Best Food Grants for Nonprofits in Puerto Rico

Nonprofit organizations and eligible public or private schools offering food access, hunger relief, or nutrition education programs in Puerto Rico can seek support for comprehensive food and nutrition initiatives. Focused on malnutrition, healthy eating, and food security, Bayer Fund invites experienced, financially sound charities in eligible legacy-Monsanto communities to request an invitation code before applying.

For-profit and nonprofit organizations addressing food access, healthcare, or economic vitality in Puerto Rico can apply for grants up to US $500,000 to scale evidence-based solutions. American Heart Association’s Social Impact Fund supports sustainable, community-driven efforts that improve food security, nutrition, and related social determinants of health in under-resourced areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with youth, food access, housing, or environmental programs, including those serving Puerto Rico, can apply for Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, offering US $30,000 - US $350,000. Focus areas include addressing hunger and food insecurity, supporting underserved youth and families, and environmental stewardship connected to community and food initiatives.

Nonprofits, public schools, tribes, and eligible government entities advancing food access and nutrition for children under 18 in Puerto Rico can apply for the Food Justice for Kids Prize, with awards up to US $100,000 over two years. Grants from Newmans Own Foundation support Indigenous food justice and nutrition education or school food programs across the U.S. and territories.

The Hunger to Health Collaboratory (H2HC) 2025 Prizes for Innovation aim to enhance health equity for youth through innovative funding in three categories: Food and Nutrition Policy, Nutrition Education & School Food, and Indigenous Food Justice. Supported by Newman’s Own Foundation, these prizes include $100K grants for policy work and $25K grants for education and justice initiatives. Winners will participate in the H2HC Fall Summit in Boston, fostering collaborative solutions to food challenges.

The Big Bets Fellowship: Economic Opportunity in the United States is a transformative 4-month program designed to empower emerging leaders to tackle economic challenges head-on. With a focus on innovative solutions for job creation, affordable housing, and equitable access to resources, the fellowship equips participants with essential skills and a supportive network. The initiative aims to drive systemic change and promote sustainable economic prosperity, addressing inequalities while fostering resilient communities across the nation.

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.

Puerto Rico food access and hunger nonprofits and school districts serving children through federal feeding programs can access funding for equipment and other needs that support meal delivery and service. Offered by Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry initiative, these grants prioritize expanding School Breakfast Program participation and non-congregate summer meals, with limited support for other federal nutrition programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and other charitable organizations working on food access and hunger in Puerto Rico can seek funding to combat hunger and promote nutritional wellness. Journey for Good Foundation also supports related efforts in education, workforce development, and veteran services as part of its broader poverty-fighting mission across North America.

Puerto Rico food access and hunger nonprofits can access funding through Whole Foods Market’s Store Giving Program to support community-based program work. Eligible 501(c)(3) and similar charities near Whole Foods locations that focus on food access, environmental stewardship, or closely related needs may apply biannually via the company’s Community Engagement Portal.

Reinvestment Fund provides Puerto Rico food access and hunger organizations with planning and implementation funding to expand healthy food retail and distribution. Eligible applicants include for-profit, nonprofit, and cooperative food retailers and food enterprises, plus governments and higher education institutions. Awards range from US $20,000 - US $250,000 and may include technical assistance.

Food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in Puerto Rico are not eligible; only registered nonprofit programs based in select U.S. states can apply for UNICO Foundation’s Ralph J. Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund Grant. Funding must be used 100% for direct food and shelter services for low-income or otherwise vulnerable people.

Nonprofit organizations improving health outcomes through food access, cancer support, workforce development, or crisis response programs can apply for McKesson Foundation grants up to US $25,000. The foundation supports work across the U.S. and Canada; Puerto Rico food access and hunger initiatives that meet its health equity pillars may be eligible.

Nonprofit organizations addressing food access and hunger in Puerto Rico can apply for William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Social Service Grant; awards more than US $100,000 for proven, direct-service programs. U.S.-based 501(c)(3)s with audited expenses over $2 million and strong, scalable results, especially national or headquarters-level initiatives, may be competitive.

