Official Site of The State of New Jersey

USDA opened applications for the FY26 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, with up to $18 million available nationally. Awarded grants will range from $100,000 to $500,000 and support projects that increase the availability of local foods in Child Nutrition Programs (e.g., National School Lunch Program meals or meals served through the Child & Adult Care Food Program [CACFP]), connect children to the source of their food, and expand hands-on nutrition education. A 25% funding match is required.

This grant can be used to launch new farm to school/child care initiatives or scale existing efforts, with activities including:

• Sourcing and serving more local foods in school and child care meals
• Establishing and maintaining school and child care gardens
• Supporting farm and garden-based nutrition education
• Conducting taste tests and farm field trips
• Expanding relationships between schools, child care entities, farmers, and communities

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST
• Anticipated Award Date: June 2026

Resources

• Learn more on the Request for Application (RFA) webpage
• Download the full RFA and templates from the 'Related Documents tab on Grants.gov
• Explore Grant Applicant Resources
• View past awardees
• Apply Today

Eligible entities:

• State agencies (not limited to the State agency administering the Child Nutrition Programs)
• Indian Tribal organizations
• Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operators*
• Local agencies*
• Agricultural producers*
• Groups of agricultural producers*
• 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations*

*all entities marked with an asterisk (*) must apply within a partnership to be considered. A partnership must include three or more entities and at least one of the partners must be a CNP operator/administrator.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/grant/f2s/fy26

The Stanley Creators Fund provides grants of up to $50,000 in unrestricted support to social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and innovators working at the intersection of humanity, sustainability, and possibility. The program is designed to uplift emerging Creators, Builders, and Inventors who reflect the communities they serve and bring optimism to pressing challenges such as climate change, food security, and housing security. Applications are due Friday, Septemer 19, 2025.

Eligibility

The Fund supports nonprofit organizations and the social entrepreneurs affiliated with them who:

• Are deeply engaged in their communities.
• Have developed innovative, tested solutions to urgent challenges.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and the ability to influence, rally support, and share their stories.
• Prioritize equity and inclusion in their operations and service delivery.
• Value partnerships and collaboration across communities, individuals, and brands.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the Stanley Creators Fund framework:

• Create, Build, Invent: Innovative and original approaches to systems change.
• Theory of Change: Clear, impactful, and tested solutions.
• Leadership & Voice: Compelling narrative and ability to influence.
• Project & Capacity: Potential for growth and development with funding.
• Inclusion: Commitment to equity and diverse representation.
• Partnership: Dedication to collaboration and collective impact.

Next Steps:

• Review the Fund guidelines
• Preview the application
• Complete an application

For additional questions email stanleycreatorsfund@stanley1913.com

Eligible entities:

• Individuals that operate or are affiliated with a qualified qualified U.S. 501(c)3
  nonprofit organization. Fiscal sponsors or partner organizations that are 501(c)3 nonprofit
  organizations may also apply.
• Organizations must have an annual operating income of no less than $100,000 and no more than $2,000,000.

https://www.stanley1913.com/pages/stanley-1913-creators-fund-2025

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Foot Locker, Inc., through the Foot Locker Foundation, are launching the fifth round of grants for the Community Empowerment Program. This initiative funds nonprofit organizations that connect youth in low-to-moderate income communities with mentorship, education, career development, and health services.

Funding Details

• Program Grants: $25,000–$75,000 (1 year) - Support for current youth programming, the creation of new programs, or expansion of existing programs.
• Capital Grants: $25,000–$100,000 (1 year) - Support for capital improvement projects that enhance the impact of youth programming.

Note: Grants cannot be used to pay for administrative costs (e.g., salaries, overhead). All funds must directly support the proposed project or programming.

Key Dates:

• Application Opens: May 30, 2025
• Informational Webinar: June 12, 2025 (view the presentation recording and slides)
• Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
• Notification of Awards: December 2025
• Public Announcement: February 2026

Next Steps:

• Explore previous grantees projects
• Submit an online application

Eligible entities:

Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that:

• Serve youth in low-to-moderate income communities where opportunities are scarce.
• Deliver programming in mentorship, education, career development, and health services.
• Operate with an annual organizational budget of $5 million or less.
• Employ at least one full-time staff person dedicated to youth programming.
• Can engage local Foot Locker store team members in volunteer activities.
• Are located in Newark, NJ (view the fundng webpage for additional cities outside of New Jersey).

https://www.lisc.org/our-initiatives/sports-recreation/foot-locker-foundation-community-empowerment-program/

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture.

Prioritiy Areas:

1. Plant health and production and plant products;
2. Animal health and production and animal products;
3. Food safety, nutrition, and health;
4. Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment;
5. Agriculture systems and technology; and
6. Agriculture economics and rural communities

$300 million in funding is available for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Funding amounts and durations depend on the project and grant type.

