The Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program intends to bring together decision-makers from various sections of the food supply chain in order to encourage awareness of national food security patterns as well as how they could strengthen sustainable agricultural practices.
Recognizing that low-income people have unfair access to nutritionally adequate foods, initiatives are being created to tackle dietary and nutritional deprivation, especially among our country’s most disadvantaged people. Nutritional security is described as having continuous access to nutritious foods and beverages that improve health. Communities situated partly or entirely within Opportunity Zones are especially urged to submit applications.
Types of Grants Offered By Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program
The CFPCGP invites applications for 3 kinds of grants:
Table of Content
Technical Assistance and Training (T&TA)
This is indeed a multi-year grant that can be renewed for a maximum of four years. Candidates demand a budget that is appropriate for the recommended project. The T&TA award is limited to $250,000 per year or $1 million over four years.
There is no requirement for matching funds. The T&TA provider is required to possess broad knowledge and experience as well as a nationwide scope in order to provide CFPCGP candidates soliciting technical support with a one-stop shop.
T&TA provider entities with knowledge in community food as well as nutrition security concerns and initiatives, as well as powerful training experience and competency in objective assessment, are vehemently recommended to apply. This funding is not awarded each year.
Project Planning (PP)
Candidates for Planning Projects (PP) can submit a budget that is proportionate to the recommended project. The average award is around $25,000 for a period of 12 to 36 months. The maximum grant is $35,000 spread over 12 to 36 months.
This grant is only given once. The objective of the PP is to cover initiatives that boost community food security in accordance with the CFPCGP’s major purposes. The PP is responsible for developing a strategy for a productive Community Food Project in accordance with the CFP’s predetermined objectives.
As a result, the planning grant is projected to serve as a template for all facets of the Community Food Projects. PP grantees would be expected to take part in the CPPCGP program assessment. This funding is awarded each year.
Community Food Projects (CFP)
Candidates submit a cost estimate that is proportionate to their proposed project. The median grant is around $298,000 spread out upwards of 36 to 48 months. A single award must not surpass $125,000 in a single year or $400,000 more than a four-year period.
Candidates must equal whatever federal funds that are sought at the moment when the application is filed. The CFP’s mission is to assist the progress of initiatives by providing a one-time injection of federal income to help such projects become self-sustaining.
CFPs develop community-based food developments with priorities, operations, and results that correspond with the top objectives of the CFPCGP. This funding is awarded each year.
Eligibility Requirements for Community Food Projects Competitive Grant
Applicants must satisfy all CFP Purpose and Priorities qualifying conditions as well as be of a qualified entity type. Kindly see below for additional information on these inclusion criteria.
CFP Goals and Objectives
According to the current RFA, all projects should be in line with the CFPCGP’s Purpose and Priorities. Candidates for the CFPCGP should first fulfill each of the conditions defined in the RFA. The following four stringent inclusion criteria are described in detail on page 15 of the existing RFA:
- Have prior expertise in-
- Community food work, especially with small and medium-sized farms, such as food distribution to low-income neighborhoods as well as the creation of new markets for agricultural producers in low-income societies.
- Vocational training as well as entrepreneurship tasks for food-related operations in low-income societies,
- Community attempt to curb food insecurity, such as food distribution, working to improve the accessibility of services, or arranging services and programs.
- Show proficiency in project implementation, fiscal accountability, data collection, and report as well as other documentation preparation;
- Show an eagerness to communicate details with research teams, professionals, and others who are willing to take part; and
- Work with one or maybe more locally based groups to accomplish at least one hunger-free community goal.
Qualified Entity Type
Candidates would have to be a private nonprofit entity in addition to fulfilling the 4 stringent qualifying conditions in Part A of Part III; RFA pages 14 and 15.
A Private Non-Profit Entity is Any non – government company, trust, association, cooperative, or other institution that is run mainly for scientific, instructional, service, nonprofit, or similar public-interest objectives; is not operated for profit; and utilizes its net proceeds to preserve, enhance, and/or grow its operations. Satisfactory proof of non-profit status currently includes:
- A duplicate of an updated Internal Revenue Service form. Certificate of exemption from service tax.
- A statement from a state taxing body, the State Attorney General, or another acceptable governmental agency accrediting that the applicant entity is not for profit.
- A certified copy of the group’s certificate of incorporation or other equivalent record establishing non-profit status, or
Any of the above proofs for a state or national parent organization, as well as a signed declaration from the parent group stating that the applicant entity is a local non-profit associate!
How to Apply for Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program
Although there are no instructions on how to apply for these grants, visit the grant webpage and fill in the information necessary. The issuing agency will contact you after that.
Conclusion
Just private non-profit institutions are able to qualify for CFP funds, but partnerships with both public and private, for-profit organizations are encouraged. Commentors from the food security world will assess requests.
Candidates can demand close to $300,000 for developments lasting up to three years. Demanded CFP funds should be matched dollar for dollar with non-federal capital. Projects must be designed to be self-sustaining after a one-time injection of federal dollars.