Grants for Food Pantries

What does this program do?

This program provides funding to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural communities with extreme unemployment and severe economic depression.

An essential community facility is one that provides an essential service to the local community, is needed for the orderly development of the community, serves a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

How may funds be used?

To construct, enlarge or improve community facilities for health care, public safety and public service. Grants may be made in combination with other financial assistance such as a Community Facilities direct or guaranteed loan, applicant contribution or funding from other sources. Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Health Care: hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities
• Public Facilities: city/town/village halls, courthouses, airport hangers, street improvements
• Community Support Services: child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds, transitional housing
• Public Safety: fire halls, police stations, prisons, jails, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles and equipment
• Educational: museums, libraries, private schools
• Utility: telemedicine, distance learning
• Local Food Systems: community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs, greenhouses, kitchen appliances
• For a complete list, see Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3570.7

What kind of funding is available?

• Grants up to 75% of eligible project cost based on need and funding availability
• Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is determined by the population and median household income of the service area
• Grant funds must be available

NOTE: The Community Fund application has two parts. Part one determines basic eligibility, and part two requests additional information on your organization and community. Upon submission of the part one application, the Honnold Foundation is committed to providing you with a response within one month. Eligible applicants will be invited to complete the second part of the application. Competitive applicants should anticipate some discussion and additional materials requests from the HF team during this review period.

Awards will be announced on a rolling basis. From Basic Eligibility submission to award announcement, successful applicants should expect a three-month turnaround.

Community Fund

Supporting solar energy for nonprofits with BIPOC leadership in the most polluted regions in the United States.

The Honnold Foundation promotes solar energy for a more equitable world. We believe that solar energy access improves lives and reduces environmental impact, and we’re proud to fund organizations all over the world who are making their communities a brighter place.

The Honnold Foundation’s Community Fund supports solar PV installations for community-based nonprofits with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leadership in the most polluted places in the United States. By supporting solar for a wide range of nonprofits whose work addresses local needs, the Community Fund reduces carbon footprints and lowers power bills, allowing organizations to spend more of their budget on the essential services they provide to their communities.

Community Fund grant recipients will receive funding for the installation of a solar PV system on or near their building. While the Honnold Foundation is not a solar installer, our partner Amicus Solar Cooperative will be supporting grantees through the installation process via their nationwide membership of values-driven solar companies.

Regions include the cities listed and their surrounding suburbs and townships. Please use your best judgment when determining if your organization falls within a region. 

• Houston, Texas
• Chicago, Illinois
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Shreveport - Bossier City, Louisiana
• Detroit, Michigan
• Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Washington, D.C
• Baltimore, Maryland
• New York City, New York
• Newark, New Jersey

What If my city isn't in an eligible area?

The Honnold Foundation understands that pollution and environmental injustice transcend borders. Therefore, we welcome applications from BIPOC-led organizations located in areas not listed above, whose communities’ health is being negatively impacted by pollution. If you believe this to be true for your organization, please complete the application along with a short explanation of eligibility. We welcome applications from organizations based in U.S. states and territories.

Rooted in Evidence Grants

The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition (GSCN) is pleased to release the Request for Proposals (RFP) for its third round of the Rooted in Evidence Food Bank Evaluation and Grant Program (herein referred to as “Rooted in Evidence”). Rooted in Evidence is an opportunity for selected food banks and their partners to enhance measurement and evaluation related to their programming. In addition, this program will provide funding for innovative and dynamic programming to improve the health and dietary quality of emergency food recipients. A highlight of this opportunity is to work in partnership with GSCN to conduct a robust evaluation of the grant activities in order to better understand the impact of funded projects and to create meaningful communication pieces. The overarching goal of this RFP is to strengthen the skills and competency of funded organizations to effectively evaluate the impact of their programming and share findings with their communities.