Explore the Funding Opportunity

Eligible entities:

1. State Agricultural Experiment Station;
2. colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees
   or higher);
3. university research foundations;
4. other research institutions and organizations;
5. Federal agencies;
6. national laboratories;
7. private organizations or corporations;
8. individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; and
9. any group consisting of two or more entities identified in a) through h).

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/agriculture-food-research-initiative-foundational-applied-science

The Growing Justice Fund is a collaborative grant program investing across the food system. The fund supports Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant communities in strengthening food chains, expanding good food purchasing, and building local wealth. Grants empower community-led initiatives to secure institutional contracts with schools, hospitals, elder care centers, and other community-serving institutions.

Funding Details:
- Grant Range: $25,000–$250,000
- Planning Grants (up to $25,000): Support early-stage work such as strategic research, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and feasibility studies to lay the foundation for implementation.
- Implementation Grants ($50,000–$250,000): Fund fully developed projects ready to scale, including infrastructure development, support for diverse food producers and hubs, and community-led policy and advocacy efforts.

Priority Areas
- Building infrastructure to connect good food producers, processors, and distributors with institutional markets
- Supporting grassroots organizing and advocacy to advance equitable food procurement policies and practices
- Cultivating traditional food pathways to grow community wealth within and across Tribal Nations

Informational Webinars
Three informational webinars will be held in September for grantseekers. Each session will cover eligibility, how to prepare a strong application, and will highlight one of the Fund’s three priority areas. Applicants are encouraged to attend the session most aligned with their work, but may register for any or all. Recordings will be available to registrants.

- Policy + Organizing: Tuesday, September 9, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
- Infrastructure: Thursday, September 11, 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET
- Tribal Food Systems: Monday, September 15, 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET

Key Dates
August 25, 2025 - RFP Released
October 6, 2025 - Eligibility Quiz Closes
October 14, 2025 - Application Closes
mid-December 2025 - Grantees Selected

For more information and to apply, visit: Growing Justice Fund: 2025 Grant Opportunity
View the Request for Proposals here.

Eligible entities:

•  community-led organizations
• community-based organizations
• Tribal Nations, or the instrumentalities of Tribal Nations, and
• other leaders that are:
  • Actively engaged in a community coalition and/or partnerships to advance good food purchasing practices and policies with institutions in the community
  • Actively engaged in the food chain with values aligned with the Fund and
  •  Committed to transforming the food system by: 1) Working together with other organizations in the food chain or 2) Seeking to build partnerships with other organizations in the food chain.

Only 501(c)(3) organizations, or those with a fiscal sponsor that holds a 501(c)(3) status, will be eligible to receive funding.

https://growingjusticefund.org/apply/ 

Healthy Eating Research (HER), a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is now accepting proposals for its 2025 Call for Rapid-Response Projects. The Rapid Response Grant aims to fund solution-oriented research studies, strategic policy-relevant reports, and evaluations of time-sensitive programs and policy changes. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until all available funds have been awarded.

Key Details

• Application Deadline: Ongoing basis
• Total Funding Available: $200,000

Award Amounts and Duration:

• Issue Briefs: Up to $3,000 for 6 months
• Papers or Research Reviews: Up to $8,000 for 6 months
• Small Studies: Up to $50,000 for 10 months

Research Priorities

• Impacts of federal nutrition program cuts or changes (e.g., participation, outcomes, admin burden)
• Effects of tariffs on food prices and purchasing
• State and local responses to federal nutrition program cuts or waivers
• Impact of immigration policies on nutrition program use by mixed-status families
• Potential effects of 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines changes on nutrition programs
• State-level SNAP waivers restricting sugary drinks and candy
• Industry responses to state and federal nutrition policy changes

Learn More & Apply

• View the Call for Proposals
• Use a proposal template available on HER's website here
• Explore the Frequently Asked Questions for this CFP
• Submit your application via email to healthyeating@duke.edu with the subject line: ATTN: Rapid-Response Proposal

Eligible entities include:

• Public entities or nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3)
• Academic institutions, research centers, public agencies, and community-based organizations are eligible to apply
• Applicants must be based in the U.S. or its territories

https://healthyeatingresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/HER-2025-Rapid-Response-CFP.pdf

Funding Overview:

Black Farmers and Food Business Owners in the Northeast in emergency situations are eligible to receive suppot of up to $10,000. Applications open on a quarterly basis (January, April, July, and October).

Farm damage, unexpected supply chain disruptions, other sudden challenges, and other systemic or acute hardships qualify as emergencies for which the Rapid Response Fund can provide support.

The fund does not cover capacity building, general/regular business expenses, or start-up expenses.

Explore the Rapid Response Fund webpage for additional information. For questions, please contact
rapidresponsefund@blackfarmerfund.com

Eligible Entities :

Black-owned businesses and projects in the food and farming sector (e.g. herbalists, food entrepreneurs, farmers, food educators, and those growing, processing, preparing, or distrubiting food) across the Northeast facing an emergency are eligible applicants.

The Northeast is defined as conducting business in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania.