Nonprofit organizations providing food access, distribution, rescue, or nutrition education in Puerto Rico can apply for Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation’s Fighting Hunger Grants, with awards up to US $10,000 per program. U.S. and Canadian food banks, pantries, and meal assistance programs may be especially competitive for this hunger-focused funding.

Puerto Rico nonprofits addressing food access, health and welfare, education, or community services can access funding through the Labcorp Charitable Foundation for programs like food pantries, meal services, and healthcare for underserved populations. Organizations with 501(c)(3) or equivalent charitable status may be eligible for support, with requests reviewed in March and September.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public entities working on food access, hunger, and basic human needs may be eligible for national funding that can include Puerto Rico. Grants from American Electric Power Foundation help support hunger relief, housing stability, STEM education, and social justice initiatives for communities within its broad service reach.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing food access and hunger in Puerto Rico may be eligible for project, operating, or capital support that improves quality of life for underserved people. Grants from O'Reilly Automotive Foundation help U.S.-based community-benefit nonprofits working where O’Reilly Auto Parts operates, particularly on hunger, poverty, economic stability, and related social services.

Nonprofit and mission-driven food retailers and enterprises improving food access and supply chain resiliency in Puerto Rico and other underserved U.S. areas can seek funding for projects expanding fresh, healthy food options. The Reinvestment Fund’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative offers US $200,000 - US $3,000,000 plus technical assistance to overcome high costs and barriers in low-income communities.

The SODEXO Stop Hunger Classroom Challenge invites K-12 classrooms in the U.S. to enhance existing hunger relief initiatives, such as food drives and backpack programs, by making them more impactful and student-driven. This initiative not only addresses the critical issue of child hunger but also empowers students to take action and lead projects that foster community engagement and social responsibility.

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.

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.

Ecolab Foundation

Ecolab Foundation is a philanthropic arm of Ecolab dedicated to advancing community well-being through programs that promote education, environmental stewardship, and public health. Its mission is to create positive social impact by supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and foster sustainable development.

The foundation’s primary areas of engagement include educational programs that enhance learning and workforce readiness, environmental projects that encourage conservation and sustainability, and health-related initiatives that improve hygiene and safety. It focuses on partnerships that deliver measurable benefits and long-term impact.

Ecolab Foundation operates primarily within the United States while also supporting global initiatives aligned with its corporate responsibility goals. Its geographic scope reflects a commitment to addressing local community needs and contributing to broader sustainability efforts.

The foundation collaborates with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community-based groups. It prioritizes partnerships that demonstrate strong governance, clear objectives, and alignment with its mission of education, health, and environmental responsibility.

Ecolab Match Program

Ecolab established the Volunteer and Community Relations programs to encourage and reward Ecolab employee and alumni involvement in the communities where people live and work. There are three programs including the Board Leadership Volunteer Grant.

Board Leadership Volunteer Grant

Ecolab will donate up to $500 USD annually to a qualifying 501(c)3 organization (some restrictions apply) for which an eligible person serves on the Board of Directors. 

Focus Areas of Giving

• Youth and Education: programs that promote youth development, particularly for programs that ensure all students are successful
• Civic & Community Development: affordable housing, work readiness, crisis assistance and hunger relief
• Environment & Conservation: hands-on environmental learning programs, environment and conservation organizations
• Arts & Culture: arts education for children and youth as well as support for museums and the performing arts

Food insecurity impacts every town in America — rural, urban, and all the communities on every road in between. It affects all age groups — from children through seniors — including about one-third of college students. It happens for different reasons — a lost job, a natural disaster, a pandemic, and more.

Ann B. Zekauskas saw this food insecurity first-hand while volunteering in New York City soup kitchens, often on Thanksgiving. She knew that people go hungry every day — and that many food-insecure people are prone to obesity. Limited options often lead to food choices that are higher in calories, but lower in nutrition.

Whether it’s to aid a family that has fallen on hard times or to assist a community or a country during a crisis, we support food banks, neighborhood kitchens, and other hunger relief organizations to provide the next healthy meal to those in need.

The Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation is committed to supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that align with our mission and values. We welcome grant requests from nonprofit organizations seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities in the areas of nutritional education, food access, or the advancement of cuilnary arts careers.