Volume 2 | Issue 23
December 19, 2025
A publication of the National Grange
Strengthening Communities, One Grant at a Time Highlights from the National Grange’s 2025 Rural Life Initiative Summer Grant Cycle by Philip J Vonada
National Grange Communications Director
Across the country, Granges continue meeting local needs with creativity, dedication, and deep community roots. Following a successful pilot in 2024, the National Grange launched efforts to provide direct support to local Granges for a wide variety of projects. (Read more about the Rural Life Initiative: http://www.nationalgrange. org/rural-life-initiative-program.) The National Grange’s 2025 Rural Life Initiative (RLI) Summer Grant cycle reinforced that reality, awarding $1,000 grants to 30 Community Granges nationwide to support projects centered on food security, community and personal resilience, and self-sustainability, connected to Project Sustenance. Two additional $5,000 grants were distributed and will wrap up and report soon. While each of the funded projects made a meaningful local impact, several Granges stood out for the scope of their work, the partnerships they built, and the lasting momentum they created. In Oregon, Little Deschutes Grange continued on page 3 #939 (La Pine Grange) demonstrated
In This Issue Strengthening Communities, One Grant at a Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 “What does the Grange mean to you?” ............................1 “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” : A Share Your Project’s Story submission ............................2 View from the Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Save the Date: Strategies to Strengthen Our Communities webinar series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Join the Grange Foundation’s Common Routes Challenge . . . . . . . 7 Webinar: What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Could Mean for You . . . . . . 7 Hamp Watch: Where is our National Grange President? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Recipes from the Heartland . . . . . . . . 10 Doctors’ Tips to Stay Healthy and Safe This Holiday Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Member Benefit: MemberDeals . . . . 12 Thank You for Supporting the Grange Store! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
“What does the Grange mean to you?” As the National Grange continues to shape the organization we are today—and the one we aspire to be tomorrow—we want to hear directly from our members across the country. Whether you joined last week or have been part of our community for generations, your voice matters. We invite you to answer one simple but meaningful question: “What does the Grange mean to you?”
Please visit our VideoAsk link to share your perspective — ideally through a quick video recorded on your phone. The form includes just two brief questions, and each response should be 60 seconds or less. Share your insight and help guide the future of our organization by visiting https://grange.biz/videoask. Your story helps shape our story. All responses must be received by December 31.
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