Rebranding projects present a new image to the Membership and general public that is a basic change in the outgoing message. Examples include: legal name changes, new signage, new letterhead or collateral material, a website redesign or new website.

Member Engagement and Leadership Development Projects

Member Engagement and Leadership Development grants are available to ROCs looking to expand Member engagement and develop new leaders in their community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sample Application Guidelines

N.H. ROC Creates Community Garden and Potting Shed with $2,000 Grant

Friendship Drive Cooperative in Salem, N.H., was purchased by its residents in September 2005. Nearly 80 percent of the people who live in the ethnically diverse and multigenerational co-op live below the poverty level. Friendship Drive was awarded $2,000 in 2023 to create a rolling, raised-bed community garden to make it easier for Members to grow vegetables to share with everyone living in the ROC. The grant money was also awarded to repurpose a small building to be used as a potting shed.

“It was a huge success. We fed so many residents,” said Pam Rothgaber. We made salsa and stuffed peppers and all kinds of healthy things. Everyone pitched in and next year we plan to put in water barrels and more raised beds.”

Grants History

In October 2010, the ROC leaders who attended the Community Leadership Institute in Louisville developed a community grants program idea that would both help fellow ROCs as well as engage new leadership in the co-op. The ROC USA Board of Directors has included funding for the grants in the budget since 2010.

Logo of the ROC Association

Past Grant Recipients