Food Equity Fund
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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. By ‘food system’ we mean any activities related to food, this can include growing, sourcing, preparing, learning, distributing food and/or managing food waste.
In 2023, approximately $2 million is available in funding and is provided by revenue from Seattle’s Sweetened Beverage Tax.
What We Fund
We fund community food work led by: Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and elders.
Projects must:
- 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
Who Should Apply
- Organizations that have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, or
- Community groups that have a *fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status,
- Tribes and tribal organizations, and/or
- Organizations and groups led by those most impacted by food and health inequities: Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and/or elders.
*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
Funding Calendar
There are two funding opportunities within the Food Equity Fund:
| |
Food Equity Fund General Grant |
Capacity Building Grant |
| Award Amount | $5,000 to $100,000 | $5,000 to $20,000 |
| Project Length | Up to 24 months | 3 months to 12 months |
| Application Open | Wednesday January 25, 2023 | Monday May 1, 2023 |
| Application Due Date |
Wednesday March 15, 2023 |
TBD |
| Notice of Decision | Mid-June 2023 | TBD |
| Contracts with City | Within five weeks from notice of decision | Within four weeks from notice of decision |
*Applicants cannot hold grants in both tiers.
In-language support:
We are currently only accepting applications in written English. However, if you want one-on-one support in a language other than English, we can set up a virtual meeting with an interpreter free of cost. Please send an email to foodequityfund@seattle.gov or call us at (206) 727-3663 to request an interpreter.
Information Sessions and Office Hours
Join a virtual information session to learn more about the application process, qualities of a strong proposal and to ask any questions. Please register for an information session here.
Check out a recorded information session which includes answers to questions (last updated 2/22/2023) from all previous information sessions.
Open Office Hours
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.
Question & Answer open office hours: https://bit.ly/FEFInfo
Join by phone: +1 (206) 207-1700 access code: 146 253 1431
- Dates and times TBD
A Food Equity Fund Capacity Building Grant will launch April 3, 2023. Grant sizes will be up to $20,000 and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. To get the latest information, sign up for the Food Equity Fund newsletter on the top right of this page.