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. 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
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 | Up to 24 months |
| Application Open | Wednesday January 25, 2023 | Monday May 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023 (or until funding runs out) |
| Application Due Date |
Wednesday March 15, 2023 |
Rolling basis |
| Notice of Decision | Mid-June 2023 | 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.
2023 Application Materials:
Español | Af Soomali | 繁體中文 | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ | Tagalog
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.
Info Session #1
- Monday, May 15th, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (video recording of meeting)
Info Session #2
- Wednesday, June 14th, 10:00 – 11:00 am
https://seattle.webex.com/seattle/j.php?MTID=m45136d4417c9de9d7ca7aac970ab796a
Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
Access Code: 2482 435 9514
Info Session #3
- Tuesday, June 27th 10:00 – 11:00 am
https://seattle.webex.com/seattle/j.php?MTID=mdc42f699beeb39af2e5ac7ff19b2afe7
Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
Access Code: 2482 435 9514
Watch a recorded information session and/or read answers to questions (last updated 5/22/2023) from all previous information sessions.
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.
Closed.
2023 Application Materials:
Español | Af Soomali | 繁體中文 | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ | Tagalog
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
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. Dates and times to be announced.
Watch a recorded information session and/or read answers to questions (last updated 2/22/2023) from all previous information sessions.
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.