Newman's Own Opens $1.4 Million Food Justice Prize for Youth-Serving Orgs

The Newman's Own Foundation has opened applications for its Food Justice for Kids Prize, a $1.4 million initiative that will award up to 14 grants of $100,000 each to organizations fighting childhood food insecurity. Applications close April 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET.

The prize is co-funded by four partners — Newman's Own Foundation, Humanitix, The Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and the Hunger to Health Collaboratory — each backing specific focus areas within the broader food justice mission.

Two Focus Tracks

Applicants must choose between two tracks. Indigenous Food Justice supports projects advancing food sovereignty and Indigenous food systems, with up to five grants available from Newman's Own and Humanitix. Nutrition Education and School Food targets programs addressing healthy eating, school meals, and local food integration in educational settings, also with up to five grants.

Two additional awards from The Henry P. Kendall Foundation are reserved for New England-based organizations, and two from the Hunger to Health Collaboratory focus on policy-driven projects.

Each grant provides $50,000 in year one, with the opportunity to apply for an additional $50,000 in fall 2027 — creating a meaningful two-year funding runway for organizations that typically operate on thin margins.

Who Qualifies

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, federally recognized Tribes, Indian Tribal governments, public schools and school districts, or organizations working through a fiscal sponsor. The common thread: programs must primarily serve children under 18.

The application requires SMARTIE goals and a project budget using the foundation's template, submitted through the JustFund.Us portal. Finalist interviews are scheduled for the week of August 10, with winners announced in September or October.

Youth-serving organizations exploring food justice funding can find additional foundation opportunities through Granted.