Best Food Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

About Mardag Foundation

Mardag Foundation is a family foundation that for more than 50 years has focused on ways to engage with and invest in communities across Minnesota through nonprofit grants. The Foundation has evolved its grantmaking as community needs have changed, while staying true to our founder’s commitment to caring for those most in need.

Our Mission

Mardag Foundation honors Agnes Ober’s legacy of giving back to those most in need by investing in nonprofit organizations and building strategic partnerships with philanthropy in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.

Food Access Grant Program

Mardag Foundation’s Food Access Grant Program supports organizations and programs that ensure access to food and address inequities in the food system.

Through five-year grants of $100,000 per year, we aim to fund systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to food for low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.

Grants will be offered for general operating or program/project support.

Funding Priorities

Our Food Access Grant Program will consider proposals that address systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to culturally relevant, healthy, affordable food for low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.

Our Food Access Grant Program will consider proposals that address one or more of the following:

• Extent to which the work empowers immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous communities in reclaiming ownership and control of the food system ‒ the right to grow, sell, access and eat food that is fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate and grown with integrity for the well-being of the people, land and animals
• Extent to which the work strives to provide culturally relevant food options in areas with lower access

Geography

Mardag Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public entities located within and serving residents of Minnesota. Our geographic focus is the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties), as well as Greater Minnesota.

Farm to Food Security Grant Program

The Farm to Food Security (F2FS) Grant Program is a competitive funding opportunity to help individuals and organizations buy foods grown and raised in Minnesota and distribute them at no cost to Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity, particularly individuals whose needs are not met through the traditional emergency food system.

Eligible projects and expenses

All food distributions that are part of F2FS projects must take place in Minnesota, but how the food is shared can be based on the needs of the community.

Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:

• A local food shelf buying food produced by farmers in their county and then distributing the food as part of their weekly distribution events.
• A regional hospital establishing a “produce prescription” program to buy local foods and deliver them to families in need and individuals suffering from chronic illnesses.
• A Tribal government buying traditional foods grown by Tribal members and distributing the foods to elders.
• A farmers’ market implementing a food recovery program to pay farmers for products left at the end of the market and partnering with a local food shelf to distribute them.
• Eligible expenses include:
• Foods grown and raised in Minnesota, including whole (unprocessed), minimally processed, and processed items.
• Up to 15% of the total project costs for administrative costs related to food storage, food transportation, and other supporting expenses.

See the request for proposals (RFP) for more details and examples of the types of projects and expenses that are eligible.

The Ralph J. Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund Grant, offered by the UNICO Foundation Inc., aims to combat hunger and provide shelter for the homeless and indigent. Eligible applicants include registered non-profit food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in 13 U.S. states. The grant focuses on direct services, ensuring that all funds are used for food and shelter, not for operating expenses, thereby promoting effective community support for vulnerable populations.

The Mardag Foundation's Community Emergency Grant Program provides one-time funding to Food Access and Housing organizations in East Metro and Greater Minnesota. Grants help address urgent needs like natural disasters and unexpected repairs. Prioritizing organizations serving low-income populations, the program aims to fill financial gaps and supports equitable outcomes for marginalized communities. Preference is given to first-time applicants and those demonstrating commitment to the geography served. This initiative reflects the Foundation's dedication to community welfare and resilience.

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless offers the Community Impact Grant aimed at supporting organizations that assist individuals and families facing food and housing insecurity in Minnesota. The grant focuses on providing necessary tools and infrastructure to crisis service providers, particularly those helping the homeless. Agencies with 501(c)3 status located in Minnesota are eligible to apply, ensuring that resources are effectively directed to those in immediate need.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation's Taylor Rural Improvements Grant offers up to $30,000 for impactful capital projects in communities with populations under 10,000. The grant aims to enhance essential services such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and internet accessibility. Eligible applicants include government units and 501(c)(3) nonprofits within a 20-county region. A 25% cash or in-kind match is required. This funding supports projects that improve community vibrancy and serve underserved populations.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

1.2 Program Description

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a federally funded grant program of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The grant is administered through the Minnesota Department of Health in the Supplemental Nutrition Program section of the Child and Family Health division.

CSFP provides a monthly food package of USDA commodity foods to augment the diets of those who are 60 years of age and older, of low income and considered to be at nutritional risk.

Subject to the availability of federal funds, MDH awards grants to qualified local agencies to operate the program in designated geographic service areas within the State.

Casey’s Donation Requests support vital community needs in Education, Hunger, and Community Servants. Eligible 501(c)3 organizations within Casey’s communities can apply through the online Donation Request Form. Requests are reviewed continuously, with feedback provided via email within one month. Priority is given to organizations that haven't received donations in the current giving calendar year, which runs from May 1 to April 30.

The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, led by The Minneapolis Foundation, supports community-based nonprofits in the Great Lakes region. With a focus on underserved communities, grants will total $40 million over three years, aiming to enhance environmental health, education, and resilience. The program prioritizes applications from federally recognized tribes and organizations with limited budgets, fostering inclusive community engagement and sustainable development. Eligible projects include environmental assessments, public health initiatives, and job training.