Best Food Grants for Nonprofits in Arkansas

Arkansas 501(c)(3) organizations addressing food access and hunger, education, or community servants can access funding through Casey's General Stores if they operate in a Casey’s community. Support may include donations for programs or events; requests are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with email feedback typically within one month.

Arkansas 501(c)(3) public charities and similar entities seeking to expand access to locally grown foods can apply for Arkansas Community Foundation’s Access to Local Foods Grants, offering up to US $15,000. Arkansas-based or Arkansas-serving programs that support specialty crop farmers, strengthen local food ecosystems, or connect growers to markets may be eligible.

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation

The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation goes beyond food aid to create lasting change. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships and volunteer action, Stop Hunger tackles the root causes of food insecurity.

In 2025, Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and the Hunger Center awarded grants to 131 programs representing 118 communities in 37 states plus the District of Columbia. Collectively, these programs provided an estimated 22,000 backpacks full of shelf-stable food items for students to take home for the weekend or holidays when school meals are not served.

Since 2006, the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has been a driving force behind weekend and holiday hunger relief for students across the U.S. Through support of food backpack programs, the Foundation partners with local food banks and schools to discreetly provide K-12 students with backpacks filled with nutritious, shelf-stable meals. These backpacks are distributed in safe, familiar settings – typically on the last school day before a weekend or school break – ensuring that all children who rely on free or reduced-price school meals don’t go hungry when school is out.

K-12 Backpack Grant

The K-12 Backpack Grant is an initiative launched by the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and administered in partnership with the Congressional Hunger Center to support community backpack programs. Grants of $1,000 will be issued to community organizations with established backpack feeding programs that provide students with shelf-stable, nutritious meals when school is out of session.

The Social Impact Fund - Nationwide Grant supports innovative solutions addressing health care access, food security, and economic empowerment. Funded by the American Heart Association, this grant prioritizes community-led projects from organizations with under $10M in revenue. Eligible entities include both for-profit and nonprofit organizations based in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Grants can provide up to $250,000 to initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact, fostering sustainable change in health and wellness.

The No Kid Hungry Grant, provided by Share Our Strength, aims to support schools and community groups in ensuring children have access to nutritious meals. Grants are allocated for essential equipment rather than food, addressing the unique needs of programs serving children. With a focus on reducing financial barriers, the initiative prioritizes funding for the School Breakfast Program and summer meals, ultimately striving for equitable access to resources that help combat childhood hunger and promote community engagement.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and other charitable organizations in Arkansas working on food access and hunger can seek support for programs that combat hunger and promote nutritional wellness. Grants from Journey for Good Foundation help North American organizations provide food-related initiatives, education and training, workforce development, and services for veterans and their families facing poverty.

Nonprofit organizations focused on food access, hunger, or environmental stewardship in communities near Whole Foods Market stores, including Arkansas, can seek biannual program support. With a mission to nourish people and the planet, Whole Foods Market provides funding to verified 501(c)(3) and other eligible charities through its Community Engagement Portal.

Food retailers and food enterprises in Arkansas seeking to expand healthy food access can apply for grants of US $20,000 - US $250,000 to support planning or implementation projects. Grants from Reinvestment Fund, through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative FARE Fund, also offer technical assistance for early-stage planning, predevelopment, and business support costs in underserved, low-income communities.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible public agencies in Arkansas communities served by Sparklight can seek funding for projects addressing food insecurity, education, digital literacy, and community development. Sparklight provides support for special projects, capacity-building initiatives, and capital campaigns that strengthen local families and neighborhoods, rather than routine operating expenses or fundraising events.

Food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters that are registered nonprofits and run community food or shelter programs can use this grant for direct food and housing support. Focused on food access and hunger, UNICO Foundation invites organizations domiciled in select states, including those serving low-income and vulnerable populations, to apply.

Nonprofits, public schools, tribes, and eligible government entities advancing food access and nutrition for children can seek up to US $100,000 from Newmans Own Foundation, including work in Arkansas. Grants support Indigenous food justice and nutrition education or school food programs in the U.S. and territories, with added learning cohort opportunities.

