The application period for the 2025 Food Forward grants is now OPEN. To apply, click the button below. You can find the office hours schedule and other details below. If you have any questions, please contact FoodForward@regionalfoodbank.net.
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Register for an Open Office Hour (via Zoom):
2024 FoodForward Overview, including a list of all grant winners.
Email us to get your questions answered.
Applicant Tutorial (written form)
Announcement from our CEO
Dear Colleagues & Community Partners:
At the Regional Food Bank, everything we do is rooted in partnership. We know that ensuring equitable food access across such a diverse region is only possible through strong local collaborations. We deeply value our agency partners and have immense respect for their tireless dedication to serving their communities.
In this time of growing need, we are more committed than ever to supporting grassroots expansion and innovation. We are excited to listen, learn, and collaborate to make an even greater impact together.
With this in mind, we are excited to announce that FoodForward is returning for a second year. Designed to fund innovative solutions, build local capacity, and help partner agencies support their communities, this grant is open to all Regional Food Bank partner agencies and programs.
This year, the FoodForward grant will provide funding of up to $50,000 for each selected partner organization.
There will be two separate applicant group considerations:
• Agencies with budgets exceeding 500k.
• Agencies with budgets under 500k.
Applicants must submit a detailed proposal outlining their innovative idea or project aimed at improving food distribution, storage, or access for individuals facing food insecurity. Proposals must show a clear plan for utilizing the grant funds to enhance the organization’s ability to serve its community. Applicants must explain how their proposed innovation can reduce food insecurity and improve food distribution efficiency.
We’re taking a special focus on how your proposal directly impacts your community. You’ll see small changes to the application which reflect this focus. Please take the time to determine how what you are doing is directly impacting the community you serve.
Our Programs team, led by our Chief Program Officer Michael-Aaron Poindexter and our Director of Network Services Stacy Dedring, will once again use a process that is equitable, fair and simple. We don’t want to put too much strain on valuable resources already stretched to the max.
As we navigate these challenging times, our collective effort is more crucial than ever. Food insecurity is escalating in all the communities you serve. We know that all of you see that pantry lines are growing longer and that uncertainty and fear is rampant in our neighbors in need.
We also know that working together, we can help many of our neighbors in need.
Thank you for all you do!
In service, I am
Tom Nardacci
CEO