Insight Grants

Grant Opportunity: Aetna GoLocal Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program Presents: Local Roots: Supporting Community Gardens, Urban Farms, and Farmers Markets

By Jen Adams

Who is offering this grant? The Aetna Foundation–their mission is to promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality healthcare for everyone, while supporting the communities they serve.

What is the purpose? Through this RFP, the foundation will fund the creation and expansion of community gardens, urban farms, and farmers markets in underserved neighborhoods so that fresh fruits and vegetables are locally available, accessible, and affordable.

What types of activities might be supported? Programs that aim to make fresh fruits and vegetables locally available, accessible, and affordable will be considered. Beyond the garden, farm or farmers market itself, projects must also include one or more of the following:

  • Nutrition education or cooking classes focused on the health benefits of fresh produce
  • Growth or distribution of produce that reflects the food traditions of the target area
  • Opportunities to learn job skills or entrepreneurship within the context of gardens, farms or farmers markets
  • Opportunities for community service or volunteer work with the project

Who can apply? To apply, you must be a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a state or local government agency. State government agencies, such as public universities, are eligible. Local government agencies eligible to apply include towns/cities or public schools. However, federal government agencies, such as national parks, are not eligible to apply.

How much is available? In 2015, the GoLocal Cultivating Healthy Communities Grants Program is expected to award a total of $1 million through this RFP.

When is the application due? Proposals will be accepted until May 6, 2015 (5 p.m. ET).

How much can I request? Grant awards will be a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $50,000 over two years. Projects will receive a maximum of $25,000 per year.

Do I have to offer a match of any kind? No.

How long is the project period? Projects must be 12 – 24 months long and start after October 15, 2015.

When will the awards be made? By September 15, 2015.

Is there anything else I should know? Programs for matching funds for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits doubling programs and programs that focus only on food distribution will not be funded. We will consider programs that focus on food distribution only as part of a larger program.

In previous years, organizations had to serve specific geographic areas to be eligible to apply. That is NO LONGER the case. In 2015, the program was opened to organizations in all 50 states.

You can submit your application and supporting documents through the Aetna Foundation’s online grant application portal.

How can I find out more? Visit the Aetna Foundation’s website at: http://www.aetna-foundation.org/foundation/index.html. The Local Roots RFP and program details are available here: http://www.aetna-foundation.org/foundation/apply-for-a-grant/regional-grants/index.html. You can ask questions about the RFP by e-mail at aetnafoundation@aetna.com, with the subject line “Aetna Foundation Local Roots grant program inquiry.”

Grant Opportunity: Farm to School Grant Program FY16

The USDA’s Farm to School Grant Program Competition is now open!

From the USDA:

“The purpose of the USDA Farm to School Grant Program is to assist eligible entities in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. On an annual basis, USDA awards up to $5 million in competitive grants for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs.”

Types of Grants and Funding:

Support Service grants – awards range from $65,000 to $100,000. The funder states, “Support Service grants are intended for eligible entities working with schools or school districts to further develop and provide broad reaching support services to farm to school initiatives.” An estimated 50% of allocated funds for the program are expected to go to Support Service grants this year.

Implementation grants – awards range from $65,000 to $100,000. The funder states, “Implementation grants are intended to help schools or school districts scale or further develop existing farm to school initiatives.” An estimated 25% of allocated funds for the program are expected to go to Implementation grants this year.

Planning grants – awards range from $20,000 to $45,000. The funder states, “Planning grants are for schools or school districts just getting started on farm to school activities and are intended to help these entities organize and structure their efforts for maximum impact by embedding known best practices into early design considerations.” An estimated 15% of allocated funds for the program are expected to go to Planning grants this year.

Training grants – awards range from $15,000 – $50,000. The funder states, “Training grants are intended for eligible entities to support trainings that strengthen farm to school supply chains, or trainings that provide technical assistance in the area of local procurement, food safety, culinary education, and/or integration of agriculture-based curriculum.” An estimated 10% of allocated funds for the program are expected to go to Training grants this year.

Priority consideration will be given to projects that serve a high proportion of children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Who Can Apply: 

Support Service Grants: Only state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, and non-profit entities are eligible to receive support service grants.

Implementation Grants: Only pre-K-12 School Food Authorities (SFAs), non-profit private schools, charter schools, Indian tribal schools, and others that participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, and/or operate USDA’s Summer Food Service Program/Seamless Summer Option or Child and Adult Care Food Program on-site, are eligible to receive implementation grants.

Planning Grants: Only pre-K-12 SFAs, non-profit private schools, charter schools, Indian tribal schools, and
others that participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, and/or operate USDA’s Summer Food Service Program/Seamless Summer Option or Child and Adult Care Food Program on-site, are eligible to receive planning grants.

Training Grants: Only state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of
agricultural producers, and non-profit entities are eligible to receive training grant funds. Cooperative Extension Service programs are ineligible to apply for these grant projects.

Key Dates: Training Grant Letter of Intent due 4/30/15, Applications for Support Service, Implementation, and Planning Grants due 5/20/15

Where to Get Complete Details: Visit the USDA Farm to School Grant Program section of usda.gov to access he application.

 

Insight Grants