Pennsylvania Food and Nutrition Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is currently accepting applications for grant projects under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program (RFSI). Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The RFSI program will transform the food system to benefit consumers, producers, and rural communities by providing more options, increasing access, and creating new, more, and better markets for small and mid-size producers. To be more resilient, the food system of the future needs to be more diversified, distributed, and local. Funding Priorities The USDA encourages projects that benefit underserved farmers and ranchers, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, veteran producers, and processors and other middle of the supply chain businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals, as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will prioritize funding projects that pertain to the following gaps identified in the middle of the food supply chain in Pennsylvania. Aggregation Points – Aggregation points, include food hubs or farmer cooperatives to help individual producers fulfill bigger orders while saving costs on storage, packaging, and distribution. Food Processing Infrastructure – As Pennsylvanian food processors look to expand their production capacities by adding product types, increasing production volumes, or increasing packaging and labeling capacities for retail product lines, they need to upgrade equipment and often need to move to a licensed space outside of their homes. Food processing infrastructure also includes large-scale commercial equipment. Storage – In Pennsylvania, more storage is needed to hold produce to be washed and distributed. Limited cold storage is available in urban areas. More storage is also needed to segregate and supply identity preserved grains, whole grains, and dry bean for human consumption to processing plants in Pennsylvania. Funding Information Simplified Equipment-Only Grants will range in value from a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $100,000 and do not require cost sharing or matching. The Simplified Equipment-Only Grant is a fixed price grant, meaning it will fund only equipment purchases (and not associated facility upgrades, staffing, or other costs), and the amount awarded will be equal to the cost of the equipment up to $100,000. Funds will be awarded no earlier than July 1, 2024, and projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Eligibility Criteria  The following are eligible to apply for grants under the Program: Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors. Nonprofit organizations operating middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products. For-profit entities operating middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products, whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers and that meet the eligibility requirements of the SBA small business size standards. Local government entities operating middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products. Tribal governments operating middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products. Institutions such as schools, universities or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or investing in equipment that will benefit multiple producers’ middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products. For-profit entities must meet the eligibility requirements of the SBA small business size standards matched to industries described in the North American Industry Classification System. Applicant businesses and organizations must be domestically owned and applicants’ facilities must be physically located within this Commonwealth. Applicants doing business along the Commonwealth’s border should only apply in one state to avoid duplication of Federal funds. For more information, visit PDA.