Nonprofit organizations addressing food access and hunger, cancer burden, or crisis response in Arkansas can apply for McKesson Foundation grants up to US $25,000. McKesson Foundation supports programs across the U.S. and Canada that improve health equity through nutrition assistance, preventative healthcare, disaster relief, and preparing a diverse, culturally competent healthcare workforce.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Arkansas with audited expenses over $2 million can seek more than US $100,000 to support direct-service programs addressing food access and hunger, poverty, and related social needs. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation provides program, capital, and general support for scalable efforts that promote economic independence and strengthen families across the U.S.

Nonprofit organizations in Arkansas providing food access, hunger relief, or nutrition education can apply for Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation’s Fighting Hunger Grants, with awards up to US $10,000 per program. Funding supports direct food assistance, food distribution, food rescue, and nutrition education efforts serving children, families, seniors, and other community members.

Arkansas food access and hunger nonprofits can access funding through Labcorp Charitable Foundation to support food pantries, meal programs, and related community services. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, or those with charitable equivalency, may be eligible if their projects address health and welfare, education, or community needs, including programs for underserved populations and STEM or healthy lifestyle initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing food access and hunger in Arkansas can apply for grants supporting education, food security, and related outreach. Grants from Seaboard Foundation help eligible groups in Craighead and Franklin Counties strengthen local food systems and may also benefit programs that integrate animal welfare or educational components.

Arkansas nonprofits and public entities working on food access and hunger can access funding through American Electric Power Foundation to provide basic human services like hunger relief and housing stability. Eligible 501(c)(3) charities, government entities, and qualifying foundations in AEP’s service territory may also receive support for STEM education, social justice, environment, healthcare, safety, and cultural programs.

Arkansas food access and hunger nonprofits can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for programs improving quality of life for underserved individuals and families. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations near O'Reilly Auto Parts locations may request project, general operating, or capital support related to food insecurity, poverty, economic stability, and related community services.

Nonprofit and mission-driven food retailers and enterprises improving healthy food access can seek US $200,000 - US $3,000,000 to expand or launch projects in underserved areas, including Arkansas. The Reinvestment Fund’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative supports food access and hunger efforts, supply chain resiliency, quality job creation, and low-income community revitalization through financial and technical assistance.

Nonprofits and other organizations with active .ORG domains working on food access, hunger, health, education, equity, or community initiatives in Arkansas and worldwide can apply for the .ORG Impact Awards. Finalists and winners receive recognition, visibility, and up to US $50,000 directed as a donation to a nonprofit of their choice.

Arkansas nonprofits working on food access, hunger, or related sustainability initiatives can access funding through Oak Foundation for projects that make communities safer, fairer, and more sustainable. Eligible not-for-profit organizations worldwide may request US $25,000 - US $10,000,000 in multi-year or project support, starting with an unsolicited letter of enquiry when priorities align.

Arkansas school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program and running self-operated food service programs can receive support to shift from processed meals to scratch cooking. Whole Kids Foundation and Chef Ann Foundation provide multi-year training, assessments, strategic planning, and a Technical/Equipment Assistance Grant valued at up to US $250,000 per district, benefiting food access and hunger efforts.

Brookshire Grocery Company is committed to enhancing community well-being through substantial corporate support. Annually, they contribute over one million dollars to various sectors including education, hunger relief, and family support, ensuring a positive impact in their market areas. Their initiatives include scholarships, food drives, and partnerships with local organizations. By focusing on nonprofits and community-oriented programs, they strive to uplift families, honor veterans, and foster educational opportunities, reinforcing their dedication to giving back.

Request for Proposals: Launchpad Funds

Background

Coefficient Giving is increasing its giving, primarily to prepare for the billions of dollars in new philanthropic capital that may become available in the coming years. Our increased giving in global health and wellbeing is a temporary surge, with two objectives: to smooth funding and pull forward initiatives we expect to be cost-effective, and to help create an ecosystem of regrantors and implementers with the capacity to allocate this new money as cost-effectively as possible. Additional context on our scaling is provided in this blog post. 

With new potential capital on the way, we want to increase the supply of actionable and fundable plans to address some of the world’s hardest problems. We’re looking for specific, credible strategies to convert funding into measurable progress. Our ideal funds are:

However, we are also open to funds that are thematic and don’t have a quantified goal — for example, a fund organized around a promising type of intervention. Such funds still need to be led by a single, identifiable person who is accountable for the fund’s direction.

