Massachusetts Food and Nutrition Grants

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Lawrence area of Massachusetts that focus on essential needs like food security, clothing, shelter, and adult education, particularly benefiting the city of Lawrence.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont for various charitable activities, including capital projects and youth campership programs.

This grant provides $25,000 to nonprofit organizations serving the Latinx community in Greater Boston, focusing on improving basic needs and economic mobility.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations focused on improving nutrition and wellness in low-income communities within the Greater Boston area and Gateway Cities, particularly those with annual budgets of $5 million or less.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community groups in Brookline, Massachusetts, to enhance access to essential services and emergency assistance for individuals and families, particularly those from marginalized communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island that support programs and initiatives benefiting children and families in the community.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and government organizations in selected Massachusetts communities to improve health outcomes, address mental health issues for girls, reduce health disparities, enhance housing stability, and implement innovative health solutions.

The Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program seeks to ensure that farmers, commercial fishermen, and other local food producers are better engaged with a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate food supply and distribution disruptions, as well as to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have equitable access to food, with a focus on food that is produced locally. Donor Name: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Projects to enhance equitable access to food for individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth, with a focus on food that is produced locally. The FSIG program (“Program”) also seeks to ensure that farmers, fisherman, and other local food producers are better connected to markets in a strong, resilient food system, and that they have the infrastructure needed to produce and distribute healthy food efficiently and safely. Providing greater, more equitable access to local food and strengthening the role of local food in the Commonwealth’s food system is an important goal of the Program. Local food is defined through this Program as food which is grown/produced and distributed within the Commonwealth. The local food system is a network of consumers, workers, businesses, owners, and supporting organizations engaged in an array of activities, including fishing, farming, preparing, marketing, distributing, serving, and eating food. This network works to produce and distribute food that nourishes the communities, sustains businesses and workers, and supports responsible stewardship of the land, water, and other natural resources. Funding Information Part I: Agriculture Maximum funding per applicant $500,000. Part II: Local Food System Maximum funding per applicant $500,000. Grant Period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Eligible Projects  Eligible projects must be capital improvements including the purchase of equipment and contracted labor costs in order to implement projects, or costs associated with planning and design directly related to capital projects that will allow applicants to strengthen and improve the resiliency of the Commonwealth’s food system while allowing greater access to fresh, local food in a way that addresses systemic inequities. Eligibility Criteria  Applicants may be individuals, for-profit, or non-profit entities. Municipalities and other governmental entities may also be eligible to apply, provided all necessary requirements to submit an application can be met, the ability to utilize funding can be demonstrated, and the entity has the ability to enter into a contract with MDAR. For more information, visit MDAR.

The Boston Cultural Council offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to small and mid-sized organizations, including nonprofits, unincorporated entities, and artist collectives, that provide arts, cultural, and creative programming in Boston, with the aim of fostering a vibrant, creative, and just city.

This program provides matching funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts for projects that preserve and enhance the history and experiences of veterans.

GrowBoston is offering a total of $20,000 for community gardens and food forests to purchase tools, equipment, seeds, seedlings, compost, and other garden supplies for communal use. Donor Name: GrowBoston State: Massachusetts City: Boston Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: These supplies must be stored and maintained by the garden organization and made available to all gardeners.  The purpose of this grant program is to invest in Boston’s community gardens and food forests and assist residents to grow their own food. Eligible Uses of Funding This grant is for the purchase of tools, equipment, seeds, seedlings, compost, and other garden supplies for communal use. Up to 10% of the grant budget can be for indirect/administrative costs or a fiscal sponsorship fee. The following expenses are not allowed using City of Boston operating budget grant funds: gift cards, rent, utilities, alcoholic beverages, fundraising or lobbying activities, and/or salaries of staff not involved with directly delivering the program. Eligibility Criteria  Recipients must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit or a community-based organization partnering with a fiscal sponsor that is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. No grants can be awarded to individuals or for-profit businesses. For more information, visit GrowBoston.