The 2024 Parks, Fields, Trails Grant, funded by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for capital projects that improve public parks, athletic fields, and trails in Erie County, Pennsylvania, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles, enhance local tourism, and rejuvenate neighborhoods, with a focus on projects that provide social, educational, cultural, health, recreation, and/or economic benefits to residents.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Centre County, Pennsylvania, to support projects that positively impact local youth, focusing on areas like mental health, educational equity, and access to extracurricular activities.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for its Ag Research Grants. Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/07/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Department of Agriculture (Department) is soliciting applications to conduct agricultural research on one or more of the following research topic areas, with the research to be conducted from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, with the possibility, but not the assurance, of extending that research into subsequent years. All funding is contingent upon 2024-2025 budget appropriations. This notice establishes the procedures by which grant applications will be solicited and reviewed, and by which grants will be awarded. Research Topic Areas  Though not exclusive of original research topics, the Department is particularly interested in funding projects in the following areas: Ongoing multiyear research projects. The Department has, in previous years, provided funding for various multiyear research projects that might be continued or extended to complete research the Department identifies as addressing continued priorities of the agricultural industry, such as: Examining the economic impact of pest infestations like Phorid Flies and Spotted Lanternflies and identifying mitigating measures. Measuring the impacts on the Chesapeake Bay on farm management practices that have not received Federal or State Government cost-sharing assistance. Agriculture The Department requests applications for projects that: Gather and analyze food action plans. Study the impact of the Double Up Food Bucks program. Analyze of the Senior Food Nutrition Program and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Study of the surplus food recovery. Validate consumer affairs reporting on PA food prices. Analyze of the TEFAP program. Analyze/survey PA workforce. Study economic impact. Survey carbon community planners. Analyze Urban Agriculture capacity index. Incentivizing urban agriculture land stewardship. Identify current and potential funders for urban agriculture. Identify soil testing and remediation strategies for urban agriculture, particularly how these strategies can be operationalized, their benefits measured and the cost of implementation. Assess the quantity and quality of available on-farm and off-farm housing for agricultural workers, including farm owners. Study barriers to land access, particularly for BIPOC farmers and in rural communities. Energy in agriculture The Department is interested in further scientific study in areas such that: Analyze and map energy generation from agricultural products, plastic products and waste products. Analyze options to reduce greenhouse gases emitted by normal agricultural operations. Identify challenges and opportunities with Agrivoltaics such as gaps, barriers, implementation of panels modified to support Pennsylvania agriculture. Life Science The Department seeks applications that address animal health concerns, such as: Wildlife crop damage. Impacts to states on changing Medicare rules to allow more fresh foods to consumer health. One Health—Proposals that promote humans, the environment, animals, living together harmoniously. Animal Health—Proposals that improve or seek to understand aspects of animal health important to agriculture in this Commonwealth. Diagnosis of Animal Diseases—Proposals that promote the diagnosis of animal diseases that are important to Commonwealth animal agriculture. Animal Productivity—Proposals that seek to improve the productivity of agricultural animals in this Commonwealth. Animal Welfare—Proposals that seek to improve the welfare of agricultural animals in this Commonwealth. Review and recommend Federal Milk Marketing Order recommendations that would be most beneficial to PA dairy industry. Review and recommend alternatives to the current PA Milk Board Over-Order Premium that would be most advantageous to the PA dairy industry. Chronic Wasting Disease strategy development to reduce incidents and (or) live animal test development. Manufacturing The Department requests applications for projects that address: Food production residual waste. Assess incentives needed to increase organic processing. Biodegradable packaging and other environmental factors in selecting food and beverage products. Pharmaceutical or industrial uses for milk proteins or other milk components. Assess conversion of spent mushroom substrate to bio-char on energy and biomass uses and soil amendment uses. Robotic Technology Research what technology farmers use now and what technology they may use in five years. Assess the application and deployment of Augmented Reality on Pennsylvania animal and plant industries. For more information, visit Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Grant Program supports the efforts of local organizations in Pennsylvania conducting grassroots outreach to communities about COVID-19 vaccines. Organizations will work to educate their communities on COVID-19 vaccines to improve usage of the vaccine, and overall, the health and safety of Pennsylvania. This program will engage and provide the necessary funding to community organizations to educate their community regarding COVID-19 vaccination to address hesitancy concerns and barriers. The COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Grant Program is a federally funded program. Applicants will need a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number in order to apply for funding and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to receive funding under the program. To register for a DUNS number please visit Dun & Bradstreet website. To obtain a SAM number, visit the SAM website. Dun & Bradstreet website SAM website For general questions about the program, reporting, reimbursement, or outreach efforts in Philadelphia, visit the Vaccine Outreach Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions webpage. Vaccine Outreach Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions webpage Financial Info: The COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Grant Program supports the efforts of local organizations in Pennsylvania conducting grassroots outreach to communities about COVID-19 vaccines. Organizations will work to educate their communities on COVID-19 vaccines to improve usage of the vaccine, and overall, the health and safety of Pennsylvania. This program will engage and provide the necessary funding to community organizations to educate their community regarding COVID-19 vaccination to address hesitancy concerns and barriers. The COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Grant Program is a federally funded program. Applicants will need a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number in order to apply for funding and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to receive funding under the program. To register for a DUNS number please visit Dun & Bradstreet website. To obtain a SAM number, visit the SAM website. Dun & Bradstreet website SAM website For general questions about the program, reporting, reimbursement, or outreach efforts in Philadelphia, visit the Vaccine Outreach Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions webpage. Vaccine Outreach Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions webpage

