Food Equity Fund
In 2026, the Department of Neighborhoods will not run an open, competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Food Equity Fund (FEF). Instead, next year’s cycle will renew selected contracts with current partners and FEF Alternates previously identified through a community review process. This approach ensures continuity for programs while allowing staff capacity and time to design and launch a first of its kind Participatory Budgeting: Urban Farming grant.
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
Closed for 2026
Please see our blog for additional details.
To prepare for the upcoming Participatory Budgeting: Urban Farming grant, the City will not run an open, competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Food Equity Fund (FEF) in 2026. Instead, next year’s cycle will renew contracts with selected partners and award funding to FEF alternates previously identified through a community review process. This approach ensures continuity for programs already serving community members while allowing time to design and launch the new Urban Farming grant process. We will provide regular updates and additional engagement opportunities as that process moves forward. The City anticipates returning to the RFP process for the 2027 Food Equity Fund cycle.
Will open in 2026 please up to our listserv for our most up to date information.
2025 Application Materials:
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. We strongly encourage you to attend info sessions to ask questions but if you are unable here are the live questions and answers from the past info sessions.
Watch Info Session here!
Starter Fund Info Session #1: Thursday April 17, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
- Access Code 2498 493 1544 Password 2025
Starter Fund Info Session #2: Tuesday May 7, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
- Access code: 2487 269 6974 Password 2025
Starter Fund Info Session #3: Monday June 9, 5 p.m.- 6 p.m.
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
- Access code: 2482 123 1367 Password: 2025
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.