Thriving Communities Grant

The Thriving Communities Grant, administered by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, is designed to support organizations and initiatives focused on building healthy, thriving communities within Southern Arizona. The funder, a well-established nonprofit serving Pima, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz counties, seeks to uplift community-based efforts through financial support for a variety of project types. The grant aims to address systemic food insecurity and health inequities by investing in projects that strengthen local food systems, support emergency food distribution, and provide community education around food access, health, and nutrition. Eligible applicants include a diverse array of groups such as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, schools, churches, and mutual aid or community collectives. All eligible applicants must operate with an annual budget under $1 million and must conduct their work in one or more of the five designated Southern Arizona counties. Groups lacking 501(c)(3) status may apply with a fiscal sponsor, and sponsorship through the Community Food Bank’s Avanzando LLC is available on a limited, needs-based basis. Groups affiliated with larger tax-exempt entities (e.g., universities or church networks) may be ineligible if their parent organization exceeds the $1 million budget threshold. The grant provides up to $20,000 for individual organizations and up to $50,000 for collaborative projects involving two or more organizations, provided they submit signed Letters of Commitment. Funding can be used for a wide array of project types including infrastructure improvements, training, education, advocacy, pilot programs, evaluation, and more. However, there are limitations on food and other single-use supplies, with a general cap of 10% of the total budget allowed for such items. The Community Food Bank maintains alternative channels for food procurement and encourages applicants with primary food needs to explore formal partnership opportunities. Applications are accepted annually through an online portal beginning at 9:00 AM on the second Wednesday of October and closing at 6:00 PM on the second Wednesday of December. Funding decisions are communicated via email by the end of March, and award checks are typically mailed by the end of April. However, returning grantees from the previous year must complete their final reports and submit new grant agreements before receiving their current award. All applications and required submissions are processed through the Grant Interface system. The strongest proposals will clearly articulate a community need, specify the project's goals and anticipated impact, involve beneficiaries in planning and implementation, and demonstrate how the initiative’s benefits will be sustained beyond the grant period. Priority is given to projects located outside the Tucson metro area, recognizing higher food insecurity rates in rural areas. Projects are expected to be completed within one year, though extensions may be requested. The grant program offers optional workshops and information sessions during the application window, including a Grant Writing 101 course and a dedicated info session on the Thriving Communities Grant. Supporting documents such as an application preview, FAQs, and a collaborative application letter template are made available to assist applicants in the submission process.

Clearly articulate need, show beneficiary involvement, and describe how project impact continues post-funding.