Businesses and projects that have been serving their communities for at least a year are prioritized.

https://blackfarmerfund.org/rapid-response-fund

Description:

The Black Farmer Fund’s (BFF) mission is to nurture and grow community wealth and health by investing in Black agriculture across the Northeast. BFF is accepting interest form submissions for their BFF 2.0 and future funding opportunities on a rolling basis.

Potential use of funds include operations/working capital, land aquisition, infrastructure development, raw materials, equipment, debts

Businesses will be reviewed on a rolling basis and BFF staff will contact applicants if the project is selected for the next stage of review for funding.

Review the Black Farmer Fund Interest Form for more information. For questions, please reach out to info@blackfarmerfund.com.

Eligible Applicants:

Black-owned businesses and projects in the food and farming sector (e.g. herbalists, food entrepreneurs, farmers, food educators, and those growing, processing, preparing, or distrubiting food) across the Northeast are eligible applicants.

The Northeast is defined as conducting business in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania.

https://blackfarmerfund.org/interestform

Description:
This NOFO is a call to action in response to the mental health crisis in the United States. We seek applications that will study methods to increase access to evidence-based interventions and services for youth mental health, including those living in rural areas, inner cities, and other under-resourced areas, and youth experiencing housing and food insecurities and out-right homelessness. Applications should address research related to optimizing assessment, intervention and service strategies, overcoming challenges related to the workforce shortage, wait lists for treatment, integration of treatment and preventive interventions into settings where people are most likely to be best identified as needing care (eg: schools, social service, pediatric medicine and justice), and service interventions that address systemic barriers to access and quality of mental health care (structural, policy, organizational, value (cost/financing), management).

Eligible Applicants:
State governments
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Special district governments
Small businesses
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
For profit organizations other than small businesses
City or township governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Independent school districts
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
County governments
Private institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility:
Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

More Information >

Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Produce Prescription (GusNIP-PPR)

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) - Produce Prescription Program (PPR) supports projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions to increase procurement and consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce individual and household food insecurity, and reduce healthcare usage and associated costs.

Applicants should conduct projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions to (1) increase procurement and consumption of fruits and vegetables, (2) reduce individual and household food insecurity, and (3) reduce healthcare usage and associated costs.

Non-profit organizations and government agencies are eligible to apply. There is no matching requirements.

Visit the GusNIP-PPR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page to review common applicant questions about eligibility, program policy, program area, and application content.

Eligible Entities:

Applicants to GusNIP programs are encouraged to partner and collaborate broadly throughout the healthcare system and the food system.  Non-profit organizations and government agencies are eligible to apply for the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program.

Funding Overview : This grant is designed to meet the food needs of families with low-income through food distribution, community outreach to assist in participation in federal nutrition programs, or improving access to food as part of a comprehensive service. The funding promotes comprehensive responses to local food, food access, farm, and nutrition issues. It may also meet specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agricultural needs, including needs relating to: equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a project; planning for long-term solutions; or the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

This grant funds two project types: Planning Projects and Community Food Projects. Planning Projects provide early-stage investment in new, startup projects or invest in completing project plans toward the improvement of community food security. Community Food Projects seek solutions for long-term food security rather than short-term food relief. Community food projects build comprehensive solutions to problems across all levels of the food system from farmer to consumer. Community food projects should not be designed to merely support individual food pantries, farmers markets, community gardens or other established projects. Rather, the community food projects should build on these experiences and encourage innovative long-term solutions to food and nutrition security. Of particular note, a 100% match from non-federal sources is required.

Register for and watch the Monday, September 23 Technical Assistance webinar here.

Eligible Entities: Eligible entities include public food program service providers, Tribal organizations, private nonprofit entities, including gleaners, and they must

1. have experience in the area of community food work,
2. demonstrate competency to implement a project and provide fiscal accountability,
3. demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, practitioners, and her interested parties;
4. and collaborate with one or more local partner organizations to achieve at least one hunger-free communities’ goal

Funding Overview: The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund assists a variety of organizations, business models, and capital needs of ventures that process, distribute, aggregate, market, and sell healthy, fresh, and affordable foods to underserved communities and markets.

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project will contribute to food access through the availability of foods for retail sale, either directly or as part of the retail supply chain. Funding should build programmatic capacity, unlock additional sources of capital, catalyze project sustainability, meet financing gaps, and/or enable the next phase of project implementation for deeper impact or reach.

Funding is designed to support catalytic projects that aren’t able to access traditional financing and may be used for predevelopment activities, equipment, construction hard costs, acquisition of land or buildings, and other one-time costs such as community engagement and environmental assessment.

Interested applicants must submit a Funding Inquiry Form prior to submitting an application. To be considered for a grant in Round 1 of the HFFI FARE Fund, Funding Inquiry Forms must be received by October 14, 2024 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, and applications must be received by December 12, 2024. Any Inquiry Forms submitted after the October 14 date and time will be considered for Round 2, and applications for Round 2 are due May 1, 2025.

