Growing Justice Fund: 2024 Grant Opportunity
Posted by Growing Justice
Type: Funding
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 at 4:00 pm
GROWING JUSTICE aims to invest in efforts to solidify the leadership, dignity and power of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian and immigrant people to identify and drive solutions that expand the market for good food from locally or regionally owned, and environmentally and economically sustainable farms, ranches, fisheries and food businesses.
Funding Details
The Growing Justice Fund offers grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 to support community-led initiatives that advance equitable food procurement. These grants empower Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant (BIPOC+) communities engaged in food markets to secure institutional contracts and gain economic viability. Through large-scale procurement opportunities with community-serving institutions—such as schools, hospitals, and elder care centers—these grants foster equitable access to food buying revenue and help build wealth in historically marginalized communities.
Planning Grants (up to $25,000) help organizations in the early stages of project development by funding strategic research, stakeholder engagement, partnership building, and project planning. These grants lay the groundwork for future implementation by strengthening leadership and preparing for sustainable initiatives.
Implementation Grants (ranging from $50,000 to $250,000) are designed for fully developed projects ready to scale. These grants focus on building infrastructure for equitable food procurement, supporting BIPOC+ producers, food hubs, cooperatives, and policy advocacy, ensuring that these communities thrive as key players in institutional markets.
Eligible Projects Include:
Building Infrastructure for Good Food Procurement:
Support for BIPOC+ producers, manufacturers, aggregators, and small processors to enter or expand within institutional markets. This includes partnerships with anchor institutions, obtaining food safety certifications, and developing food hubs to connect producers to buyers.
Grassroots Organizing and Policy Advocacy:
Support community coalitions and organizations working to pass policies promoting equitable food procurement. Resources can also be designated to train institutional administrators and align food procurement practices with community needs.
Cultivating Traditional Food Pathways:
Strengthening food sovereignty efforts within Tribal Nations by promoting traditional foodways and economic empowerment. This includes supporting production, distribution, and partnerships across Tribal Nations and non-Tribal institutions.
Growing Justice Vision:
Growing Justice envisions a food system in which Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant people thrive as producers, suppliers, workers, and eaters within community-serving institutions. Through equitable food procurement, these communities will access affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food while contributing to local and regional economies. This fund is designed to help marginalized communities enter and thrive in large-scale procurement opportunities, ensuring equitable access to economic opportunities.
Who Can Apply?
Community-led organizations, Tribal Nations, and community-based coalitions committed to transforming the food system through partnerships and equitable practices are encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants must be actively engaged in the values-based food supply chain and aligned with Growing Justice’s mission to promote equitable food procurement.
Please note that only 501(c)(3) organizations, or those with a fiscal sponsor that holds a 501(c)(3) status, will be eligible to receive funding through the Growing Justice Fund.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: Friday, November 15, 2024, 5 pm PT/8 pm ET
Eligibility Quiz Deadline: Thursday, November 7, 2024, 5 pm PT/8 pm ET
An informational webinar will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd from 1-2pm ET/10-11am PT. Please register here: bit.ly/gj24-webinar. The webinar will include live interpretation. The webinar will be recorded.
Applicants must complete the eligibility quiz to receive an invitation to apply. For more details on eligibility criteria and application guidelines, please visit www.growingjusticefund.org/apply.
If you would like to apply for the Fund in a language other than English, please contact support@growingjusticefund.org for language-specific application information.
About Growing Justice:
Growing Justice is a pioneering philanthropic fund dedicated to advancing justice and equity in food procurement practices. It supports community-led initiatives working to shift institutional procurement systems and create sustainable, community-driven food value chains. Growing Justice is housed at the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation.
To join our mailing list: Click here