Through this request for EOIs, we aim to seed or scale Launchpad Funds that can grow to $100m+ over the next few years. We don’t seek scale for its own sake; it is a proxy for the ambition of the fund, and a signal that the problem is large and tractable enough to justify deploying significantly more capital over time.

What we will fund

• We expect to support established ideas that have either not yet secured anchor support or could significantly scale beyond their existing level of funding.
• This funding can cover operating expenses, but we expect most of it to be used for activities that make progress on the fund’s goals — whether through regranting or direct implementation.
• For exceptional proposals, we may consider funding levels beyond $50m. We anticipate higher funding levels will involve more thought partnership from our team.
• While we don’t expect to make grants longer than 36 months, funded proposals may later be considered for additional funding beyond the initial period.

Disabled Veterans National Foundation

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) was established in 2007 to support veterans facing challenges that traditional systems could not fully address. From its earliest days, DVNF has been focused on closing critical gaps in care and providing resources that help veterans rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.

Guided by this commitment, DVNF developed its Health & Comfort programs, offering emergency financial assistance, housing transition support, food assistance, comfort kits, and wellness initiatives. These programs are designed to meet veterans where they are and to provide practical solutions that restore hope and stability. Today, DVNF continues to grow as a trusted national nonprofit. Every day, our team works with a clear purpose: to change lives for the men and women who have served our country.

Veterans Food Assistance Program

It is our goal to ensure that no veteran goes hungry by providing essential food assistance and household support, fostering stability and well-being in the lives of our veterans and their families.

The Veterans Food Assistance Program (VFAP) is designed to provide a one-time grant of essential food and household support to veterans and their families, ensuring no veteran goes hungry. With the rising cost of living, especially food prices due to inflation, this program offers a much-needed lifeline to those who have served our country. Once approved, the DVNF program team will handle the shopping for you.

The Veterans Food Assistance Program provides a one-time grant per household to support different family sizes, given the rising cost of food:

• Married Veterans Grant Allowance
  • Married - No Children up to $250
  • Married - 1 Child up to $300
  • Married - 2 Children up to $450
  • Married - 3+ Children up to $500
• Single Veterans Grant Allowance
  • Single - No Children up to $200
  • Single - 1 Child up to $300
  • Single - 2 Children up to $350
  • Single - 3+ Children up to $450

Better Food Policy Fund 

Since its inception, the Better Food Policy Fund has set its strategic direction in a participatory fashion. We are intentionally building capacity for engagement to ensure the Fund aligns with the needs of food policy council stakeholders.   

Thus far, the Fund has engaged 300+ food policy council stakeholders to help co-develop the Fund. We are immensely grateful for the individuals who helped shape the initial direction of this fund. We view this growing stakeholder audience as the people to whom the Fund’s governing body, the Independent Advisory Committee, is ultimately accountable.

Grantmaking

The Better Food Policy Fund invests in US-based food policy councils, empowering community and government collaboration for progressive food policy. We utilize participatory processes to enhance equity and redistribute power in the funding landscape. We seek to celebrate and uplift the work of food policy councils, and believe every food policy council is worthy of financial support.

We define “food policy councils” as councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, or regional level.  

We support actions aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for policy change, such as: 

• increasing levels of inclusive and equitable stakeholder engagement in public processes
• engaging systems thinking when tackling complex food system challenges
• facilitating collaboration with and across local government agencies and departments 
• developing or revising local policies and plans  

We define “better food policy” as practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems.

We define “civic collaboration” as people joining together at the intersection of community and government to address public issues.

About Lions Club International FoundationLions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) provides grants that empower the service of our members. Since its inception in 1968, LCIF has awarded more than US$1.3 billion in grant funding.  Mission :Our mission is to empower Lions clubs, volunteers and partners to improve health and wellbeing, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian service and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding. And we fulfill it every day, everywhere we serve.Lions Club International Hunger Grant ProgramHunger Grants focus on strengthening infrastructure and providing essential equipment for Lions’ hunger-relief efforts. These grants empower Lions to support vital initiatives such as school feeding programs, food banks and feeding centers, ensuring that those in need receive the nourishment they require. These grants support infrastructure and equipment acquisition for Lions’ projects focused on alleviating hunger.Grant Examples: 

• Construction or expansion of food banks, feeding centers and food storage facilities.
• Purchase of refrigerators and freezers to store perishable food items.
• Vehicles to transport, collect and deliver food.