The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition (GSCN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Omaha, Nebraska, established in 1973 with a focus on research and evaluation related to healthy eating and active living, improving food security and healthy food access, promoting local food systems and applying a health equity lens across all initiatives. GSCN specializes in both process and outcome evaluation, including the development and implementation of quantitative (e.g., survey) and qualitative (e.g., interview, focus groups) approaches, measurement development, and statistical analysis. GSCN works collaboratively with partners to design feasible, yet rigorous, study designs, along with developing complementary high-quality reports and other communication deliverables. Through Rooted in Evidence, grantee food banks can expect to work collaboratively to design and implement a high-quality project and accompanying evaluation that will yield meaningful data and information to share with partners and leverage future funding.

What We Aim to Fund

Since the focus of Rooted in Evidence is to enhance evaluation and dissemination capacity, we anticipate that food banks will allocate dedicated staff time for communication and collaboration with GSCN through virtual trainings and technical assistance, data collection and management activities, and reporting. It is highly recommended that food bank applicants partner with a local researcher/evaluator/graduate student to assist in the development of their evaluation plans and to help with data collection efforts if their internal staff has limited experience with evaluation.

GSCN intends to fund innovative and dynamic programming and/or initiatives that seek to improve dietary quality among food pantry and food bank clients. Applicants should consider basing their proposal around evaluation efforts of a program that is either novel (i.e., not commonly done by food banks) or has an innovative twist. For example, while many food banks have BackPack programs, an innovative change to this program could be working with a new partner or taking a novel approach to delivery, such as working with a local Head Start to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to participants. Additionally, these approaches could include existing or new/adapted programming that may include various:

• Settings and distribution sites (e.g., home delivery models, mobile or other “pop-up” pantries, college campuses, schools, child care settings, traditional pantries, clinics, including FQHCs).
• Components or levels of the emergency food system (e.g., distribution, procurement, food environment, client interactions to target knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors to promote healthy eating).
• Target populations (e.g., children, adults, families, seniors, ethnic/racial minorities, new American/immigrant populations, college students, staff/volunteers, cancer survivors or other disease conditions, urban/rural).

NOTE: A Letter of Inquiry must first be submitted via the Online Grant Application System between November 1st and February 1st of the year in which a grant is requested. If the proposal meets the stated guidelines and priorities of the Foundation & Memorial Trust, Grant Application instructions will be sent to the applicant.

About The Memorial Trust

In 1975, two years after his death, The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust was established in New York. The four original trustees were a member of the Snow family, a lawyer, a publishing associate and a corporate trustee, the Irving Trust Company, now BNY Mellow N.A.. The current Trustees continue this legacy being well aware of the donor and his beliefs, values and ideals. The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust strategically focuses funding within specific geographic regions of the United States across a range of program areas. They meet once a year, usually in June.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust

The Memorial Trust strategically focuses funding within specific geographic regions of the United States across a range of program areas (prioritized below and visually depicted here) while responding to the ever-changing needs of various segments of the population, especially to the needs of youth and people who are disadvantaged economically, emotionally, or physically.

Dating back to the inception of the Trust in 1973, the primary and overarching grant making priority has been and continues to be programs that focus on education.

• Education: This program area targets funds to organizations that provide educational opportunities or academic assistance to individuals who demonstrate an intellectual aptitude and a financial need. Examples include scholarships, fellowships, academic tutoring or counseling, literacy, and journalism.

Secondarily, the Trust considers proposals within the areas of Arts and Culture, Community Initiatives, and Youth Programs. The Trustee’s objective is to extend the primary educational focus by providing funding support within these additional program areas.

• Arts and Culture: This program offers grants that promote arts education and appreciation, particularly for young adults, via the development of educational curriculum and professional instruction including visiting artists and performance support for targeted populations.
• Community Initiatives: This program provides funding for programs or services that directly improve the quality of life within the geographic focus areas that we serve. Examples include support for libraries, food pantries and shelters, and neighborhood revitalization. Generally, the Trust does not seek proposals for health care initiatives or animal welfare programs.
• Youth Programs: This program area offers grants that provide character education or enrichment opportunities via mentoring or after-school programming. 

