Nonprofit Funding Opportunities
USDA Grants
Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program
Amount: $35,000-400,000
Description: The Community Food Projects (CFP) competitive grants program awards grants to eligible nonprofits, tribal organizations, and food program service providers to promote self-sufficiency and increase food security in low-income communities by developing comprehensive, community-based solutions. Projects vary in scope, ranging from community gardens with market stands to marketing and consumer cooperatives, but all must involve low-income participants. Public food program service providers, tribal organizations, and private nonprofit entities are eligible to apply.
More information at: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/community-food-projects-cfp-competitive-grants-program
Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)
Amount: $100,000-$500,000
Description: Formerly known as the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives (FINI) Program, GusNIP provides grants on a competitive basis to projects that help low-income consumers access and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables through “cash” incentives that increase their purchasing power at locations like farmers markets. Government agencies and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.
More information at: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program
Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Amount: $20,000-$200,000
Description: HFFI helps to link more families with healthy food by providing resources to healthy food retail and food enterprise projects to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to serving low-access areas. For-profit businesses, cooperative businesses, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments and governmental agencies are eligible to apply.
More information at: https://www.investinginfood.com/
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Beyond the Table Grants
Amount: Up to $2,000
Description: Beyond the Table mini-grants are granted to nonprofit organizations or individuals with a fiscal sponsorship who are interested in shaping the future of our community. Grant proposals must address an identified community need.
More information at: https://yourfoundation.org/
Campbell Soup Foundation
Campbell Soup Foundation Grant
Amount: A range of grant amounts not exceeding $25,000
Description: Increasing healthy food access is one of three focus areas. This includes work like food distribution programs, food rescue, food incentives, new and improved food access points, school feeding programs, and local agriculture.
More information at: https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/about-campbell/corporate-responsibility/community/campbell-soup-foundation/grant-guidelines/
Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
Feeding the Hungry Grant
Amount: Unspecified amount
Description: Grants support children at risk of hunger and support feeding agencies by helping to increase their “fresh” capacity so families can put nutritious meals on their tables. The foundation also helps provide nutrition education to eliminate the health risks of the hungry.
More information at: https://www.foodlion.com/in-our-community/food-lion-feeds/charitable-foundation-grants/
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation
Health Priority Grants
Amount: No maximum dollar amount
Description: Investing in the Health and Well-being of SC Children and Families by supporting projects that foster environments and settings that encourage healthy eating and active lifestyles.
More information at: https://www.bcbsscfoundation.org/health-focused-grants
Cigna Foundation
Healthier Kids for our Future Food Insecurity Grants
Amount: Total of $5 million awarded in 2019-20
Description: The Cigna Foundation is looking for programs that bracket or augment in-school efforts to address childhood hunger and nutrition in the following areas:
- Community-based programs that support children and families’ access to healthy meals and nutritional education outside the school setting, on weekends and during the summer
- Food and nutritional programs that provide support for expecting mothers and caregivers
- Support for programs that address the needs of pre-school children
- Health provider/clinician efforts that provide nutritional education to patients and/or food as prescription programming
- School-based programs that enhance or augment state and/or federal assistance efforts
More information at: https://www.cybergrants.com/cigna/healthierkidsforourfuture/
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
Community Grant Program
Amount: $2,500
Description: Carolinas Foundation Community Grants will support youth initiatives including those focused on improving social and economic conditions for vulnerable communities, and solutions for food insecurity.
More information at: https://carolinasfoundation.org/community-grants/
The Conservation Fund
Grant Program for Transporting Healthy Food
Amount: $2,500-$10,000
Description: help alleviate the transportation and related operation gaps that organizations face in distributing fresh food to markets in vulnerable and underserved populations. The grants support a range of activities related to transportation such as: acquiring refrigerated vehicles for direct delivery to markets; financing “veggie vans” to bring fresh food to isolated communities; providing better access to food hubs or other sites where produce, dairy, seafood and meats can be stored safely for distribution; or purchasing produce boxes and cold storage bins to keep unsold food fresh for the next day’s farmers market or wholesale purchase.
More information at: https://www.conservationfund.org/projects/transporting-healthy-food-grant-program
SC Cares Act Fund
Nonprofit Relief Grant Program
Amount: Will range from $2,500 to $50,000
Application Window:October 19, 2020 – November 1, 2020
Description: Provides grants to nonprofit organizations to reimburse qualifying expenditures for providing services or revenue loss due to COVID-19.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service
- Registered as a public charity with the South Carolina Secretary of State
- Physically located and providing services in South Carolina
- In operation from September 13, 2019, to present
- Can demonstrate a financial or operational impact due to COVID-19
Farm/Urban Farm Funding Opportunities
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
Deadline: December 11th, 2020
Amount: Up to $250,000
Description: For farmers and ranchers who have been directly impacted by the pandemic. Eligible commodities are wool, livestocks, Floriculture (including Christmas trees), aquaculture, tobacco and egg farmers. Farmers who are approved can receive a payment of up to $250,000. Must have sales and inventory records to complete this application.
