Food Security Fund

The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV), a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Upper Ohio Valley, has launched the Food Security Fund to address the rising levels of food insecurity affecting both West Virginia and Ohio communities. With a founding commitment of $100,000, this fund reflects CFOV’s ongoing investment in regional health and well-being through direct support to nonprofit food pantries. The fund targets the organization's eight-county service area, including Tyler, Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Brooke, and Hancock counties in West Virginia, and Belmont and Jefferson counties in Ohio. The goal is to empower nonprofit efforts in providing individuals and families with consistent access to healthy and adequate food supplies. The grant program’s primary focus is on enabling local food pantries to enhance their capacity to deliver fresh, nutritious foods to those experiencing food insecurity. Recognizing the logistical barriers that many pantries face, the fund places particular priority on projects that address gaps in cold storage, food distribution systems, food sourcing, and community outreach. By improving these operational areas, pantries can offer more frequent and reliable access to healthy food options for individuals and families in need. Congregate dining and hot or prepared meals are excluded from eligibility, reinforcing the fund’s emphasis on regular grocery distribution models as the delivery mechanism. To qualify for this opportunity, applicants must be either tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a faith-based organization, or a government entity such as a school or library. In addition, they must function as a food pantry and serve at least one of the eight counties in CFOV’s defined region. Only one application is permitted per organization within a 12-month period. Moreover, organizations that have recently received funding from a different CFOV program for a similar food security initiative are ineligible to apply during the same cycle. This stipulation aims to ensure the equitable distribution of resources across a broad spectrum of qualifying nonprofits. Grant applications for the current cycle will be accepted from February 2, 2026, through March 10, 2026, with a firm deadline of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested organizations must submit their proposals through CFOV’s online grant portal, hosted by Foundant Technologies. While a preview of the application is available beginning August 11, all submissions must be completed within the designated open period. Each organization may submit only one grant request during the cycle. If technical assistance is needed during the login process, applicants are advised to contact Debbie at CFOV via phone or email. Once the application window closes, all proposals will be reviewed by an advisory committee appointed by CFOV. Selected grantees will receive notification through the grant portal, along with a grant agreement to be signed and submitted online. Funds may be used immediately upon award, and grant reports are due within 12 months of disbursement. Reports can be submitted at any point once the funds have been spent, and the reporting form becomes accessible in the grant portal shortly after the award notification. For questions or additional guidance, applicants are encouraged to contact CFOV directly at 304-242-3144. This grant cycle is not explicitly stated as recurring, but future cycles may be announced based on the fund's replenishment and ongoing need in the region. The initiative represents a targeted investment in the infrastructure of food access, particularly in communities that are disproportionately affected by food insecurity and lack the operational means to maintain consistent food distribution.

Projects that address cold storage, food sourcing, distribution, or outreach gaps are prioritized.