As a third priority, the Trust does consider proposals in the areas of Disabilities and Universal Access, Environmental, and Historic Preservation. As these are not core focus areas, funding is often limited. Priority will be given to proposals with an educational focus.

• Disabilities and Universal Access: This program offers grants to organizations in complying with ADA requirements within their facilities (e.g. elevator, handrails, automatic doors, and ramps) or offering services targeted for individuals with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
• Environmental: This program provides funds for organizations that strive to protect strategic parcels of land and bodies of water as well as programs that educate the general public on key environmental issues such as conservation and water management.
• Historic Preservation: This program provides funding for organizations that preserve historical artifacts (e.g. sites, structures, objects) and accounts (e.g. events), and educate the greater community on their significance. Examples include museums, historical societies and educational programming.

NOTE: Applications may be submitted at any time during this funding cycle, open from Feb 1 to the deadline above. Please note that applications will only remain active in our system for 90 days, and at the end of this period they will be automatically rejected.

Guidelines

Local Community grants range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5,000. Eligible nonprofit organizations must operate on the local level (or be an affiliate/chapter of a larger organization that operates locally) and directly benefit the service area of the facility from which they are requesting funding.Organizations may only submit a total number of 25 applications and/or receive up to 25 grants within the 2019 grant cycle.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

NDN Collective

NDN is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.

Community Self-Determination Grants 

Purpose and Approach

Community Self-Determination Grants are intended to support community-based and community-driven sustainable solutions in all three of NDN Collective’s core strategies to Defend, Develop and Decolonize. Grants are intended to support and invest in the long-term visions and sustainability of Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations, fortifying the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples to create a just, equitable, and sustainable world for all people and the planet. Significant, flexible, multi-year funding will include the infusion of general operating support, capacity building, capital and holistic support for comprehensive initiatives and specific programs.

Community Self-Determination Grants are intended to strengthen and leverage long-term financial sustainability of Indigenous-led organizations, including capital support and investments. This type of funding will not only give Indigenous organizations the kind of runway that has been long understood as healthy for startups and private-sector companies, but transformative for community-based and grass-roots organizations, including those who are closest to the issues and the impact. While we fund national efforts, we intentionally prioritize grassroots, community-based efforts. Climate justice and Indigenous justice are at the heart of the intent behind the Community Self-Determination Grant.

NDN’s grantmaking approach is based on reciprocity and mutual aid, which may include thought partnership and capacity building resources. Relationship is at the core of this approach, encouraging systemic change and participation in which the people most affected take responsibility for one another and for changing systemic conditions. It is up to the community to determine the steps for true self-determination. NDN funds can support the material needs of communities while also addressing root causes and solution building that is shaped by the community. This approach encourages innovative, creative and free thinking for long-term change.

NDN will remain steadfast in its commitment to uphold and advance regenerative, Earth-centered principles of community and economic development. ‘Regenerative’ is the ability to regrow, renew or restore, particularly after loss or damage. NDN’s commitment to a new and better normal is also part of community self-determination, resilience and sustainability, therefore NDN seeks to support Tribes, Indigenous nations, communities and organizations who are also committed to more innovative, sustainable solutions. NDN is deeply committed to supporting Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination that supports justice and equity for people and the planet.

These principles and the NDN Collective’s framework of Defend, Develop, Decolonize will be utilized as a lens in which to review and select grantee-partners.

Community Driven Solutions

Because this program focuses on community-driven solutions, we encourage larger nations and organizations to coordinate among your various departments to submit an application reflecting your community’s efforts to Defend, Develop and Decolonize.

It is the intent of NDN Collective to provide meaningful support across multiple regions, therefore, applicants will be expected to describe their community self-determination efforts within one of the following strategic focus areas that is best suited for their community’s intentions and goals. New or expanded initiatives, or capacity building of existing efforts and entities may also be supported.

