Marin Agricultural Land Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $676,725 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000 (Small Grants Program)
• Geographic Focus: Marin County, California only

Contact Details

Website: https://malt.org/
Phone: (415) 663-1158
Small Grants Contact: Scott Dunbar (sdunbar@malt.org, ext. 313)
Address: Point Reyes Station, CA

Overview

Founded in 1980 as the nation's first farmland trust, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) is primarily a land conservation organization that has protected over 58,917 acres of Marin farmland through 93 agricultural conservation easements. While land conservation remains their primary mission, MALT operates targeted grant programs providing direct financial assistance to farmers and ranchers for conservation and resilience projects on working lands. The organization has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator and distributes approximately $676,725 annually in grants. Their grant-making specifically supports individual agricultural operators rather than nonprofit organizations, focusing on projects that preserve agriculture, protect biodiversity, connect community, and build climate resilience.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Grants Program: $5,000 - $50,000 (up to $400,000 per grant cycle, online application with specific windows)
• Stewardship Assistance Program: Up to $20,000 (only for landowners with existing MALT easements, rolling basis)

Priority Areas

• Climate resilience and adaptation on working lands
• Biodiversity protection in agricultural landscapes
• Soil health improvement and water quality protection
• Water infrastructure development (tanks, piping, storage)
• Climate-smart conservation practices
• Invasive species management and native species restoration
• Agricultural utility improvements
• Maintaining existing agricultural production

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside Marin County, California
• Non-agricultural projects
• Nonprofit organizations (grants go directly to individual farmers/ranchers)
• Individuals not engaged in commercial agriculture
• MALT Board members, staff, and their immediate family

Governance and Leadership

MALT was founded by Ellen Straus and Phyllis Faber, along with a coalition of ranchers, environmentalists, and community leaders, establishing the nation's first farmland trust model.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grants Program: Applications submitted online through Grant Interface during specific application windows (typically one week periods). Example: Round 5 applications accepted January 7-13, 2026. Office hours available for applicant support.

Stewardship Assistance Program: Rolling application basis for landowners with existing MALT conservation easements.

Decision Timeline

Timeline from application to decision not publicly specified.

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly available. However, the program has distributed over $4 million through predecessor programs including the Stewardship Assistance Program and Drought Resilience and Water Security initiative.

Reapplication Policy

One grant per applicant per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) for the Small Grants Program.

Application Success Factors

Based on MALT's funding history and priorities:

• Projects demonstrating clear climate resilience benefits have strong alignment with recent grant rounds
• Water infrastructure projects have received significant support (69 water tanks, 14 miles of piping, 250,000 gallons of additional capacity funded)
• Applications must demonstrate commercial agricultural production (food/fiber products for sale)
• Projects should align with specific focus areas announced for each grant round
• Landowner approval or proof of right to manage the land is essential
• Projects combining multiple benefits (biodiversity, soil health, water quality) may be particularly competitive

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• MALT makes grants exclusively to individual farmers and ranchers, not to nonprofit organizations
• Geographic restriction to Marin County, California is absolute - no exceptions
• Small Grants Program is open to ALL commercial agriculturalists in Marin County, not just those with MALT easements
• Application windows are brief (typically one week) - preparation in advance is crucial
• Focus areas rotate by grant round - check current priorities before applying
• Maximum one grant per fiscal year per applicant - strategic timing matters
• Office hours are available for application support - utilize this resource

References

• MALT Official Website: https://malt.org/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• MALT Small Grants Program Page: https://malt.org/small-grants/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• MALT Mission & History: https://malt.org/mission-history/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/942689383 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/942689383 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/marin-agricultural-land-trust,942689383/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/marin-agricultural-land-trust (Accessed February 10, 2026)