Best Food Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

Who We Are

A national organization with a local feel.

Founded in 1992, The Food Trust works with neighborhoods, institutions, retailers, farmers, and policymakers across the country to ensure delicious, nutritious food for all.

Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative

A statewide public-private financing program administered by The Food Trust, PA FFFI helps business owners open or expand healthy grocery outlets in communities throughout the commonwealth.

Overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the PA FFFI is administered by The Food Trust in partnership with Pennsylvania-based community development financial institutions (CDFIs).

The program provides grants and technical assistance to nonprofit, for-profit and cooperative food businesses that help increase access to healthy, affordable food and improve economic opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents of urban, suburban and rural areas of Pennsylvania. Grant awards will range from $5,000 – $200,000.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing food access and hunger can apply for more than US $2,500 to support their programs. Grants from Wawa Foundation help organizations in Wawa’s market area expand hunger relief, including improving access to food through financial grants and related community initiatives alongside its broader health and everyday heroes focus.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on food access, hunger relief, community safety, health, education, or related community services can seek more than US $1,000 to support local programs. Focused on strengthening communities, Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation gives preference to areas near its facilities and where Perdue associates are involved.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing food access and hunger in Pennsylvania can request in-kind support such as product donations and gift baskets to aid community and youth events. With a mission to strengthen health, hunger relief, and everyday heroes, Wawa Foundation provides focused local assistance where Wawa stores operate.

Pennsylvania nonprofits addressing food access and hunger can access funding through the Wawa Foundation’s Local Connection Grants, with awards up to US $2,500. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations in Wawa’s six-state service area working in health, hunger, or everyday heroes, with inquiries reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Nonprofit organizations running children’s physical activity, nutrition education, or healthy food access programs in Pennsylvania and other eligible states can apply for Advocare Foundation’s annual grants, averaging Approximately US $25,000. Grants from Advocare Foundation help expand year-round initiatives that improve the long-term health and wellness habits of children and their families.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering food, nutrition, or related support programs in Pennsylvania and the broader Northeast can seek up to US $2,500 to relieve suffering for people or animals in need. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation prioritizes small, well-run groups with under $1 million in assets and limited government or fundraising capacity.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Pennsylvania seeking project-based support for food access, hunger relief, or related humanitarian needs can apply for Quest for the Best funding. Grants support specific programs, projects, or equipment and favor efforts with matching funds, long-term sustainability, and strong local impact, especially in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.

Food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in Pennsylvania that are registered nonprofits can receive funding to purchase food or provide shelter directly to low-income and vulnerable people. Focused on food access and hunger, UNICO Foundation invites established programs in eligible states to apply, using 100% of funds for direct services, not salaries or operations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Pennsylvania addressing food access, hunger, health, education, or community services can apply for the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation’s corporate giving program, with awards up to US $1,000. Eligible applicants must be endorsed by a Perdue associate and operate within Perdue’s supported states.

Pennsylvania nonprofits and community organizations working on community health, food access, and basic needs can seek corporate giving support to improve residents’ wellbeing. Focused on equitable access to care and economic resilience, Highmark invites programs that address food insecurity, housing instability, health education, and related services, with preference for 501(c)(3) organizations in its core service areas.

Nonprofits, farmers, researchers, and community partners in Pennsylvania working on sustainable farming and food systems can access funding through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Farming Community Grant Program. Awards of US $50,000 - US $250,000 support social science research and education projects improving marketing, production, livestock, aquaculture, and the economic and social sustainability of agricultural communities.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) health and human service nonprofits can seek project funding for behavioral health, women and children’s health, autism, opioid solutions, food security, and healthcare workforce initiatives through AllOne Foundation. Eligible organizations must employ at least one paid staff member and serve designated Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania counties, including those addressing food access and nutrition.