DEFEND

"Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations defend and protect our land, air, water and natural resources."

Efforts may include but are not limited to protecting and reclaiming lands, water, and natural resources, such as:

• Grassroots, frontline organizing and community mobilization to defend and protect clean water, air and land from extractive industries and exploitation;
• Indigenous-led environmental movements and efforts to stop the extraction of the earth’s natural resources on and near tribal territories.
• Direct action efforts of the climate and environmental justice movement.

DEVELOP

"Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations are developed in a resilient, regenerative and sustainable manner based on our values and connection to land, culture and identity."

Efforts may include but are not limited to community and economic development/resilience based on sustainable, regenerative principles, climate change solutions and mitigation, such as:

• Sustainable food systems, food sovereignty and security initiatives; sustainable community agriculture, gardens, food harvesting and processing, community hunting and fishing, sustainable herd management, shared community food pantries and food distribution;
• Community water initiatives; protecting or developing clean water sources; community pumps or wells, water purification and sanitation, ecological wastewater treatment systems, such as constructed wetlands, greywater systems, and composting toilet implementation, and bioremediation of contaminated soils and water;
• Community planning and implementation of sustainable, regenerative, and innovative solutions for community preparedness and resiliency;
• Renewable energy sources, i.e.; wind, solar, geo-thermal
• Energy transition that is environmentally, socially and economically just; that reduces carbon emissions and footprints; Net-Zero initiatives;
• Financial planning and transition to new or alternative revenue streams based on regenerative principles of economic and community development;
• Resilient and regenerative infrastructure improvements or development, including housing, broadband or increased internet speed and capacity; improved or upgraded software systems and technological training to support virtual and tele-abilities to learn, access health, conduct business, up-to-date communications access;
• Capital investments for economic mobility to diversify economies, long-term regenerative business development in various sectors, including decreasing risk of a larger investment; investments in building the capacity of people through education, training, and consulting to be well-equipped leaders in creating just, and resilient economies and infrastructure.

DECOLONIZE

"Indigenous ceremonies, cultures, languages and ways of life are revitalized, recognized and celebrated."

Efforts may include, but are not limited to intergenerational transmission and continuity of language, culture, ceremonial practices, traditional governance and decision-making structures, and lifeways, such as:

• Governance and leadership transformation, transition or development grounded in Indigenous values and practices, including constitutional reforms, reintegration of traditional governance structures, or decentralized, consensus-based decision making practices;
• Indigenous health and safety; providing and reclamation of Indigenous health, wellness, community care, healing and medicinal practices, including social, emotional, and cultural support;
• Language revitalization – Community immersion programs; teacher preparation and language apprentice programs; family language nests;
• Decolonized education models;
• Youth, family and community initiatives to restore, renew and support Indigenous language, cultural practices, creativity and lifeways;
• Community harmony, safety and protection efforts, including addressing physical and sexual violence; Indigenous peace-making and conflict resolution initiatives, community restorative justice practices, protocols and teachings.

MLK Day of Service Grant

Inclusive volunteering is great for people and communities. When people give back together, they build friendships, practice their civic duty, learn skills they can use in the future, and help people in need.

But inclusive volunteering is not just a great idea for people—inclusive volunteering is a win for organizations. By developing inclusive volunteer activities, organizations show their dedication not just to their community, but also to supporting genuine inclusion for all members of their community, regardless of background or ability. This year, The Arc is once again partnering with the Corporation for National and Community Service to offer $5,000 and $10,000 grants to nonprofit community organizations to develop service projects that commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Projects must be designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to volunteer alongside people without disabilities and should focus on providing food assistance to people in need in the community.

Over the past five years, The Arc has helped organizations across the country implement inclusive volunteering projects. They’ve seen firsthand the value of inclusive volunteering for the organization, with activities leading to new community partnerships and increased ability to reach new groups and service areas.

