Beef Promotion Grants

Are you interested in promoting beef in your community? The Missouri Beef Industry Council is happy to provide funding for local beef promotions, through the county grant program. This opportunity is for organizations, including, but not limited to: Cattlemen’s Associations, county Farm Bureau organizations, 4-H, FFA, FBLA, FACS/FCCLA and more. MBIC will fund up to $500 to a maximum of 35 groups who implement one of the following promotional activities in local communities. Funding will be approved for Fiscal Year 2012, which runs from October 1, 2011- September 30, 2012.

Grant Option #1: Walk/run event (Engage influencers to promote beef’s health benefits)
Objective: Work with coordinators of existing running event, or organize your own run to promote beef’s health benefits

Tactics to incorporate the beef messaging into a walk/run event:

• Include “Beef. Fuel of the Finish” logo on all marketing materials
  • Race advertisements, flyers, registration pages, race website, Facebook event
  • Race shirts
  • Download this logo at www.mobeef.org
• Beef race signs & race kit (can be reserved from MBIC)
  • Signs include directional markers, mile markers, along with signs marking the start & finish line. Each sign includes beef trivia and educational beef messaging
  • Race kit includes essential tools (i.e. stopwatches, sidewalk chalk, etc)
• Include beef nutrition info/recipes in race packet pre/post race
• Serve lean beef post race. Ideas range from a snack stick to a grilled meal:
  • Provide beef sticks (.75/ea) to each runner post race
  • Serve full meal, using one of the 29 lean cuts (breakfast & lunch menu ideas, recipes available from MBIC)

Grant Option #2: Retail/foodservice partnership (Strengthen relationships with mealtime decision makers)
Objective: Partner with local retail or foodservice location, to increase beef sales through promotion and advertising efforts

Tactics to promote beef in retail and foodservice locations:

• Retail
  • In-store display materials (MBIC will provide, local grant organizers will distribute to stores)
  • Cooking class at retail location featuring beef recipes
  • Advertising support
• Foodservice
  • Wait-staff incentive program (reward staff for selling beef products, encourages suggestive-selling of beef menu items)
  • Advertising support
• Advertising component
  • Print ads in local papers, beef feature in weekly grocery circular, radio air time, trivia contests managed by local radio
  • MBIC can provide prizes (to be included in the $500 maximum of grant) including:
    • Vouchers for beef purchases
    • Beef-related giveaways (grill sets, cookbooks, etc)

Grant Option #3: Youth education outreach (Enhance beef’s image among Missouri youth)
Objective: Provide educational programs on beef-related topics to local youth, through various activities

Tactics to engage with youth audiences:

• Select a target age group
  • Pre-K through 12th grade students
• Local volunteers will coordinate educational efforts could include:
  • Classroom presentations, field days/farm visits, etc
  • Outreach & support for educators, providing materials for their classrooms
• Make use of materials available through MBIC
  • Classroom curriculum and presentations for pre-K through 12th grade
  • Youth handouts, posters, and other classroom resources

Click here to fill out your application! 

These grants are not for paid media. Paid media, please submit your proposals here.