The Pennsylvania Shooting Range Improvement Grant Program is designed to provide financial support to Pennsylvania’s aging shooting range infrastructure. Donor Name: Pennsylvania Game Commission State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 5-10 Years Details: The purpose of the SRIP grant is to bring life into aging infrastructure while creating opportunities for more access for new members. The PGC is proud of state’s hunting and shooting heritage and is here to work together to ensure the future is bright for the next generation. Many states have been leaders in the development of ranges on state-owned properties for several years. According to those states, agency range development has been beneficial in many ways including: Increased use of state lands. Decreased firearms-related vandalism in those areas with developed and accessible ranges. Local citizen support and appreciation. Increased generated funds. Enhanced user support of the hunting and shooting sports. Program Goals Increase public access to private and club-type facilities. Enhance shooting range facility availability or quality to the public. Enhance public safety and environmental stewardship. Enhance facilities available for the Pennsylvania Hunter-Trapper Education Program. Provide funding to shooting facilities that have not received grants previously. Program Tiers The Shooting Range Improvement Program will have a tier structure within the application for funding of projects after completion of the one-year pilot program. It will include three separate tiers based on the grant amount and useful life of the project for providing deliverables. Tier One Projects (Pilot year 2024, Max $30,000) will be a grant amount up to $50,000 with a useful life of five years. Deliverables for tier one: PGC signage of program funding  One youth field day per year or two hunter/shooter education classes 10 public days per calendar year (matches, tournaments, sight in days, open house event) Tier Two Projects will be a grant amount between $50,000 to $250,000 with a useful life of 10 years. Deliverables for tier two: PGC signage of program funding. One youth field day per year or two hunter/shooter education classes. 20 public days per calendar year (matches, tournaments, sight in days, open house event). Tier Three Projects will be a grant amount of $250,000 and up with a useful life of 15 years. Deliverables for tier three: PGC signage of program funding. One youth field day. Minimum 3 hunter/shooter education. 25 public days per calendar year (matches, tournaments, sight in days, open house event). Eligible Projects Projects for rifle, handgun, shotgun, skeet, and trap ranges should be designed to standards found in National Rifle Association (NRA) Range Source Book, a Guide to Planning and Construction or the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) website. For archery ranges, design information is available on websites for the Archery Trade Association, the National Field Archery Association, and other organizations. Design may also mirror PGC state game land ranges. Eligibility Criteria  Applicants who are eligible to apply for SRIP grants are existing shooting ranges, shooting clubs, recreational shooting organizations, archery clubs, and education groups. Applicants must demonstrate public use of current facilities. Examples of public use of facilities include public range times, educational outreach/trainings, or organized shooting competitions. Retail ranges are not eligible to apply for this program. For more information, visit Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is excited to announce the Beautification Grant Program. Donor Name: Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau State: Pennsylvania County: Carbon County (PA), Monroe County (PA), Pike County (PA), Wayne County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grant dollars will help fund a variety of projects intended to support and enhance the quality of life in communities throughout the Pocono Mountains. Funding Information Grant cap request: $20,000.00. Uses of funds Grant funds may be used to support projects that: Beautify outdoor areas surrounding local hospitality and tourism businesses throughout the cities, boroughs, and townships in Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon Counties. Improve existing gateways/signage. Improve beautification and facades throughout the cities, boroughs, and townships. Eligible Projects  Eligible projects may include but are not limited to: Landscaping, outdoor seating, planters, trash cans, benches, recycling programs, trash removal, removal of overgrown weeds/brush/trees, upgrade of signage and facades. Eligibility Criteria  Local government including, but not limited to, cities, boroughs, and townships. Municipal and redevelopment authorities and agencies. For more information, visit PMVB.

This grant provides funding to teams of creatives and community members in Massachusetts to explore and develop public art projects that promote spatial and racial justice in their communities.