Explore More Details Here

Submit a Funding Inquiry Form Here

Eligible Entities: Eligible applicants include for-profit business enterprises; cooperatively-owned businesses; tax-exempt nonprofit corporations; institutions of higher education; state and local governments and governmental agencies, authorities, commissions and food policy councils; tribal governments and tribal governmental agencies, authorities, and food policy councils.

*State, local, and tribal governments are eligible for grants and technical assistance, but currently not for loans.

Funding Overview:

The Better Food Policy Fund (BFPF) supports the vital work of food policy councils—local, regional, and tribal groups working across government and community lines to strengthen food systems. Through its Rapid Response Grant Program, BFPF offers one-time, unrestricted grants of up to $15,000 to food policy councils experiencing urgent, unexpected funding disruptions that threaten their ability to operate.

This grant opportunity is designed to provide flexible, short-term support that allows councils to respond to organizational threats such as the loss of grant funding, reduced in-kind support from fiscal sponsors, or emerging legal or convening costs. Funding can be used as the council sees fit to address the identified challenge, and must be spent within 12 months of receipt.

Eligible applicants include food policy councils, networks, or coalitions based in the U.S. or its territories that bring together community and government to advance food policy through civic collaboration.

Key Dates
Deadline to apply: July 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET
Award notifications: August 1, 2025

Next Steps:
- Visit the Better Food Policy Fund: Rapid Response Grant webpage for full eligibility criteria, application instructions, and FAQs
- Send your questions to: foodpolicyfund@gmail.com
- Submit your application here

Eligible Entities:

Eligible groups are food policy councils in the US working to effect better food policy through civic collaboration. These groups meet all the following criteria:

• Councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, regional, or intertribal level;
• Fostering an enabling environment for practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems;
• Joining together community and government; and,
• Can be structured as community groups, government-embedded entities, higher education-embedded entities, non-profit organizations, etc.
• Based in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa

Funding Overview:

Community Impact & Innovation Grants
Shipt is now accepting applications for its 2025 Community Impact & Innovation Grants, which support nonprofit organizations working to ensure that all individuals—regardless of zip code—have access to fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant food.

Key Dates
Application Deadline: June 13, 2025
Informational Webinar: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | 12:30–1:30 p.m. CT | Register Here by May 26th
Apply at: www.shipt.com/grants

Program Focus
Since its launch in 2022, the program has awarded over 60 grants to local nonprofits advancing food access and innovation in their communities. In 2025, Shipt is focusing its investment on two high-impact program models:

• Teaching Farms: Community-based programs that connect residents with sustainable urban agriculture systems, building knowledge, access, and food sovereignty.
• Mobile Markets: Mobile distribution models that bring affordable, nourishing food directly to communities most impacted by food and economic insecurity.

Grant Tiers
To meet organizations where they are in their journey, Shipt offers three tiers of grant funding:

• Seed Grants | Up to $10,000 (1 year) - Launch support for new or early-stage teaching farms and mobile markets
• Growth Grants | Up to $20,000 (1 year) - Scale existing teaching farms and mobile markets through expanded reach or improved infrastructure
• Rooted Grants | Up to $35,000/year (2 years) - Long-term partnerships with established programs, including funding, volunteer support, and co-branded efforts

Learn More and Apply
Apply at: www.shipt.com/grants
Questions? Contact grants@shipt.com
Download the flyer and help spread the word to community organizations advancing food access through innovative programs.

#FoodSecurityForAll #NourishingFood #CommunityGrants #MobileMarkets #TeachingFarms

Eligible Entities:

• Must be an IRS-certified, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt nonprofit organization
• Program/Initiative alignment with Shipt’s grant themes
• Must have a current operating budget
• Must have an organized board of directors

Description:

The J.M. Kaplan Fund is requesting applications for the 2025 J.M.K. Innovation Prize, a funding opportunity designed to support bold, early-stage social innovation in the areas of social justice, the environment, and heritage conservation. With today’s converging crises—climate change, cultural loss, and systemic injustice—the Prize seeks to empower visionary leaders and organizations who are shaping new models for change-making.

1. Heritage Conservation - Protecting the places and traditions that communities care about most.
2. The Environment - Advancing climate solutions for a more resilient, vibrant planet.
3. Social Justice - Working with communities to build a more welcoming and just society.

Since 2015, the Prize has catalyzed 50 groundbreaking initiatives that have preserved endangered languages, transformed environmental challenges into economic opportunities, and organized communities to confront health inequities. The J.M.K. Innovation Prize provides three years of unrestricted funding, mentorship, and hands-on training to help early-stage projects achieve lasting impact.

In 2025, up to 10 Prizes will be awarded, each including:
- $150,000 in unrestricted funding over three years
- $25,000 in technical assistance funds
- Ongoing mentorship, training, and resource network access

Explore the 2025 J.M.K. Innovation Prize webpage to learn more.

