Best School Health Grants in Washington

Washington State Department of Agriculture

WSDA has been serving agriculture and the public for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we support keeping agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment.

Farm to School Purchasing Grants

Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Farm to School Program exists to facilitate increased use of Washington grown food by schools.

The purpose of the Farm to School Purchasing grants is to increase the purchase, use, and promotion of foods that are grown, raised, caught, or foraged in Washington by child nutrition programs with an emphasis on procurement from small and direct marketing farms and food businesses, including but not limited to, socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, women and veteran farmers and ranchers.

Grant funds are intended to support schools and early learning services in sourcing and preparing high quality, nutritious, culturally relevant foods for their meal programs.WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grants are reimbursement grants. Grants are awarded based on a competitive application and review process.

There are two application types: School Meals and Childcare Meals

Eligible applicants may apply for one or more application type.

*New for the 2025-2027 Biennium*

There is no option to apply for a purchasing grant solely for Summer Meal programs. School Meals applicants who operate SFSP or SSO may include summer meals as part of their School Meals application. Award amounts are detailed in the Maximum Eligible Awards section of the grant guidelines.

Eligible Expenses

Farm to School Purchasing Grant funds must be used to support the grant purpose of increasing use of Washington grown, raised, caught, or foraged foods. 

Farm to school purchasing may:

• Increase scratch cooking practices with the use of more ingredients in fresh and raw forms.
• Create opportunities for meal programs to develop culturally relevant meals for students.
• Introduce students and staff to new and unfamiliar foods with supportive training, education, and taste-testing.
• Expand opportunities for Washington’s small farm and food producers to access new markets.

The Farm to School Purchasing Grant may be used to cover non-food costs in addition to direct food purchases. Non-food costs must directly support the project plan’s efforts to purchase and promote foods grown, raised, or caught in Washington State.

Awardees may use up to 25% of their total awarded grant funds on eligible non-food costs. Awardees must spend at least 75% of the awarded grant funds on food purchases.

See the list below for examples of eligible expenses. These lists are not exhaustive, there may be eligible expenses not included in the list of examples.

Indirect costs are not permitted as part of the project budget for this program. Administrative costs, such as fiscal office staff time, are permitted as a non-food cost in lieu of indirect costs.

Examples of Eligible Food Costs

Grantees may purchase foods grown, raised, harvested, and packaged or processed in Washington from various sources including, but not limited to:

• School & Childcare gardens
• Washington farms
• Food hubs or farmer cooperatives
• Food Processors
• Regional produce or broadline distributors

The following products are examples of foods that are eligible for reimbursement with the Farm to School Purchasing Grant:

• Processed or packaged foods** with a primary ingredient that is 100% grown, raised, caught, or foraged in Washington State- where the primary ingredient is the largest ingredient by weight or volume.
  • For example, yogurt containing 100% milk from cows raised in Washington or pizza dough containing 100% flour from wheat grown in Washington. 

See more about eligible expenses from the grant guidelines.

Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools Grants

Funds for this grant are available in two categories: physical education/physical activity and nutrition. The nutrition category includes but is not limited to, renovations or repairs, new purchases and improvements to cafeteria and kitchen equipment, and spaces, water bottle filling stations, garden-related structures, and greenhouses. Garden related and greenhouse projects must provide students access to fresh produce. The physical education and physical activity category includes, but is not limited to, physical education renovation, indoor or outdoor physical education equipment, playground equipment, covered play areas, related structures and renovations. Prior to applying, districts must consider their ability to sustain improvements over time. Districts receiving funding must also demonstrate a consistent commitment to addressing school facilities’ needs. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. No single district may receive more than $200,000.

Grant Process Key Points

• There is no district leveraged or matching funds requirement.
• Grants are for procurement of equipment, repair, and renovation of existing equipment or facilities, or design and construction of new facility space and infrastructure related to the categories listed above.
• In-house labor costs will not be reimbursed.
• For more information including scoring criteria, see Form Package 505.

