Food Security Fund

The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) established the Food Security Fund to address the persistent and growing issue of food insecurity in the Upper Ohio Valley. With an initial commitment of $100,000, the Fund supports nonprofit organizations that provide regular grocery distribution through food pantries in CFOV’s eight-county service area. These counties include Tyler, Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Brooke, and Hancock in West Virginia, and Belmont and Jefferson in Ohio. CFOV prioritizes initiatives that enhance consistent access to fresh and nutritious foods and support local infrastructure like cold storage, sourcing, and food distribution systems. Funding is specifically designated for organizations operating as food pantries, defined as programs that distribute free groceries directly to individuals or families. Grants may not be used for congregate dining, hot meals, or prepared meals. Each organization may submit only one grant application in a 12-month period and may request up to $5,000. Organizations that have received a grant from another CFOV program for food security during the same cycle are not eligible to apply. Eligibility is open to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, faith-based entities, and government organizations such as libraries and schools. The applicant must serve as a food pantry in one of the eight eligible counties listed above. Applications that do not meet these specific geographic and service eligibility criteria will not be considered. The CFOV Food Security Fund accepts applications twice per year. For the 2025 cycle, applications are accepted from August 11 through September 16. For the next cycle, applications will be accepted from February 2 through March 10, 2026. Each cycle closes at 4:00 PM on the final date. Grants are reviewed by the CFOV advisory committee, and funding decisions are communicated following the close of each cycle. Approved applicants will receive funding within 30 days of the cycle’s deadline and are required to submit a grant report within 12 months of the award. Reports can be submitted once funds are fully expended and are accessible through the CFOV grant portal. The application is hosted on Foundant Technologies and requires login credentials. The application questions focus on project alignment with the Food Security Fund's goals, organizational mission, budget justification, sustainability, fresh food sourcing and distribution strategies, and anticipated outcomes. Scoring is based on five areas: project narrative, budget narrative, objectives and methods, impact and evaluation, and discretionary review. For assistance with the online application, contact Debbie at 304-242-3144 or debbie@cfov.org.

Applicants are encouraged to be concise, avoid repetition, and seek review before submission. Use preferred file types; do not upload photos.