Next Steps:
Review the full J.M.K. Innovation Prize 1-pager.
Register for the Info Session on April 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT
Read about previous Innovation Prize awardees
Start your application and submit your first-round application between February 11 – April 25, 2025. (Select applicants will be invited to submit a second-round application in late spring.)
Finalists will present to the J.M. Kaplan Fund trustees in fall 2025, with awardees announced in November 2025.

Award Contact:
Email: JMKInnovationPrize@JMKFund.org

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organizations in the United States. Projects must be early-stage and address a clearly defined need with a game-changing, innovative solution.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to develop a pilot or prototype with Prize funding. Organizations should have been active for fewer than five years and operate with annual budgets under $500,000.

https://jmkfund.org/innovation-prize-2025/

Description:

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is requesting proposals for community-led pilot studies to produce new, actionable evidence about how to help medical, social, and public health systems work together to address forms of systemic racism.

Proposals should focus specifically on systems alignment (SA) interventions that have the potential to dismantle or disrupt the health effects of systemic racism and to positively affect the health and wellbeing of communities that experience systemic racism.

A total of up to five awards will be funded. Awards will be up to 12 months in duration and up to $200,000.

Explore the Systems for Action: Community-Led Systems Research to Address Systemic Racism: Call for Proposals webpage to learn more.

Next Steps:
- Explore the Full Funding Opportunity Brochure
- Register for the Applicant Webinar on February 24, 2025, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. ET. Register here.
- Attend weekly office hours help sessions for applicants through June 3, 2025. View schedule and register.
- Submit your application by June 4, 2025 (3 p.m. ET)

Award Contact:
- Glen Mays, PhD and Carrington Lott, MPH
- systemsforaction@cuanschutz.edu
- https://systemsforaction.org

Eligible Applicants:

Eligible entities include Community Based Organizations in the U.S., including Section 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, local and state government agencies, and tribal organizations, that are actively engaged in serving communities that experience systemic racism.

Preference will be given to applicants that are either public entities or nonprofit organizations.

Research institutions such as universities and contract research organizations are not eligible to serve as lead applicant organization, although they may serve as fiscal sponsors for eligible applicant organizations.

https://www.rwjf.org/en/grants/active-funding-opportunities/2025/systems-for-action-community-led-systems-research-to-address-systemic-racism.html

Cultivating Access, Rights, and Equity (CARE) Grant

The Cultivating Access, Rights, & Equity (CARE) Grant Program seeks partners that can provide community-centered, culturally relevant, and language specific programming. CARE aims to reach workers who need increased access to their work rights, and employers who require information about their obligations and compliance.

CARE grants support outreach, education, and technical assistance by community-based organizations aimed at increasing equitable access to work benefits and protections for all New Jersey workers. The program aims to reach workers who need additional support to understand and access their work benefits and rights, as well as employers in need of information on how to comply with the state’s laws.

Focus populations include low-wage workers; workers of color; immigrants; women; refugees; survivors of domestic/sexual violence; young workers; small- and immigrant-owned businesses; and other employers in need of assistance and helpful resources to engage workers.

$2,500,000 in total funding available with with average awards ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. Proposed projects outside this range will be considerd if the applicant provides justification.


- Submit an Application Interest form by April 1st.
- View this excel spreadsheet for a preview of a budget template in SAGE IGX. Subgrantee budgets should be completed using this spreadsheet, and uploaded to SAGE IGX.
- View questions and answers.
- View the information session from March 12, 2025
- For assistance, email: CAREgrant@dol.nj.gov.

Eligible Entities:

The CARE Grant Program seeks to establish collaborative relationships with trusted community-based organizations throughout the state who demonstrate capacity, experience, and a history of success providing outreach, education, technical assistance and/or support.

Public and private non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, and state-recognized tribal government partners that provide community-centered, culturally relevant programming can apply.

Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG)

Every spring, the NJ Department of Agriculture (NJDA) requests applications for the funding available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to carry out projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, “buy local” programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, and developing cooperatives.

"Specialty crops” are defined as: vegetables and fruits, including grapes for wine, nuts, horticultural products including Christmas trees, honey, herbs, potatoes, sweet corn, and other specialty crops, including algae. Ineligible crops include, but are not limited to: feed crops, food grains, seafood, livestock, dairy, and poultry products, including eggs, range grasses, and oilseed crops.

The NJDA encourages applications that benefit smaller farms and new beginning farmers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities.

Visit the NJDA 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grants webpage
View the full Specialty Crop Block Grant Request for Proposals (RFP)

If you have any questions, contact:
Deelip Mhaske
Grants Administrator, NJDA Marketing and Development Division
609-913-6628
Deelip.Mhaske@ag.nj.gov

Eligible Entities:

Organizations who submit projects that enhance the competitiveness of New Jersey Specialty Crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate and apply as project partners.

Per USDA-AMS guidelines, grant funding will not be awarded for projects whose products or services promote or provide profit that solely benefits a single organization, institution, or individual.

