Best Food Grants for Nonprofits in Louisiana

Grants from Jack in the Box Foundation help Louisiana 501(c)(3) nonprofits that feed, educate, and empower youth in Jack in the Box restaurant communities. Eligible organizations within 50 miles of a restaurant can request US $5,000 - US $10,000 to support local food access, education, and youth-focused programs, with letters from franchisees or employees strengthening applications.

Housing providers in Louisiana that offer food access, reentry services, or supportive housing can receive up to US $5,000 per diem support to deliver short-term emergency and transitional housing. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections funds this program to stabilize individuals exiting incarceration or under probation and parole supervision.

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

The Crawford Taylor Foundation focuses on enhancing programs that create lasting legacies in St. Louis. With priorities in community development, women's health, animal welfare, and environmental preservation, the foundation seeks to support 501(c)(3) organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. They avoid funding multi-year grants or for-profit initiatives, emphasizing support for local causes and relief efforts deemed important by the Taylor family.

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.

Nonprofit and other leaders working on food access, hunger, and related economic or health challenges in Louisiana and across the U.S. can apply for the Big Bets Fellowship, a five-month leadership development program with a US $5,000 stipend. Rockefeller Foundation supports fellows advancing systemic solutions that improve opportunity, resilience, and well-being for vulnerable communities.

Louisiana food access and hunger nonprofits can access funding through Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Innovation Incubation Fund for new, scalable ideas that break the cycle of hunger. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities with Albertsons stores may request up to US $300,000 for innovative, multi-year projects that build long-term self-sufficiency around food access.

Louisiana food access and hunger organizations can access funding through the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Fund for projects improving healthcare access, food security, and economic vitality. For-profit and nonprofit organizations operating in the U.S. and Puerto Rico may receive up to US $500,000 for scalable, evidence-based solutions serving under-resourced communities.

School districts and community-based organizations in Louisiana working through federal child nutrition programs can receive support for equipment and other needs that help feed kids. Share Our Strength provides grants nationwide to increase access to school breakfast, non-congregate summer meals, and other federal nutrition programs, prioritizing under-resourced and marginalized communities facing childhood hunger.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and other charitable organizations in Louisiana working on food access, hunger relief, and nutrition initiatives may be eligible for this funding, part of a broader North American program. Grants from Journey for Good Foundation help support food-related services, education, workforce development, and veteran-focused programs that address poverty holistically.

Nonprofit organizations focused on food access, hunger, or environmental stewardship in Louisiana can seek biannual program support through the Whole Foods Market Store Giving Program. With a mission to nourish people and the planet, Whole Foods Market provides funding to verified 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities around its stores via its Community Engagement Portal.

Nonprofit food retailers and food enterprises in Louisiana can seek $20,000 - $250,000 to plan or implement projects that expand access to healthy foods in underserved areas. Grants from Reinvestment Fund, through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, also support technical assistance, job creation, and revitalization of low-income communities along the food retail supply chain.

Louisiana 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible government units can seek funding for projects in education, food insecurity, and community development that benefit local families. Sparklight provides support for special projects, capacity-building efforts, and capital campaigns in communities where its Cable One family of brands does business, which may include Louisiana food access and hunger initiatives.

Food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters that are registered nonprofits can apply for UNICO Foundation’s Ralph J. Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund to purchase food or provide shelter in the U.S. Focused on food access and hunger, Louisiana organizations may be eligible if domiciled in a participating UNICO state and serving vulnerable, low-income populations.

Nonprofits, public schools, tribes, and eligible government entities advancing food justice for children can receive up to US $100,000 from Newmans Own Foundation for programs in the U.S., including Louisiana. Grants support Indigenous food justice and nutrition education or school food initiatives that serve children under 18 and are already beyond the concept stage.

Nonprofit organizations addressing food access and hunger in Louisiana can seek up to US $25,000 to support medicine and food programs for vulnerable communities. McKesson Foundation supports efforts across the U.S. and Canada that advance health equity, including food access, disaster relief, cancer prevention, and other health-related initiatives for underserved populations.

Nonprofit organizations in Louisiana addressing food access and hunger through direct social services can seek support from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The funder backs established U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations with audited expenses over $2 million, offering program, capital, and general support for efforts that reduce chronic poverty and promote economic independence.

Nonprofit organizations in Louisiana providing food access, distribution, rescue, or nutrition education can apply for Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation’s Fighting Hunger Grants, with awards up to US $10,000 per program. This funding may support food pantries, food banks, and meal assistance programs for children, families, and seniors in local communities.

Louisiana nonprofits addressing food access and hunger, healthcare, education, or community services can seek support for programs such as food pantries, meal services, and related community initiatives. Louisiana food-focused organizations may be eligible for Labcorp Charitable Foundation grants if they are U.S.-based 501(c)(3) entities and their projects fit health and welfare, education, or community priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on food access and hunger in Louisiana, particularly in Orleans Parish, can apply for funding to improve food security, education, and related outreach. Grants from Seaboard Foundation help communities where the company operates address hunger alongside education and animal welfare initiatives.

Louisiana nonprofits addressing food access and hunger can access funding through the American Electric Power Foundation to provide basic human services like hunger relief and housing support. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) public charities or qualifying public institutions located in AEP’s service territory or serving its customers, with a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and non-discrimination.

Louisiana food access and hunger nonprofits can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for project, general operating, or capital support that improves quality of life for underserved people. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations in O’Reilly Auto Parts communities addressing hunger, poverty, economic stability, or related social services may be eligible.

The purpose of America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is to improve access to healthy food in underserved areas, to support food supply chain resiliency, to create and preserve quality jobs, and torevitalize low-income communities by providing financial and technical assistance, either directly orthrough other partners and intermediaries, to eligible fresh, healthy food retailers and enterprises toovercome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved areas. HFFI offers fundingopportunities and technical assistance to eligible applicants.

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.

The Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance, funded by the Agricultural Marketing Service, aim to support eligible organizations in enhancing cold storage capabilities within the food supply chain. This initiative focuses on providing essential nutrition assistance to low-income individuals through subawards to food banks and nonprofit organizations. By investing in cold storage equipment, the program seeks to improve the management and distribution of food resources, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive adequate support.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on food access and hunger in Louisiana can receive up to US $500 annually when an eligible Ecolab employee or retiree serves on their board. With a mission to strengthen education, health, and environmental responsibility, Ecolab Foundation supports community-focused programs through this Board Leadership Volunteer Grant.