Indoor Air Quality Assessment Grant

The Indoor Air Quality Assessment Grant grant will fund technical assistance from various state and local entities, as well as commercial experts, to help schools improve their HVAC and smart building systems. 

This grant will support technical assistance from state funded entities, such as OSPI, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Health. It will also provide funding for technical assistance from other entities, such as local health jurisdiction school safety programs, the Smart Building Center’s K-12 ventilation and the indoor air quality resource team. Additionally, the grant will help cover the cost of hiring commercial experts who know how to troubleshoot modern HVAC or smart building systems. 

Lead in Water Remediation Grant

The Lead in Water Remediation grant program helps schools replace drinking water fixtures or pipes that test positive for lead contamination of above five parts per billion. Schools can use grant funds for fixture replacement, pipe replacement, or for fixtures that are cold water only, filtering systems.

Testing must be done by the Department of Health (DOH) and samples analyzed by the DOH Public Health Lab OR a school can contract for sampling and testing that meets DOH technical guidance. Schools must then submit the test results to DOH according to DOH guidelines. Water sampling cannot be conducted by school staff.

The grant application is available in EGMS under Form Package 504 and will remain open until the funds run out.

Washington schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits running school-based garden or cooking programs can access funding through the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation for hands-on nutrition and school health education. Grants up to US $5,000 support school garden operations, supplies, and educator stipends on campuses in communities served by Sprouts Farmers Market stores.

RBC Foundation – USA aims to enhance community quality of life by supporting non-profit organizations that promote diversity and positive change. In 2023, it awarded over $2.8 million in grants, prioritizing youth programs for ages 15-29, arts access for diverse populations, and mental well-being initiatives. The foundation encourages sustainable projects that foster economic independence, providing critical support for education, mental health, and cultural enrichment, thereby making a significant impact across various communities.

Washington school health and nutrition education nonprofits can access funding through the Ann B Zekauskas Family Foundation to support programs teaching healthy eating, food pathways, and wellness. 501(c)(3) organizations focused on nutrition education, food access, or culinary arts training for students, families, and communities across the U.S. may be eligible.

K-12 schools in Washington participating in the National School Lunch Program can apply for National Dairy Council’s Fuel Up School Nutrition Equipment Grants, offering US $2,000 kits to expand access to nutritious school meals. Funding supports equipment that increases students’ access to and consumption of dairy foods, with priority for underserved communities.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing nursing degrees and living in Independent School District #813 may be eligible for this nursing scholarship, which supports postsecondary education costs. Greater Lake City Community Foundation funds students with strong academics, school involvement, and community service, which may include those interested in school health careers in Washington and beyond.

School food professionals working in National School Lunch Program districts in Washington and nationwide can access leadership development funding and training from Chef Ann Foundation through the Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship. This 13‑month program builds skills in nutrition, policy, procurement, finances, sustainability, and more, including a capstone project grant to support school health and food system improvements.

Washington K-12 school districts with self-operated meal programs in the National School Lunch Program can access funding and technical support through the Chef Ann Foundation’s Get Schools Cooking initiative. Districts committed to transitioning to scratch-cooked, healthier school meals receive assessments, strategic planning help, and system improvement grants to strengthen school health and nutrition programs.

Schools operating or planning in-school food pantries can receive support from Stop & Shop in Washington and other U.S. locations to improve student food security and wellbeing. Focused on food security and school health, this program helps pre-K through college campuses establish or sustain pantries, though Boston and New York City borough schools are currently excluded.

Clinicians in school health settings who provide audiology or speech-language pathology services in Washington may be eligible for this recognition, which includes US $2,500 total for the individual and their school system. Focused on school-based communication disorders, the American Speech Language Hearing Foundation honors innovative, impactful programs and achievements in pre-K through high school environments.

Washington school health and student health centers can access funding through the American College Health Foundation to develop innovative practices that improve college students’ access to quality health care. American College Health Association institutional or individual members may receive up to US $3,500 for projects addressing student needs, service awareness, delivery methods, technology integration, and outreach to at-risk populations.

