Seeds of Sustainability Grant Program

The Seeds of Sustainability Capacity Building Grant Program is an initiative designed to support nonprofit organizations in strengthening their internal operations and expanding their impact, with a focused commitment to food system transformation. Administered by the Western New York Foundation, the program seeks to provide targeted capacity-building support to small and mid-sized nonprofits working on food systems at the local and regional level. Funding is intended to help grantees enhance internal capabilities so they can deliver services more effectively and grow sustainably over time. The program is designed for 501(c)(3) organizations that have a demonstrated commitment to food systems transformation. At least 90% of the applicant’s work must directly address this sector. To qualify, organizations must also be small to mid-sized, with annual operating budgets between $100,000 and $6,000,000, and must have filed at least three years of Form 990s (excluding postcard filings). This eligibility profile ensures that funds are directed toward organizations with an established operational history and sufficient scope to benefit from strategic investment in infrastructure and capacity. Funding through the program may support a wide variety of capacity-building activities. These include strengthening leadership through the development of strategic priorities and board/staff development, fostering partnerships that expand service reach and deepen community impact, and enhancing communications to raise visibility and attract resources. Additionally, support may be used to promote excellence in program design and evaluation, stabilize organizational financials through resource development strategies, and improve day-to-day administrative, technological, and operational functions. The grant process is structured with a pre-application step. Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) opened on December 5, 2025, and must be submitted by January 28, 2026. Applicants whose LOIs are selected will be notified by February 11, 2026, and invited to submit a full application. The final application deadline for invited proposals is March 4, 2026. Site visits for shortlisted applicants are scheduled for April 2026, with final funding decisions expected in May 2026. This multi-stage process allows the funder to assess organizational readiness and alignment before proceeding to a full proposal review. Applicants are advised to ensure that they align strongly with the funder’s mission to drive systemic change in food systems and demonstrate clear capacity-building needs. Preference may be given to projects that promote long-term organizational resilience and demonstrate a clear plan for sustaining improvements beyond the grant period. While no matching funds are required, a compelling narrative that articulates the intended impact of the grant and the organization's readiness to implement improvements is expected. Inquiries regarding the grant program can be directed to [email protected] or (716) 839-4225. The Foundation’s office is located at 2495 Main Street, Suite 464, Buffalo, NY 14214. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin the LOI process promptly and review the full eligibility criteria to ensure compliance before submission.