Description:

FEED NJ is a $30 million pilot program awarding grants between $50,000 and $500,000 for innovative projects that strengthen food access and food security in New Jersey’s most acute Food Desert Communities (FDCs).

Explore the FEED NJ webpage for additional information. Projects must primarily serve residents of one or more of the 14 Primary Focus Food Desert Communities (FDCs)

Eligible Entities:

Proposed projects may be new initiatives, an expansion of existing services, or both. A non-exhaustive list of potential projects include the following. Applicants may propose projects not included by this list of examples.

- Establishing, improving, or running a mobile market, food pantry, or co-op.
- Purchasing cold storage or kitchen equipment for small retailers, community groups, food banks, healthcare providers, or emergency food providers.
- Providing technical assistance or equipment to expand nutrition benefits access (e.g., SNAP, WIC, Senior FMNP) at farmers markets, small/mid-sized retailers, or via digital literacy, case management, and online grocery support, including refrigerated delivery lockers (excluding NJEDA FRIDG-covered costs).
- Increasing access to local produce by expanding farmers' markets, launching CSAs, strengthening farmer-retailer ties, or expanding produce delivery.
- Expanding no-cost food services, including meal delivery to homebound residents and related operating costs.
- Advancing food access planning and implementation, such as next steps for an NJEDA Food Security Planning Grant.

Applicants can propose to complete their projects within either 12 or 24 months. A total of between 60 to 100 grant awards are anticipated.

Acquisition of land or buildings, ground-up construction, and major renovations (e.g. construction of an additional floor or an addition to the building footprint) are not eligible costs. All other costs that are incurred after the date of grant agreement execution are eligible. For example, costs can include minor renovation, equipment, installation, salaries and fringe, and rent.

Applications for FEED NJ will open on February 20, 2025 at 10:00 am EST and will close on April 3, 2025 at 5:00 pm. ET. Interested applicants should sign up here to join the NJ EDA email list to receive the latest program announcements and updates!

Applicants must be for-profit or nonprofit entities that have been in existence for at least two years at the time of application. Municipalities and other government entities are not eligible to apply for this grant opportunity.

Entities demonstrating a track record of serving FDC residents and providing programming/services related to food access and/or food security will earn higher scores

https://www.njeda.gov/feednj/

Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Nutrition Incentives (GusNIP-NI)

All National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Requests for Applications are currently under review. Check back for updates or subscribe to NIFA Funding Opportunities for email updates as they happen.

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP-NI) aims to develop and evaluate projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase among income eligible consumers participating in the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Applications may be submitted by governmental agencies and non-profit organizations to support and evaluate projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables.


Total estimated funding available is $36,300,000. A funding match is required.

Eligible Entities:

Governmental agencies and non-profit organizations

Description:

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) is requesting proposals for the Underserved, Beginning, and Military Veteran Farmers Mini-Grant Program. This funding opportunity supports New Jersey specialty crop farmers who identify as Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, or Military Veteran Farmers by providing small grants to enhance production, marketing, and research efforts.

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to selected applicants. Funded projects should focus on increasing specialty crop production, expanding market opportunities, conducting outreach, or advancing research in specialty crop agriculture. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, honey, horticultural products, and grapes for wine. Ineligible commodities include livestock, dairy, poultry, grains, and seafood. If awarded, project activities must be completed between April 1, 2025 – September 29, 2025.

Projects can include activities such as:
-Researching new cultivars
-Providing outreach opportunities on specialty crops to youth, families, seniors, and the overall community
-Marketing specialty crops through a targeted promotional campaign
-Hiring personnel
-Purchasing special purpose equipment
-Holding an educational workshop
-Planting specialty crops
-Distributing product promotional materials

Explore the Underserved, Beginning, and Military Veteran Farmers Mini-Grant Program webpage to learn more.

Next Steps:
- Review the Full Request for Proposals (RFP).
- Explore the FY21 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the General Terms and Conditions that applicants must abide by.
- Use the application template to submit project proposals via email to NJDA.grants@ag.nj.gov on or before Friday, February 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST.

Contacts:
Deelip Mhaske: deelip.mhaske@ag.nj.gov or (609) 913-6628
Billy Conners: william.conners@ag.nj.gov or (609) 913-6620
NJDA Grants Inbox: NJDA.grants@ag.nj.gov

Eligible Entities:

Agricultural producers who seek to develop projects that will increase production, marketing, and research of specialty crops.

Organizations must be majority-owned (51% or greater) by individuals who identify as either Socially-Disadvantaged (including women), Beginning, or Veteran Farmers. Eligibility will be determined by a self-certification process.

Organizations that were previously funded through the program's previous rounds are ineligible.

If you are unsure of your eligibility, please go to the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service webpage for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers.

https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/grants/ufngrants.html

The American Heart Association (AHA) announces a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a planning grant opportunity through its Health Care by Food (HCXB) initiative.

