Could You Use a Grant or Scholarship? Good News: We Award Both!

Did you know that the Upton Economic Development Board (UEDB) awards grants and scholarships every year?

Maybe you’re looking for a boost to help your amazing organization run at a next-level standard of operations. Or, you might have a project in mind that will bring joy to our community and improve the quality of life for residents. You may qualify for a UEDB Grant.

Perhaps you’re a student seeking financial aid for college or vocational training. Or a professional seeking certification. You may qualify for a UEDB Scholarship.

And if you think grants and scholarships are impossible to get or that the process is complex, intimidating, and brings on a headache, read on!

We think we’ll be able to change your mind. 

How Do I Apply for an Upton Economic Development Board Grant?

First up, there are three simple questions you can ask yourself before applying for a UEDB grant: 

Question no. 1: When can I apply for a grant? 

Applications are due by 11:59 pm on the deadline date. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are accepted on the next business day, up until 11:59 pm.

So, when’s the next deadline? Right around the corner: November 1st, 2025.

Subsequent deadline dates in 2026 are February 1st, May 1st, August 1st, and November 1st. The grants themselves will be awarded by the 1st of the following month.

Question no. 2. Am I eligible to receive a grant?

We’ve made it easy for you to figure out if your organization qualifies for a grant:

1. Nonprofit organizations that are exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code qualify. Keep in mind that public or governmental agencies may not qualify, so please contact UEDB for further guidance. 
2. No, grants are not made to individuals…. But scholarships are! Keep reading for more info.

In the past, our grant awardees have included:

• Upton Booster Club: Upton After Prom
• Upton Food Bank: Thanksgiving & Christmas Baskets
• Weston Co. Junior Livestock: General Pledge
• Upton Golf Association: Cedar Pines Master Plan Grant

Question no. 3: How much money can I request for a grant? 

Grants are awarded up to $6,000.00 per quarter.

How Do I Fill Out an Application for an Upton Economic Development Board Grant?

You’ve probably heard horror stories about how intimidating it can be to fill out a grant application. A lot of them are intense!

Not so with ours. When you’re filling out the application and putting together the Project Narrative, just keep the following SMART guidelines in mind:

• Specific: Who, what, where, when, and why? What does your organization hope to accomplish with our grant?
• Measurable: How much? How many? What will you see change as a result of implementation? How will you know you have been successful?
• Attainable: Do you have the staff, board, financing, and/or other resources to accomplish your goal?
• Report: Is the expected result realistic, and is there a plan to communicate the result?
• Time-related: Can the goal as described in the proposal be achieved in a 12-month period?

Why Do I Have to Write a Project Narrative?

The project narrative serves two purposes.

1. First, it should explain how the costs were estimated. 
2. Second, it justifies the need for the cost.

A good approach would be to focus on the line items for which you are requesting funding, as well as any unusual line items.

Here’s an example: If all of the funds you are requesting will go toward a consultant, why is the consultant critical to the success of your project? In this scenario, you may want to include some timeline information in the narrative if it is relevant to your project.

What Criteria Does the Upton Economic Development Board Consider When Awarding a Grant?

After submitting your application, the Grant Committee will assess it, keeping the following guideposts in mind:

• Does the project create revenue to help your organization become self-sustainable?
• How does the project benefit or serve the community?
• Who are you serving, and how many are you serving?

Ready to apply for a UEDB Grant? You’re just a click away! 

What Types of Scholarships Does the Upton Economic Development Board Award?

Whether you’re a student or a professional, there are a variety of UEDB scholarships available to help you pursue your academic and career goals.

These include: 

• Academic Scholarships: Available for 4-year degree programs.
• High School Equivalency Certificate: If you didn’t graduate from high school, we can help cover the costs of obtaining an HSEC. 
• Career Development: Intended for individuals pursuing professional certification or professional development classes.
• Registered Apprenticeship: Connects job seekers with employers.
• Trade or Vocational: Applicable to technical/trade schools, master’s programs/graduate schools, or culinary schools.
• Weston County Children’s Center Scholarships: Intended to help build a solid foundation of academic success for Upton’s kiddos. 

In 2025, UEDB donated 10 grants totaling $25,000 in support of the following:

• WSCD #7: Locked into Leadership Conference, Dalton Peterson Basketball Camp, Gold Medal Squared Volleyball Camp, Upton FBLA Nationals, National History Day Conference, and Upton High School Graduate Mailboxes
• Weston County Children’s Center: Upton preschool scholarships 

Click here to read more about each scholarship, the amount awarded, and to access a downloadable application.