Grant Opportunities for Food Assistance & Non-profit Partners
- Wheaton Access Program – The Wheaton Community Access Program (WCAP) will distribute a total of $75,000 in in-kind assistance towards the reduction of permitting costs for use of local government facilities and venues, specifically: Marian Fryer Town Plaza, Wheaton Veterans Park and Community Use Conference Room. Submission Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through June 30, 2024 or earlier contingent on funding availability. Applications should be submitted at least 14 business days prior to holding the planned event. Online Grants Application Platform: https://mcmdgrants.smapply.org/ . Program Page:https://mcmdgrants.smapply.org/prog/wcap
- Greater Washington Community Foundation Health Equity Fund: The Health Equity Fund is offering grant opportunities for demonstration projects that provide proof of concept and determine potential for scalability. The projects must consist of two or more partner organizations working collaboratively in a new and targeted way 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).
- Whole Kids Grants Salad Bar Grant: Kids with access to a salad bar in their school cafeteria not only put more fruits and veggies on their plates, they actually eat them! The CDC reports that kids with access to a salad bar consume 33% more fruits and vegetables. 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
- Whole Kids Get Schools Cooking Grant: The Get Schools Cooking Grant was created to support medium-sized school districts in the U.S. who are eager to transform their school lunch programs from processed foods to scratch-cooked meals. To learn more and apply, click here. Application closes mid 2024.
- Food is Medicine (FIM) Request for Proposals – AHA awards are limited to project PIs that hold a doctoral-level degree and are associated with eligible institutions, including U.S.-based non-profit institutions, including medical, osteopathic, and dental schools, veterinary schools, schools of public health, pharmacy schools, nursing schools, universities and colleges, public and voluntary hospitals and others that can demonstrate the ability to conduct the proposed research. For individuals associated with for-profit institutions, community-based organizations, or other non-eligible entities, there are opportunities to partner with eligible PIs in conducting this research. For those interested in connecting with project PIs, please complete the form at this link (Food is Medicine Practitioner Form (office.com), and a member of the team will follow up with you.
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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:
- 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).
- MARBIDCO Grants: Several grant programs to apply to, for cold storage, aggregation, urban ag, and more! Typically with a match.
- 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.