Food retailers and food enterprises planning or expanding healthy food access projects in Pennsylvania can seek funding for planning or implementation costs. Grants from Reinvestment Fund help U.S. organizations improve food access and retail distribution in underserved areas, support quality jobs, and strengthen low-income communities, with awards ranging from US $20,000 - US $250,000.

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

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and other charitable organizations addressing food access and hunger in Pennsylvania can apply for Journey for Good Foundation support. Grants from Journey for Good Foundation help North America food access and hunger programs, including those combining nutrition, education, workforce development, and services for veterans and their families facing economic vulnerability.

School districts and community-based organizations in Pennsylvania that run federal child nutrition programs can get support for equipment and supplies that expand kids’ access to meals. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry grants help under-resourced communities increase participation in school breakfast, non-congregate summer meals, and other federal nutrition programs nationwide.

Pennsylvania food access and hunger organizations working on health, nutrition, or economic mobility can access funding through the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Fund. For-profit and nonprofit applicants operating in the U.S. and Puerto Rico may receive up to US $500,000 for scalable solutions improving healthcare access, food security, and economic vitality in under-resourced communities.

Grassroots, community-led organizations in Pennsylvania working on climate justice through food access, housing, health, transportation, or racial justice can receive capacity-building support for organizing and strategy development. Bread & Roses Community Fund offers US $15,000 grants to strengthen climate justice training, leadership development, and community-driven climate organizing plans.

The Climate Justice Organizing Fund - Track Two supports grassroots organizations focused on implementing climate justice strategies. This funding aims to empower groups addressing interconnected issues such as racial justice, food security, health equity, and affordable housing. Eligible organizations must have an annual budget of $500,000 or less and prioritize community voices impacted by climate change. The fund emphasizes direct action, coalition building, and mobilizing communities to engage with policymakers, ensuring a robust response to climate challenges.

The Nourishing Neighbors Innovation Incubation Fund RFP invites organizations to submit innovative proposals aimed at ending hunger. With flexible funding ranging from $50,000 to $300,000, this initiative encourages diverse ideas, whether small or large-scale. Organizations are required to have a panel of advisors with lived experience and must operate within the U.S. This grant focuses on creating sustainable solutions, ensuring communities can achieve self-sufficiency in food access.

The Region Grants Open Grant Round: Hunger Relief, sponsored by the Land O'Lakes Foundation, aims to combat food insecurity in rural communities. Grants between $1,000 and $20,000 are available for organizations supporting food banks, meal programs, and community gardens. With a total investment of $500,000 annually, this initiative prioritizes nonprofits with 501c3 status serving specific regions in the East and West. The program seeks to enhance the vibrancy of member-owner communities while fostering educational and community vitality.

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.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) health and human service nonprofits with at least one paid staff member can seek US $5,000 - US $25,000 for innovative programs improving healthcare, nutrition, and wellness. Organizations serving counties such as Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and others may be eligible for Allone Charities support, including food access and hunger initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations helping Philadelphia families with young children access public benefits and tax credits can seek multi-year project funding, including food and basic needs support. With a mission to strengthen family stability, William Penn Foundation provides Pennsylvania human services and food access nonprofits with resources for direct services, outreach, systems change, and related efforts.

Newman’s Own Foundation is offering the Food Justice for Kids Prize, providing up to $100,000 in grant funding over two years for organizations promoting food justice for children in the U.S. This initiative focuses on Indigenous Food Justice and Nutrition Education, addressing the high rates of food insecurity among children, particularly in marginalized communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public schools, and tribes that serve children under 18. The foundation aims to ensure all kids have access to nutritious food and education on sustainable food systems.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding up to $25,000 for organizations focused on improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Established in 1943, the foundation prioritizes health equity through strategic partnerships aimed at reducing cancer burdens, preparing healthcare professionals, and enhancing crisis response efforts. Eligible applicants include national and local nonprofits targeting specific regions in the U.S. and Canada. The foundation emphasizes projects that align with its mission and demonstrate significant community impact.