The Princeton Area Community Foundation's Community Impact Grants offer financial support to nonprofits addressing the needs of under-resourced individuals and communities in specific regions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, prioritizing areas such as food security, homelessness, education, mental health, and community building.

Under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and funded by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Simplified Equipment-Only Grants are designed to support Pennsylvania's food system transformation. These grants, focusing on equipment purchases for small to mid-size producers and processors, aim to diversify, distribute, and localize food systems to enhance consumer access, producer options, and rural community markets. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $100,000, requiring no cost sharing. Eligible equipment expenses include purchase costs, delivery, and installation if included in the official bid. Applications are accepted electronically, with project completion required by June 30, 2026.

The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity, powered by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, is offering grants of $10,000 to $100,000 for one year to Lehigh Valley nonprofit organizations led by and serving BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disability communities, to support programs in leadership development, economic advancement, health and wellness, and stories of Black and Brown excellence and success.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) is offering a grant of $2000 for projects that address urgent, unforeseen situations on designated water trails, with the aim of creating recreational opportunities, supporting sustainable use of natural resources, and improving access to Pennsylvania Water Trails.

Applications are now being accepted for the ​​2024-2025 Ag Conservation Research Grants. Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/07/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Department of Agriculture (Department) is soliciting applications to conduct agricultural conservation research on one or more of the following research topic areas, with the research to be conducted from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, with the possibility, but not the assurance, of extending that research into subsequent years. This notice establishes the procedures by which grant applications will be solicited and reviewed, and by which grants will be awarded. This funding is made available through the Clean Streams Fund Nutrient Management federal ARPA funds. The Department intends to make up to $1,500,000 available for grants under the Program. Research Topic Areas Though not exclusive of original research topics, the Department is particularly interested in funding conservation research projects that are able to do the following: Identify the sources of nuisance emissions in the mushroom industry and best mitigation practices that are applicable to Pennsylvania operations. Quantify emissions from the mushroom industry and measure the impact of best practices that are deployed. Quantify the impact of Manure Treatment Technologies (MTT) on water quality, including traceability of nutrients as they are processed. Additionally, provide recommendations for best available technology and or best practices to improve MTT utilization. Quantify the impact of precision feeding and review implications for nutrient reductions. Quantify the climate benefits of best management practices installed through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program and Conservation Excellence Grant programs (ACAP & CEG). Quantify the ability of non-traditional biomass crops to uptake excess nutrients and or contaminants like PFAS. Design a method in which to quantify the climate impacts of agriculture operations. Additionally, the work should be able to measure the impact of BMP implementation on a farm’s climate impact. Evaluate the nutrient value and traceability of food processing residuals (FPRs). This should consider the movement of material from producer to applicator to farm owner. For more information, visit Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

This program provides funding to non-profits, businesses, and government agencies in Clinton County to promote tourism, develop attractions, and host events that encourage overnight visits and boost the local economy.

This grant provides funding to partnerships and organizations working to improve water quality and habitats in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through innovative practices that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Foundation is now accepting applications for the Community Grant to strengthen nonprofits and enhance programs in the community. Donor Name: Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Foundation State: Pennsylvania County: Chester County (PA), Delaware County (PA), Montgomery County (PA) City: Selected Cities Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Each grant will fund up to $1,000 for a specific project or program needed to make the community a better place. Grants may be used toward the continuation of an existing program or a new initiative. The 2024 Community Nonprofit Grants will focus on programs within these pillars: Education: Empowering students to get the tools they need inside the classroom. Community Impact: Improving the communities in which FMFCU serves. Social Vulnerability: Working to solve challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, disasters and illness. Healthcare: Enabling healthcare institutions to make quality decisions for patients. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations with a 501(c)(3) status and located in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or New Castle counties, West Philadelphia or University City are eligible. For more information, visit FMFCU.

This funding opportunity supports community-led projects in Philadelphia that promote food justice by empowering marginalized groups to access, grow, and sell healthy food in areas with limited fresh food availability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Pennsylvania farmers, agricultural processors, and service providers for adopting innovative technologies and sustainable practices to improve productivity and environmental stewardship.

