Rapid Response Grant Program

Background:  

The Better Food Policy Fund exists to support food policy councils – local, regional, or tribal groups who are working in the US to effect better food policy through civic collaboration. Despite the fact that food policy councils are often small and volunteer-led, they play a critical and outsized role in advancing progressive food policy in their communities.  However, food policy councils often lack the financial resources to weather unexpected challenges.

Purpose:  

The BFPF Rapid Response Grant program provides timely and responsive support to food policy councils facing unexpected funding challenges or revenue loss that impacts their work.

What is a Rapid Response Grant?

• One-time grant of up to $15,000 to support food policy councils in responding to a new or unexpected funding threat.
• Rapid Response funding is unrestricted.  Councils can utilize funds to respond to their situation as they see fit and as their unique situation requires.
• Rapid Response grant funds are short-term funds to be spent by the council within a 12 month timeframe.

Application Information 

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible groups are food policy councils in the US working to effect better food policy through civic collaboration. These groups meet all the following criteria:

• Councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, regional, or intertribal level;
• Fostering an enabling environment for practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems;
• Joining together community and government; and,
• Can be structured as community groups, government-embedded entities, higher education-embedded entities, non-profit organizations, etc.
• Based in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa

How do I apply?

To apply, SUBMIT THIS online application with brief (250 words or less) responses to the following:

1. Name of Food Policy Council
2. Contact for Food Policy Council (name, email address)
3. Geographic area served 
4. Council status (i.e. 501(c)3, governmental, or fiscally sponsored)
5. Name of fiscal sponsor, if applicable (name, email address)
6. EIN number
7. Describe the urgent threat or critical need impacting your food policy council as an organization. How will this impact your Council’s ability to operate over the next year?
8. Explain your council’s plan to address this organizational threat or need and how BFPF funds will assist.  Explain how funds from BFPF will help you fill the gap.
9. Amount of funding requested.

Timeline:

Grants open:  June 9, 2025

Grants close:  July 7, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET

Award notification:  August 1, 2025

NOTE: The BFPF is a values-based fund.  Read more HERE about how we’re embracing complexity and an abundance mindset. Our INDEPENDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE  hopes to learn much from this first pilot round of Rapid Response funding, and will determine future needs based upon lessons learned from this first round. 

FAQs:

What are some examples of “unexpected challenges” that would qualify for BFPF Rapid Response funding?

• Council A had a federal grant that was recently cancelled.  The federal grant was supporting their consultant’s completion of a Food System Action Plan for their community. The consultant was almost done with the Plan when funding was cancelled, and the Council just needs some funds to finish that product.
• Council B has a fiscal agent that has provided in-kind staff time, meeting space, etc. to support the work of the Council.  The fiscal agent has been experiencing financial challenges and recently reduced their support for the Council, leaving the FPC volunteers without support to continue their work.  The Council needs funding for a stipend to a new coordinator to help them maintain momentum.
• Council C had been working on plans to support an annual Food System Summit for their community.  This event has been funded in the past by their community foundation.  However, their community foundation priorities have shifted to meeting other basic food needs as federal food programs have been cut.  Therefore, the council needs funds to be able to continue to convene their community.
• Council D has decided to join or is initiating legal action related to their council’s policy work or cancelled funding.  The council needs funds to support these unexpected legal expenses.

How much funding is available?

The Better Food Policy Fund is making a total of $120,000.00 available for this initial round.  We know more is needed; we’re attempting to support hard-pressed and challenged food policy councils, with resources we have available.  

Grantees may ask for up to $15,000 in unrestricted funding to respond to an urgent need or critical threat facing their Council.  We hope to be able to assist as many Councils as possible with this funding, and anticipate funding at least 8 in this first round.  

As we learn about the needs facing Councils in this first round of Rapid Response grants, we will continue to figure out how to create access to more resources.  We’re actively seeking resources and partnerships to be able to fund future rounds. If you are aware of funders and other potential leads that may be interested in partnering with us, please let us know!  foodpolicyfund@gmail.com