This AHA HCXF Request for Proposals is designed to provide support for the development of a detailed trial protocol and grant to be submitted to a federal agency or other major funder focused on developing and testing ways in which FIM interventions can be an efficacious way to improve health outcomes. Investigators funded through this RFP will be provided with salary and other support over the course of 12 months to optimize and finalize trial design, draft a grant proposal to a federal agency or other major funder, finalize a protocol and manual of procedures, establish a research team, develop tools for data management and research oversight, and prepare other items needed for the submission and conduct of a rigorous trial of a Food Is Medicine intervention. The primary deliverable at the end of this grant period should be a rigorous and highly competitive proposal for funding of >$3M from a government agency.

Explore the Funding Opportunity

Description:

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is requesting proposals for community-driven projects that collect, analyze, and use data to address inequities in the physical, economic, and social conditions of a place. The Urban Institute is the national coordinating center for this program and is collaborating with RWJF on program design, grantee support, and communications.

Proposals should focus on how data can be used to inform policy, strengthen community capacity for data use, promote equitable data practices, and document successful approaches that can be shared with other communities.

A total of up to 30 grants will be awarded. Each grant will provide up to $50,000 for a nine-month project period.

Explore the Local Data for Equitable Communities: Call for Proposals webpage to learn more.

Next Steps:
Explore the Full Funding Opportunity Brochure.
Register for the Applicant Webinar on February 18, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET. Register here.
Submit your application by March 18, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET.

Award Contact:
Leah Hendey and Kathryn Pettit
Email: localdata@urban.org
More Information: https://localdataforequitablecommunities.org

Eligible Entities:
Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations registered as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations based in the United States or its territories. Projects must focus on a specific local geography, such as a neighborhood, city, county, metropolitan area, or tribal area.

Universities are not eligible to apply as lead applicants but may serve as partners on a project in collaboration with an eligible nonprofit. Organizations that require a fiscal sponsor must ensure the sponsor meets the eligibility criteria and is not a university. The fiscal sponsor may charge a sponsorship fee, which is an allowable expense under the award, but the full award amount (minus the fee) must be allocated to the sponsored organization to carry out the proposed activities.https://www.rwjf.org/en/grants/active-funding-opportunities/2025/local-data-for-equitable-communities.html

Funding Overview :
The Northeast Sustainable Research and Education (SARE) Program is offering grants to address systemic/structural barriers to access that disproportionately limit the ability of historically underserved farmer/farming communities to fully participate in SARE programs. This grant program funds projects that create farming and food system opportunities for historically underserved farmers/farming communities and prioritizes work that engages, and is led by, people with experience from those communities. The program seeks projects that will address the needs and serve the interests of groups that have been met with discrimination and other systemic obstacles to full participation in the agricultural system of the Northeast. Total of $3,000,000 to fund projects for this cycle of historically underserved farmers/farming communities grants. Awards can range from $150,000 to $250,000 depending upon a project’s needs, complexity, and duration. Approximately 15-20 awards will be made.

PROJECT TYPES:
A wide variety of topics can be funded by this grant program, including but not limited to:

• The study and/or promotion of culturally appropriate best management practices
• Production of specialty, ethnic, and medicinal crops
• Climate-smart agricultural practices
• Urban and indigenous agriculture systems
• Equitable access to markets for agricultural products
• Equitable acquisition of farming and marketing infrastructure
• Budgeting, financial planning, accounting, tax and insurance management education
• Capacity and relationship building related to sustainable agriculture
• Professional development for producers and/or people that work with them
• Programs supporting mental and physical health for producers
• Improving local and regional food access for underserved communities
• Historically Underserved farming community urban and rural partnerships
• Policy development and community capacity building

HOW TO APPLY:

• For those who require technical assistance to apply, click here: Northeast SARE Historically Underserved Farmer and Farming Communities Grant Program - Intake Form for TA request
• To apply, create an account on SARE’s Grant Management System: Apply For A Grant - SARE Grant Management System

Webinars and Q/A Meetings:

• December 4th 2:00 PM - Meeting Registration - Zoom
• December 10th – 2:00 PM - Meeting Registration - Zoom
  
  PROGRAM CONTACT:
  Email: ne-bipoc@sare.org

Eligible entities include:

1. Business Owner (including farmers!!)
2. Community Group
3. Farm Employee
4. Non-Profit Organizations
5. Tribal Communities

More Information >

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

Funding Overview: The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers can also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. 

Eligible Entities: Agricultural producers with at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations, Small businesses in eligible rural areas. 

Partners for Health Grant Pre-Application

Funding Overview: Partners for Health Foundation provides funding to organizations and communities in two ways.

• General Operating Grants: Can strengthen an organization and its ability to change systems, listen to constituents, advocate for long term policy change, and determine how to measure outcomes incrementally on the journey toward their overall goals.
• Project Grants: To support specific initiatives, projects, and collaborative efforts to shift the conditions that prevent communities from thriving. (Policy, systems and environmental change)

The Pre-Application form is required as the first step in applying for funding from Partners for Health Foundation. Following internal review, organizations will be invited to complete a full application, or notified that their proposal will not be considered. Notifications are scheduled for the end of July.

