Community Food Solutions (CFS) Mini Grants

Community Food Solutions (CFS) Mini Grants is sponsored by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. CFS Mini Grants fund small, grassroots-led projects focused on increasing food access or utilization in Allegheny County.

United Way supports programs that address food security in our area. Community Food Solutions provides mini grants three times a year to local, grassroots organizations and groups that address food insecurity and have expertise in the unique needs of their neighborhoods. A Community Food Solutions Steering Committee, made up of leading organizations in the field, provides grantees with resource connections and technical assistance.

**What are CFS Mini Grants? ** Community Food Solutions (CFS) provides small grants oof up to $7,5 00 to fund smaller, grassroots-led projects focused on increasing food access or utilization. Your project should be community-led and focused on a specific neighborhood.

Applicants should be connected to the community they plan to serve. Grantees will have access to mentoring and technical support from leading experts in the field, who will help develop, implement and sustain these projects. CFS Mini Grants will be awarded to groups or individuals addressing food insecurity in their communities in Allegheny County.

You do not have to be a registered nonprofit or have a fiscal sponsor to receive funding. Your total organization operating budget must be $750,000 or less. **How can the money be spent?

** Mini Grants can be used to fund project supplies, stipends or wages, and marketing or outreach expenses. The CFS committee will review proposed expenses during the application process. If you are neither a nonprofit nor have a fiscal sponsor, grants will be distributed directly to the vendor providing the goods or service in your proposal.

Funds can not be used to purchase food items. **What types of projects are granteligible? ** We fund a wide variety of initiatives that increase food security in your community, including projects that: * Promote healthy and nutritious food preparation and consumption.

* Increase the effectiveness and sustainability of an existing project or program. * Engage the public in activities that improve food security. * Recreate or scale an existing project for a new audience.

Some examples of projects are: * Food benefits awareness and enrollment campaigns or events. * Farmer’s market outreach campaigns. * Community refrigerator installation.

* Minor facility improve ments and equipment purchases or upgrades. * Hosting community information workshops. * Staff training and certifications.

**Applications, selection and reporting. ** The two-step application process for grant seekers includes: 1. A written application where you will be asked to outline the project, identify the intended audience, describe the specific issue to be addressed and specify the amount requested.

2. A virtual interview where you will discuss your project overview, including timeline, expenses, partnerships, goals and projected outcomes. We will also discuss how Community Food Solutions can help you reach your long-term goals.

Applicants will be notified ten days after the submission deadline whether they will proceed to the interview stage. The selection committee will make a funding decision shortly after interviews. Funding decisions will be made up to three times per year.

You will be asked to complete a final report at the end of the project to describe the outcomes and whether your goals were achieved. You may reapply for funding for a future grant cycle, but you will only be eligible to receive funding once each fiscal year (July to June).