The Food Security Access Fund

The Food Security Access Fund is sponsored by The Tepper Foundation (in collaboration with the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate and other funders). A collaborative effort to address food insecurity in New Jersey by building the capacity of local nonprofits to access public and private funding, and supporting projects that strengthen the food ecosystem.

New Food Security Access Fund Announces First-Ever Grant Recipients New Food Security Access Fund Announces First-Ever Grant Recipients FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2024 Media Contact: media@tepperfoundations. org New Food Security Access Fund Announces First-Ever Grant Recipients Funders across New Jersey pool dollars to help 16 local nonprofits strengthen the food system SHORT HILLS, N. J.

(April 3, 2024) - Today, the Food Security Access Fund announced the recipients of their new fund to address growing levels of food insecurity throughout the state, led by The Tepper Foundation and created in collaboration with the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate.

This first-of-its-kind initiative in New Jersey is funded by The Tepper Foundation, the Community Foundation of New Jersey , Novo Nordisk, The Taub Foundation , the Grotta Fund for Older Adults , The Campbell’s Foundation , The O’Toole Family Foundation and The Schumann Fund for NJ . The federal government grants millions of dollars each year towards food and nutrition.

However, due to staff capacity and other limitations, many nonprofits don’t apply for or are unsuccessful in pursuing these and other public funds.

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 New Jersey’s 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.

The first-ever recipients include: Grant Navigator Support recipients: The Food Bank Network of Somerset County Ironbound Community Corporation MEND Hunger Relief Network Jewish Family and Children’s Services Capacity Building Support recipients: Food & Health Equity Coalition Mercer County Food Security Leaders Princeton Mobile Food Pantry Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) This timely program comes as New Jersey faces growing levels of food insecurity.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was reported that the cost of groceries increased 13. 1% between July 2021 and 2022 – the fastest annual pace since 1979. The number of people without enough food over one seven-day period spiked by 89% throughout the state.

“The Tepper Foundation has long been committed to addressing food insecurity in New Jersey. We created this collaborative fund to bring together the philanthropic community to address a challenge many local nonprofits face: accessing grants that could make a real difference for New Jersey communities,” said Randi Tepper, CEO of The Tepper Foundation.

“We’re excited to see these organizations receive additional support tapping into federal dollars, helping strengthen New Jersey’s nonprofit sector and improving food security in our state.

” About Food Security Access Fund: The Food Security Access Fund was launched in 2023 to strengthen the food security system in New Jersey, uniting private philanthropies and New Jersey state agencies via a partnership with New Jersey’s Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA). The fund is housed within the Community Foundation of New Jersey and pools funding from philanthropies across the state.

The fund offers two types of 2-year grants to help nonprofit organizations build capacity and secure more public grant opportunities. About The Tepper Foundation: The Tepper Foundation is a family foundation that supports effective organizations in New Jersey and across the United States.

Through these grantee partnerships, the foundation works to meet people’s basic needs like food and housing; provide relief in the face of disasters; support the Jewish community; safeguard rights; and strengthen the nonprofit sector. Founded in 1996 by David Tepper, the foundation has supported grantees with hundreds of millions of dollars in direct support since its inception and continues to expand its giving. Learn more at www.

tepperfoundation. org .