Eligible Entities: Non-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) public charity designation by the IRS are eligible for grants. Partners for Health also funds local government entities, or small organizations that have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3). Eligible organizations that serve one or more of the following 15 communities: Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Clifton, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Little Falls, Montclair, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange. Statewide organizations that support local coalitions or advocate for statewide policy change to advance health equity and social justice may also be eligible for funding.

CVS Health Foundation Focus on Healthy Aging Program

Funding Overview: The Focus on Healthy Aging (FOHA) initiative is a multi-year philanthropic investment to improve health outcomes for people over age 60. The CVS Health Foundation intends to collaborate with established multi-sector, community-based partnerships working to strengthen systems of care at the local level. This new, five-year initiative will launch in October 2024 in up to five sites nationwide. City- or county-level partnerships will each be awarded $1,000,000 to implement strategies that improve health outcomes for older adults. FOHA defines its priority population as individuals (60+ years) who are at the most significant risk of experiencing negative brain, heart, and/or mental health outcomes. Drivers of risk for this population may include geography (e.g., rurality, vulnerability to natural disasters, poor air quality, and extreme heat), social isolation, race/ethnicity, limited English proficiency, and socioeconomic status. The vision of this initiative is that older adults will experience their stage of life with fair and just opportunities to attain their highest level of mental and physical health.

Eligible Entities: FOHA is intended to support mature collective impact efforts at the local level and recognizes that these efforts are operationalized differently depending on the community context. While being open to different partnership designs, the Foundation is specifically looking for partnerships that include the following components:

• An articulated intention to address challenges that span beyond any single organization’s mission, constituents, and sphere of influence.
• A local backbone agency that coordinates and aligns the work of all partners.
• A regular cadence for bringing together partners to share information, engage in strategic planning, and develop solutions.
• A diverse representation of sectors serving the priority population. For this RFP, we encourage applications from partnerships that include the health care, labor, legal, transportation, housing, social services, and public health sectors.
• A history of working together to serve older adults for at least three (3) years.

Note: the Foundation will not consider applications from universities that propose “multi-sector” partnerships consisting of different schools within a single university system. The Foundation will also not consider applications in which the backbone agency is a national organization.

USDA-AMS Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP) 

Funding Overview: The FLSP program aims to improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency by addressing challenges agricultural employers face with labor shortages and instability. Funding can be used to offset costs of sourcing farm labor, including hiring, onboarding, and other operational expenses associated with U.S.-born and H-2A workers. 

Eligible Entities: Eligibility is limited to domestic agricultural employers who 1) anticipate meeting all Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulatory requirements for the H-2A program, including demonstrated effort to effectively recruit U.S.-based workers and hire all willing, able, and qualified U.S. workers; and 2) commit to, and indicate capacity to fulfill all Baseline Requirements, as well as any selected (elective) worker benefits and protections outlined in Supplemental Employee Commitments sections of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO). This includes fixed-site employers, joint-employers, agricultural associations, and H-2A labor contractors. 

Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production Program (UAIP)

Funding Overview: UAIP funds are issued to projects that support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production, improve access to local foods in areas where access to fresh, healthy food is limited or unavailable through urban and/or innovative agricultural practices, and support multiple farmers or gardeners, impacting underserved areas that are lacking access to fresh, healthy foods, and promote urban and/or innovative agricultural practices with planning and implementation activities. 

Eligible Entities: City/Municipal/County governments, independent school districts, non-profits, native American tribal organizations and governments, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. 

Food Security Access Fund

Funding Overview: The Food Security Access Fund launched in 2023 to strengthen the food security system in New Jersey with a unique approach: bring together private philanthropies and New Jersey state agencies via a partnership with the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) to help nonprofit organizations build capacity and secure more pre-existing public grant opportunities. Funding from the Food Security Access Fund supports these organizations in two ways: 

1. Grant Navigator Support: Human capital support to identify and unlock relevant grants to support their work in building food security.
2. Capacity Building Support: Financial assistance for organizations and coalitions to expand the research, data and evaluation projects that identify new paths to end food insecurity.

Learn more about the inaugural cohort of grantees on the Tepper Foundation site. 

USDA-AMS Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) 

Funding Overview: LAMP funds can be leveraged to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises. 

Eligible Entities: Agricultural businesses and cooperatives, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) networks and associations, Food councils, Economic development corporations, Local governments, Nonprofit and public benefit corporations, Producer networks or associations, Regional farmers’ market authorities, Tribal governments 

USDA-NRCS NJ Community Gardens/Farm Agreement

Funding Overview: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the potential availability of funding for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to encourage collaboration with partners in providing strategic conservation delivery assistance and/or provide tools or data that enhance the ability of the agency to support conservation activities. The overall intent of this solicitation is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities for NJ communities. 

Eligible Entities: City or township governments, County governments, Independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Non-profits, Private institutions of higher education, Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education, Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Special district governments, and State governments