Grant Opportunities for Food Assistance & Non-profit Partners
- Maryland MEA FY25 Commercial Solar Grant Program: The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) welcomes applications from nonprofits or state-registered business located in or serving LMI overburdened/ underserved populations. Funds may be used to purchase solar PV systems (applicant-owned or third-party owned). The maximum grant is $500,000. Cost-share varies from 50% to 75% or by maximum kW allowance. Grants are on a first-come, first-served basis; the application deadline is March 31, 2024.
- The FY2025 Prince George’s County Council Grant Program: This grant is open to organizations operating in Prince George’s County. The deadline to apply is May 2, 2025.
- The Hearst Foundation Grant: The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need. This grant has rolling applications and is open to nonprofits with audited expenses exceeding $2 million.
- Maryland MEA Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural FY25 Grant Program (Energy Savings): Grants are on a first-come, first-served basis; the application deadline is February 14, 2024. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) welcomes applications from eligible applicants including facility owners that operate businesses (registered corporations, LLPs, LLCs, GPs, etc.) or non-profit entities operating in specific areas. Grant funds can be used to accelerate investment into clean, energy-efficient building technologies by defraying their installation cost in existing or new facilities, agricultural facilities, or combined heat & power. Grants can also support displacement of fossil-fuel use in commercial, industrial, or agricultural facilities. Awards typically range from $100,000 to $250,000 per project, with a maximum of $400,000. Cost-share is at least 25%.
- DHS Announces $160 Million First Portion of Additional Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funds to Protect Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations Against Targeted Attacks: The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will distribute $160 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funds to protect faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations against targeted attacks. The announcement accompanies DHS’s release of an amended Notice of Funding Opportunity that will now enable qualifying institutions and organizations to apply for these additional NSGP funds.
- Ben & Jerry’s Foundation Grassroots Organization National Grants: The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program provides grants of up to $30,000 per year to small grassroots organizations with budgets under $350,000 to support community-level efforts to dismantle discriminatory systems and promote inclusivity. Learn more and apply here! To see examples from 2022 grantees, click here. Deadline: Grants are accepted on a rolling basis.
- LabCorp Charitable Foundation Grants (Application Deadline: Rolling-basis): The foundation supports programs like food pantries, healthcare services for underserved populations, STEM education, and initiatives promoting healthy lifestyles. U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status or equivalent are eligible to apply, focusing on health and welfare, education, or community development. Grant reviews take place in March and September.
- Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions (Application Deadline: Rolling-basis): Offers grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting children, education, and health services in its communities. Applications are reviewed within 4–6 weeks, focusing on community impact, measurable outcomes, and financial planning. Local donation requests must be handled directly with warehouses.
- Whole Kids Grants Salad Bar Grant: The Salad Bars to Schools grant program is donating salad bars to U.S. schools to allow kids to have daily access to fresh fruits and vegetables. To learn more and apply, click here. Applications accepted year round.
- Greater Washington Community Foundation Health Equity Fund: The Health Equity Fund offers grant opportunities for demonstration projects consisting of two or more partner organizations working collaboratively to implement economic mobility models that increase strategic economic participation and build community wealth for people and communities with the greatest economic and health disparities. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through March 2026 (or until funds have been exhausted).
- The W. K. Kellogg Foundation — Accepts healthy kids and community/civic engagement grant applications throughout the year with no submission deadline.
- Nonprofit, Interest Free, Micro Bridge Loan Account (NIMBL) — This interest-free, micro bridge loan program and fund supports the operations of nonprofit entities. The program is administered by the Maryland Nonprofit Development Center and the Maryland Department of Commerce. The program provides short-term financing support to qualifying nonprofit entities between the award date of a government contract and the actual receipt date of those awarded funds. Application accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.
Grant Opportunities for Food Businesses & Farms:
- The Maryland Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center, has launched the first round of Business Builder sub-awards to support small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught marine enterprises. With $10 million available, awards ranging from $15,000 to $100,000 will fund projects in three tracks: equipment acquisition, business development, and product and market expansion. Applications are open from February 24 to April 7, with awardees announced in July and projects beginning in August. To assist applicants, the Center has released a pre-recorded webinar and will host four live informational sessions in March. To learn more and apply, click here. Deadline to apply is April 7, 2025.
- County Cost Share Grants: (MARBIDCO and OAG) Agricultural Cost Share Reimbursement (ACRE) Program ACRE provides matching grant cost-share assistance to farmers for agricultural business projects that improve, expand and increase the profitability of the agricultural enterprise. Examples of agricultural projects that may be eligible for this program include but are not limited to: deer fence, agricultural well, vertical racks for microgreens, farm equipment and tools, hydroponics equipment, aquaponics equipment and refrigeration.
- USDA FSA Microloans: Loans of up to $50,000 for down payment on land, buildings, projects, equipment, and several other approved uses. For farmer land owners and also for farm operators (non-owners).
- Farm Storage Facility Loan Program: Eligible facility types include grain bins, hay barns, bulk tanks, and facilities for cold storage. Drying and handling and storage equipment is also eligible, including storage and handling trucks. Eligible facilities and equipment may be new or used, permanently affixed or portable.
- Financing, Technical Assistance, and Grants to Help DC Food Businesses Expand Economic Prosperity – Nourish DC provides a range of technical assistance services to help entrepreneurs take their new and existing businesses to the next level including: one-on-one consulting, short-format seminars/ webinars/ trainings, access to a kitchen incubator, mentoring, and cohort-based intensive training. Click here to learn more.
- Maryland Dept of Ag, Water and Power Grants for Urban Farms Maryland’s Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program is now accepting applications for its Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grants. Approved by the Maryland General Assembly in 2022, this financial assistance program provides the department with up to $500,000 in annual funding through Fiscal Year 2027 to help urban farms and community gardens purchase and install equipment to access water and electricity needed to sustain their operations. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis as long as funds remain available. To qualify for this grant, you must produce a farm product that generates a minimum of $1,000 in sales or donations annually. Eligibility for this grant is limited to operations located in urban areas as defined by the United States Census Bureau and any incorporated municipality recognized by the State of Maryland. Please click the interactive map link to determine if your property meets the location criteria. Info here. Grant applications will be accepted as long as funds remain available.