The Bliss, Gross, Horowitz Fund, established at the Rhode Island Foundation, supports charitable Jewish community organizations located in and serving the greater Providence area. Donor Name: Rhode Island Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information Generally, grants for this program will range from $5,000 to $10,000. Eligibility Criteria Proposals from eligible organizations should meet one or more of the following criteria: Projects that seek to develop connections between the Jewish community and all Rhode Islanders, including community service projects led by Jewish organizations; Projects that seek to deepen understanding of Jewish life and culture through scholarship and historic preservation; Projects that provide basic human needs such as food, clothing, housing or prescription assistance; and Projects that support the organizational development of Jewish institutions, including strategic planning, board development and program evaluation. A scope of work must accompany all capacity building requests. Projects must be non-sectarian in nature and designed to reach beyond an institution’s core constituency. Capital requests will not be considered. Criteria The Foundation will use the following criteria in making funding decisions: Proposal has clearly stated goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes; Organization has the capacity to implement the proposal; Proposal outlines a clear sustainability plan; and Organization must be located in and serving the greater Providence area. For more information, visit RIF.

The second round of the 2024 Boston Athletic Association Gives Back Grant Program is open for applications. Donor Name: Boston Athletic Association State: Massachusetts County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The B.A.A. Gives Back Grants launched in 2023, with 32 organizations in Massachusetts having benefited since its inception. To date, the program has awarded $400,000 state-wide to nonprofits that advance the B.A.A.’s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running, in order to build healthy communities. Funding Information Grants from $5,000-$15,000 are available. Eligibility Criteria The competitive application process is open to all nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria: Organization is a registered 501(c)(3) or a public agency.  Organization is not political.  The organization’s program advances the B.A.A.’s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running, in order to build healthy communities. The organization is located in and serves residents of Massachusetts. Organizations are eligible to receive funding once per calendar year. For more information, visit BAA.

This grant provides funding to Massachusetts schools and early education programs to promote food literacy and local food sourcing through initiatives like school gardens, cooking classes, and educational field trips.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Worcester County for projects that enhance arts, basic needs, economic opportunities, health, and youth development.

The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP) is a reimbursement grant program aimed at supporting produce and aquaculture operations to enhance their food safety practices. The program's primary goal is to minimize microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses risks, thereby expanding market access for the operations. To be eligible, applicants must be produce or aquaculture operations as defined, own or lease the property for the project, be legally recognized within the Commonwealth, and have been managed as a commercial enterprise for at least three years prior to application. Applications are due by May 24, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The grant encompasses a comprehensive review process, including a Request for Response (RFR) outlining grant criteria, timelines, and expectations. Award decisions will be based on these criteria, and successful applicants will enter into a grant agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), with reimbursements made upon project completion and submission of required documentation.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Massachusetts and New York that support young individuals facing intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, or substance use disorders, with a focus on historically marginalized communities.

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is seeking applications for the 2024 Community Grant Program for Arts & Creativity, Basic Needs, and Economic Opportunity projects. Donor Name: Greater Worcester Community Foundation State: Massachusetts County: Worcester County (MA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 6/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program is designed to be responsive and flexible and utilizes many trust-based philanthropic principles. They strive for this approach to take less total time for applicants, be more interactive, and provide a different method for storytelling. Focus Areas Arts & Creativity – Building and supporting a diverse and strong arts & culture ecosystem where all belong. Basic Needs – Working to ensure all residents of community have food and shelter. Economic Opportunity – English Language Learning programs and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs. Funding Information Grant range is $2,500 – $25,000. Eligibility Criteria Types of Organizations  501c3 nonprofits, or any entity operating under a fiscal sponsorship of a 501c3. Collaboratives and coalitions with a fiscal sponsor and identified project lead. Houses of worship running community-serving programs that are not faith based and do not proselytize. Large multiservice institutions applying for well-aligned discrete projects. Geographic Location & Service Area  Based in Worcester County and serve primarily its residents. Not based in Worcester County but have a meaningful physical presence. Providing an unduplicated service in Worcester County and can demonstrate they have authentic partnerships and relationships with local stakeholders. Selection Criteria Projects will be assessed in the following areas: Feasibility- the budget and proposed work match and are doable within grant range. The level of access and barrier reduction for residents of Worcester County that is created. How much of a creative or innovative solution to a pressing community need(s) the project or program is. Measurable and manageable goals and outcomes that are aligned with one or more of expressed focus areas. Organizational commitment in the areas of equity, community voice and systems disruption. Are sound organizations with strong financial and governance functions. For more information, visit Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

This grant provides over $1 million to local nonprofit organizations in specific Massachusetts counties to support a wide range of community-focused initiatives, including human services, social justice, education, healthcare, and environmental efforts.

This grant provides multi-year funding to nonprofit organizations that deliver gender-specific programs and services aimed at improving the lives of at-risk women and girls in Essex County, Massachusetts.