Grantees will:

• Partner with a service club to recruit volunteers with and without disabilities from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds to participate in the project
• Work with hunger-focused groups (e.g., community food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens) to deliver emergency food aid to people in need
• Provide food aid on the MLK Day of Service and continue through the end of the grant (May 31, 2020)
• Raise $31,000 ($10,00 grant) or $15,500 ($5,000 grant) in in-kind or cash matching funds to support the project

Introduction

The Arc is proud to have been selected by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that leads the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, to help plan and execute volunteer projects that unite Americans in service for the MLK Day of Service and throughout the year.

The Arc will work with selected applicants to accomplish the following goals:

• Partner with a local service club or organization to recruit volunteers with and without disabilities from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Engage volunteers to serve a specified number of service hours.
• Work with hunger-focused groups or organizations (e.g. community food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens) to deliver emergency food aid to people in need.
• Provide food aid on the MLK Day of Service (January 20, 2020) and MLK Day of Service weekend (January 17-20, 20120). Volunteer service activities can also occur before the Day of Service and continue through the end of the grant period (August 31, 2020).
• Contribute in-kind or cash matching funds to support the project during the grant year (September 1, 2019 – August 31, 2020).
• Build or enhance their organization’s use of best practices in recruiting and managing volunteers of all abilities from diverse backgrounds.
• Share print-quality pictures and stories and report information about the project with CNCS, The Arc and the public.

The Arc will award competitive grants of either $5,000 or $10,000 to selected community organizations that commit to these activities.

What is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service?

After a long struggle, legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading the effort to engage Americans in community service to mark this day. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service-– a "day on, not a day off." It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community."

Why Serve on MLK Day of Service?

Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live—creating the Beloved Community. The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions.

Why address food insecurity?

It seems improbable in a country where 90 million citizens are battling obesity that 49 million are also having food security issues. However, that's the reality in the United States today. And more than 16 million of our most vulnerable residents-- America's children-- are paying the price. Providing food assistance is one way communities can help improve all people’s access to healthy food.

Why The Arc?

As the largest and oldest advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, The Arc knows that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have a lot to offer their community, and many do so by giving back in a variety of ways.

The Arc is proud to be a part of the MLK Day of Service and to support community organizations to develop volunteer projects that include volunteers with and without disabilities to serve people in need.

In 2020,77 CNCS will invest $206,345 (30% of the project cost) to support The Arc’s project. This investment will be matched with $487,857 in in-kind support from organizations and The Arc and subgrantee organizations. This in-kind support will be financed by approximately $117,086 in public money (24%) and $370,771 (76%) in private resources.

What We Fund

We fund grassroots trans-led groups organizing and fighting for trans justice in the U.S. and U.S. Territories.

For TJFP, this work can look a lot of different ways and it’s important that the trans communities name what is needed for their local community–whatever that may look like. And we understand that it can look different in every single place across the country.

We fund groups for and by the trans communities.

Over the years, we’ve moved money to trans leaders dreaming up solutions for their people. TJFP grantees are organizing online community organizing trainings and support groups, providing guidance on trans health and wellness, or legal support for undocumented communities. TJFP grantees are putting together mutual aid projects, clothing and food pantries, organizing film and art festivals while changing culture, they’re providing spaces for healing and housing, organizing carpools to and from doctor appointments and bail funds, or one time direct actions, and so much more! For more examples of groups and projects we’ve funded, you can check out our digital map and list of grantees here.

We fund groups and projects that are well established or newly forming.

Some groups that we fund have more of a formal structure with a 501c3 or fiscal sponsorship. And over half of the groups we fund each year are not incorporated and do not have nonprofit status or a fiscal sponsor.

We center the leadership of trans people organizing around their experiences with racism, economic injustice, transmisogyny, ableism, immigration, incarceration, and other intersecting oppressions.

Trusting and supporting trans leadership is at the heart of everything we do both internally and externally at TJFP.