How to Participate
Why Participate?
Most local agriculture organizations are sustained by donations from local businesses, families, and individuals. Events and other fundraising efforts can be time-consuming for volunteer-led nonprofits and local donors have limited resources to support so many worthy organizations.
The Big Harvest aims to make a dollar worth more than a dollar, helping nonprofits earn more money to achieve their good work and providing donors the opportunity to leverage their generosity for a higher return.
Participation is easy - no car washes or tri-tip dinners! Simply reach out to your donors through letters, personal contact, or social media, and direct them on how to make a donation to your organization through The Big Harvest online or by mail (see more details here).
Once The Big Harvest drive ends, your organization will receive a check totaling all the donations your organization received and your share of the matching funds. The Big Harvest handles all the donor tracking and administration, focusing your time and energy on promoting and educating our community on agriculture!
Who's Eligible?
The Big Harvest is open to all agriculture focused groups and organizations in Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties. Examples of programs that may benefit from the Big Harvest include:
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4-H and FFA programs
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Scholarship funds with an ag focus
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School educational garden projects
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Fairgrounds
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Fair animal buyer groups
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Community events (ie: Farm City Celebration)
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UC Cooperative Extension Programs
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Agricultural museums
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Participants do not have to fall under the categories above, however the funding must go toward an agricultural education purpose.
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Agriculture groups must fill out an online application and sign the participant agreement to be eligible to participate in The Big Harvest. Applications are subject to approval by the Butte Agriculture Foundation.
How to Sign Up?
Agriculture groups must fill out an application and sign the participant agreement to be eligible to participate in The Big Harvest. Applications will be accepted between July 10 and October 15. The application and participant agreement are available here and all applications are subject to approval by the Butte Agriculture Foundation.
No late applications will be accepted.
What is the Participant Responsibility?
Participants are required to conduct all their own fundraising under the banner of The Big Harvest. Participants are encouraged to send letters and make in person asks of local businesses and individuals.
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Donations will be made online through The Big Harvest website or by mail to The Big Harvest. Once The Big Harvest drive ends, your organization will receive a check totaling all the donations your organization received and your share of the matching funds.
All organizations will receive a summary of their donors and the amount each donor donated. Participants will be required to send thank you letters to the donors as well.
The Big Harvest Logo is required on all fundraising materials including letters, brochures, and social media posts, among other efforts. For an example of how to use the logo on fundraising materials, please click here.