The Community Fund is an annual grant opportunity hosted by the Philadelphia City Fund in which community organizations are invited to submit proposals for charitable projects that address Philadelphia’s greatest areas of need and align with the City of Philadelphia’s goals to improve the quality of life for all residents. Donor Name: The Philadelphia City Fund State: Pennsylvania City: Philadelphia Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant opportunity is made possible through the Philadelphia City Fund’s partnership with the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, which allocates a portion of its annual revenues to the Community Fund. For the 2024 Community Fund grant cycle, the Fund and its partners at the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend seek to support programming that takes a holistic approach to youth wellness and inspires lifelong healthy activity. This year’s theme will focus on “Nurturing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits through out of school time programming.” The Fund will accept proposals from charitable nonprofit organizations that provide out of school time (“OST”) programming that promotes the healthy physical, social, educational, and emotional development of youth, ages pre-K thru 12th grade, in Philadelphia. Funding Information The total funding allocated for the 2024 cycle is $250,000. Grantees will receive awards of $25,000 in unrestricted funds to be used however they see fit, which can include general operations, programmatic activities, or other costs that support the organization’s mission. Eligibility Criteria In order to be considered for funding, applications must be submitted according to the deadlines, eligibility, and format as set forth in these guidelines and on the online submission form. Applicants must demonstrate their charitable organization’s 501(c)(3) status. If the applicant organization will be sponsored by a charitable fiscal sponsor, the applicant must demonstrate its sponsor’s charitable 501(c)(3) status. The Fund seeks to support small nonprofit organizations. Only organizations with annual operating budgets which do not exceed $5 million are eligible. Only organizations that provide out-of-school time (“OST”) programming to youth in Philadelphia will be considered eligible. OST programming is defined as programs and activities designed for youth enrolled in pre-K through 12th grade to contribute to the overall well-being and safety of youth through access to services that promote their healthy, physical, social, educational, and emotional development. In order to increase equitable access to OST programming across the city, preference will be given to requests from organizations that provide programming in the following Priority ZIP Codes: 19120, 19124, 19132, 19134, 19138, 19139, 19141, and 19144. Priority ZIP Codes were identified through an analysis conducted by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families, Performance Management and Technology Team. This analysis used metrics related to quality of life (i.e. poverty rates, number of shootings, and percentage of youth involved with the City’s Department of Human Services (DHS)), the distribution of OST slots across the city, and the utilization of slots funded by DHS. Grant awards will be unrestricted, with a one-year grant term expected to begin in February 2025. Funding may be used as the grantee sees fit, which can include general operating support, programmatic activities, or other expenses that support the organization’s mission. Applicants will be expected to address the grant cycle theme “Nurturing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits through out-of-school time programming” in their application, either by connecting the theme with their organization’s mission and/or programming, or, if you intend to use this funding to support specific programming, by explaining how the proposed activities meet the theme. Grant funds may be used to supplement (but not replace or redirect) any federal, state, and/or local funding currently provided. Grant funds will be awarded on a one-time basis, with no obligation for future funding from the Philadelphia City Fund. If awarded funding through this opportunity, grantees will be expected to meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania childcare regulations throughout the grant term. In accordance with the Child Protective Services Laws, 24 P.S. § 1-111, as amended, and 23 Pa. C.S.A. §§ 6354-6358, it is required that all employees, officers, agents, servants, volunteers, or subcontractors of the grantee who will have direct contact with children must have: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 33) Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance (Act 34) Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal History Clearance Mandated reporter trainings For those sites operating in PA DHS Certified childcare sites, the National Sex Offender Registry verification is also required. If awarded funding through this opportunity, grantees will be expected to carry and maintain all insurance coverage reasonably necessary and appropriate under State and Federal laws during the grant term. Upon request, grantees must be able to provide the Philadelphia City Fund with a certificate of insurance evidencing its coverage. For more information, visit The Philadelphia City Fund.