Food Equity Fund
The Food Equity Fund is a program of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON). The purpose of the fund is to invest in community-led work that contributes to an equitable and sustainable local food system.
Funding is provided by revenue from Seattle’s Sweetened Beverage Tax. In 2024, approximately $2.3 million is available in funding through two grant cycles: The Food Equity Fund Grant and the Starter Fund (formerly known as the Capacity Building Grant) which will launch on April 1, 2024.
What We Fund
We support work led by those who experience the most food and health inequities: Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and elders.
Eligible proposals must:
- Have project activities occur within Seattle.
- Be accessible and benefit people who live, learn, work and/or worship in Seattle
- Focus on contributing to an equitable and sustainable local food system
- Be complete within 24 months of contracting
Funding Calendar
There are two funding opportunities within the Food Equity Fund:
| |
Food Equity Fund Grant |
Starter Fund |
| Award Amount | $25,000 to $100,000 | $5,000 to $25,000 |
| Project Length | Up to 24 months | Up to 24 months |
| Application Open | Tuesday, January 16, 2024 | Monday, April 1, 2024 - October 1, 2024 (or until funding runs out) |
| Application Due Date |
Tuesday March 19, 2024 by 11:59pm |
Rolling basis |
| Notice of Decision | Late June 2024 | Within three weeks of virtual interview |
| Contracts with City | Within five weeks from notice of decision | Within four weeks from notice of decision |
NOTE: Applicants cannot hold awards in both grants.
2024 Application Materials:
- Starter Fund Guidelines
- Starter Fund Application Cover Sheet
- Starter Fund Workplan and Leadership Bios
- Starter Fund Project Budget
- Starter Fund Narrative Questions
Who Should Apply
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Organizations that have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with less than $500k annual budget
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Community groups with less than $500k annual budget that have a *fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status,
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Tribes and tribal organizations, and/or
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Organizations and groups led by those who experience the most food and health inequities: Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and/or elders.
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Information Sessions
Join a virtual information session to learn more about the application process and qualities of a strong proposal and to ask any questions. Please register for an information session here.
Starter Fund Info Session #1: Thursday April 18, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
- Access Code 2484 780 4916 Password 2024
Starter Fund Info Session #2: Tuesday May 28, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
- Access code: 2483 658 9640 Password 2024
Starter Fund Info Session #3: Monday July 15, 10 a.m.- 11 a.m.
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
- Access code: 2495 912 2033 Password: 2024
Questions?
Email foodequityfund@seattle.gov or call 206-727-FOOD (3663) to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a project manager. Project managers are available to meet outside of regular business hours and weekends with advance scheduling.
Opens January 16, 2024
2024 Application Materials:
Español | Af Soomali | 繁體中文 | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ | Tagalog | Oromo | Tigrinya
Eligible Applicants:
- Organizations that have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
- Community groups that have a *fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3)
nonprofit status. - Tribes and tribal organizations.
- *A fiscal sponsor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that agrees to act as the trustee of your project’s funds and assumes financial responsibilities related to record keeping and the disbursement of funds
Information Sessions and Office Hours
Listen to a short presentation about the application process and ask questions. All three sessions have the same information. Interpretation is available with one week’s notice. Register here.
| Date and time: | How to join virtually: |
| Tuesday Jan. 30, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. |
Link: Food Equity Fund Info Session #1 |
| Monday Feb. 12, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. |
Link: Food Equity Fund Info Session #2 |
| Thursday, Feb 29, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
Link: Food Equity Fund Info Session #3 |
Food Equity Fund Info Session Recording, 2024
Read the questions and answers from staff and info session participants. This document is updated after each info session.
Open office hours: Join an informal space to ask questions
- Date and time: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 – 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Link: Food Equity Fund Virtual Open Office Hour
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
- Access code: 2498 906 0175 Password: 2024
To set up a time to meet one-on-one with a project manager, please contact us at (206) 727-3663 or foodequityfund@seattle.gov
Questions?
Email foodequityfund@seattle.gov or call 206-727-FOOD (3663) to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a project manager. Project managers are available to meet outside of regular business hours and weekends with advance scheduling.