Washington school health researchers and school nurses can access funding through the National Association of School Nurses to study school nursing practice and the health of school-aged children. Grants of US $1,000 - US $25,000 support future research projects led by NASN members, with results submitted to The Journal of School Nursing.

Washington school health nonprofits addressing issues like bullying, suicide prevention, substance use, or related wellness topics can access funding through the Levin Family Foundation, with awards up to US $30,000. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations; projects that also serve communities in or beyond Montgomery County, Ohio may be competitive.

K–8 nonprofit schools in the U.S. with established school gardens and/or culinary education programs can apply for Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen support. Funding helps integrate gardening, nutrition education, and culinary skills into school health curricula; Washington schools serving middle- to low-income students may be especially competitive.

Local educational agencies working on school health and student safety in Washington can apply for U.S. Department of Education Project SAFE grants to support COVID-19 prevention strategies in schools. Focused on school health, the Office of Elementary & Secondary Education offers funding to LEAs that implement CDC-aligned measures and face related state financial penalties.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and certain public entities improving education, health, or wellness can seek US $2,500 - US $10,000 to serve communities in Washington where International Paper operates. Focus areas include early learning, K–12 education, literacy, children’s health, wellness, hunger relief, disaster relief, and significant environmental or other critical community needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations in Washington can seek funding for education, health and wellness, environment, or arts initiatives that improve quality of life. Grants from McCormick & Company help schools and partners enhance higher education, special needs and workplace-preparation programs, and may benefit school health and wellness efforts where employees live and work.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) cultural institutions with audited expenses over $2 million can seek funding for arts and science programs, capital projects, or limited general support that create measurable impact, especially for youth. Grants from William Randolph Hearst Foundation help large arts organizations, including those in Washington, expand arts education, STEAM initiatives, and artist development that may complement school health efforts.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services offers financial support for various community projects through its Company Giving program. Focused on four key areas—Health Care, Veterans' Support, Education, and Crisis Management—this initiative aims to enhance the well-being of local communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and civic groups, while organizations that primarily benefit their members or have high management overhead may be excluded. The program underscores J.B. Hunt's commitment to corporate social responsibility.

The HDR Foundation Grant Cycle supports community organizations aligned with HDR's values, focusing on education, healthy communities, and environmental stewardship. This employee-funded initiative emphasizes the importance of employee engagement in grant proposals, requiring a clear scope of work and completion within a year. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and tribal governments, while grants are not provided for faith-based organizations or individual support.

The BNSF Railway Foundation provides grants to enhance community quality of life across 28 states, focusing on educational, cultural, and social service initiatives. With over $150 million contributed since 2000, the foundation emphasizes projects with strong local engagement and BNSF employee involvement. Eligible organizations include public charities, local governments, and tribal governments, while ineligible entities encompass religious organizations and those with discriminatory practices. Priority is given to environmental, health, and cultural projects.

Wegmans Family Foundation Inc focuses on cultivating healthy communities through support for hunger relief, health initiatives, education, and youth programs. They prioritize collaborations with local nonprofits to enhance community well-being, offering assistance in key areas like economic mobility and youth engagement. Despite their wide-ranging support, they have specific ineligibility criteria, such as not accommodating personal requests or solicitation on their property, aiming to direct resources effectively where they are needed most.

The WKKF Grant, offered by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, is dedicated to fostering a future where every child and family thrives. With a focus on nurturing early education, accessible healthcare, and equitable food systems, this grant supports initiatives that empower communities across the U.S. and parts of Mexico and Haiti. Organizations meeting IRS regulations and being legal entities, particularly 501(c)(3) nonprofits, are encouraged to apply for funding to create lasting impacts in their communities.

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation Grant aims to improve lives through support for education, health care, community development, and innovation. Established by James and Beverley Sorenson, the foundation focuses on enhancing art education, medical technologies, and community assistance in Utah. It prioritizes projects that foster artistic growth, promote innovative solutions, and address health care challenges while aiding vulnerable populations. The foundation's commitment to enriching lives reflects a deep-rooted belief in the power of education and community engagement.