Application link: https://apps.fsa.usda.gov/cfap2/index.jsp
Information page: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap
Farm to School Grant
Deadline: January 8th, 2021
Amount: Up to $100,000
Description: Used to place locally grown food in schools as well as farm and garden education. This allows economic opportunities for local farmers while advocating for healthier lunches for children. Participating schools have put approximately $790 million dollars back into the pockets of local farmers and food producers. Eligible applicants are schools/ schools districts, state and local agencies, Native tribal orgs and farmers or farming groups.
Application Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=329449
Information page:https://sustainableagriculture.net/publications/grassrootsguide/local-food-systems-rural-development/farm-to-school-grants/
Farm Operating Loan
Amount: Up to $400,000
Description: Used to help those who need assistance improving profitability, purchasing livestock or equipment ,operating and developing farmland.
Application Link: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/Farm-Loan-Programs/pdfs/direct-loan-apps/Farm_Operating_Loans_190926V01.pdf
More Information: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/farm-operating-loans/index
Farmers Market Promotion Program
Opens: Spring 2021
Description: Funds projects that help to develop the availability of locally and regionally grown agricultural products. Provides resources to farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs.
More information: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp/how-do-i-apply-fmpp-grant
Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
Opens: January 2021
Amount: $1,000- $5,000
Description: A grant program that provides financial assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming. The program does not give money directly to the farmer but buys them the equipment they need to launch their farm.
Eligibility Criteria:
-Veterans from any branch of service, including those currently serving
-Honorably discharged.
-Must have a functioning agricultural business
-Has to fully participate in the fellowship program by sending progress reports and mentoring other veteran farmers
More Information: https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/
Small Businesses Funding Opportunities
Minority and Small Business Relief Grant Program
Opens: October 19, 2020 – November 1, 2020
Amount: $2,500-$25,000
Provides grants to minority and small businesses to reimburse qualifying expenditures for providing services or revenue loss due to COVID-19.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Employ 25 or fewer employees
- Physically located in South Carolina
- In operation from September 13, 2019, to present
- Can demonstrate a financial or operational impact due to COVID-19
Website: https://accelerate.sc.gov/cares-act/applying-sc-cares-act-funds
Resilient Columbia CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund
Amount: $10,000 – $200,000
Description: The Resilient Columbia CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund provides a financing option to small businesses in an effort to “prevent, prepare for, and respond” to the economic injury attributed to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
– Business owners may apply for a loan ranging from $10,000 – $200,000
– Loans will be at 0% interest the first year of repayment and 2.5% fixed for the remaining loan term.
– Businesses must be located within the City of Columbia to be eligible.
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Description: In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Website: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/
SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND LINE OF CREDIT
- COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund Line of Credit for small businesses: up to $10,000. This credit is intended for working capital to cover business losses due to COVID-19.
- The variable interest rate will be no more than Wall Street Journal Prime plus 1%
- The repayment terms call for a 3 month draw period with a 6-month interest-only renewal option. The maturity will be no more than 12 months following the closing date.
- No prepayment penalty.
- Must meet CW eligibility checklist and provide all documentation required
COMMUNITY RELIEF FUND LINE OF CREDIT
- COVID-19 Community (nonprofit) Relief Fund Line of Credit to help nonprofit partners: up to $50,000 unsecured and $250,000 secured. This credit is intended for working capital to cover losses due to COVID-19 for nonprofit and governmental entities.
- The variable interest rate will be no more than Wall Street Journal Prime
- The repayment terms call for a 6 month draw period with 24 months of interest-only payment and a maturity date no more than 24 months following the closing date
- No prepayment penalty
- Must meet CW eligibility checklist and provide all documentation required
CONSUMER RELIEF FUND LOAN
- COVID-19 Consumer Relief Fund loan to help with emergencies: up to $1,500 unsecured in partnership with Self Help Credit Union. This Small Dollar Relief Loan is a response to help individuals access affordable credit during this time of need and avoid predatory loans.
- The interest rates will be 4% through a shared, secure count, up to 12 months for unsecured loans
- All loans will have a savings component
- Loans will be eligible for a limited list including immediate expense needs due to COVID-19, refinancing high interest, reliable transportation, emergency car repairs, driver’s license reinstatement, and more
Must meet CW eligibility checklist and provide all documentation and any collateral required
Website: https://communityworkscarolina.org/covid-19-resources/