Grant Opportunities - Community Foundation of Washington County Mississippi

Mars Food, Delta Group, The MolinaCares Accord, and the Community Foundation of Washington County joined together to create the Washington County Food Access Improvement Fund. The fund will provide long-term support by making grants to food pantries and other nonprofit organizations that provide access to healthy food for Greenville and Washington County-area residents.

See job opportunities below (click to view):

The grant is designed to increase access to multiple ways of healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food for Washington County residents by:

Address equity in food access and food insecurity in vulnerable populations including but not limited to people of color, immigrants, older adults, children, and people living with disabilities.
Distribute food more equitably including increasing transportation support for residents and the sustainability, as well as the number, of local farmer’s markets.
Address the expansion and availability of food benefits that reach Washington County residents in more places including but not limited to the use of SNAP benefits and other similar resources that focus on at-risk families.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to ensure that 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations and food pantries that feed Washington County residents are modern, efficient, and resilient through:

Investing in infrastructure that supports updates and the development of neighborhood-based food pantries
Promoting educational information on the benefits of healthy food and nutrition
Improving regional access to healthy food by supporting existing local and regional transportation options
Connecting local pantries with state organizations that are resources for small pantries

The Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications. Interested 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and food pantries may apply for the Washington County Food Access grant. The proposed funding amount ranges from $10,000-$15,000. This funding is for one year. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2024.

To apply for funding:

Complete the grant application and e-mail the file as an attachment to vbrooks@cfwashco.org

Complete the Grant Application Certification Form. This form should be printed, completed, signed, and returned by mail to:
Community Foundation Washington County
P.O Box 5910
Greenville, MS 38704

Your application submission is not complete until this form has been received.

Please attach all required documents with your grant application.

Download Application

In assessing the merits of each grant proposal, the Grants Committee considers many factors including the extent to which the request addresses the criteria outlined in the funding guidelines. Special consideration may be given to those proposals that reflect substantive collaborations among various organizations or agencies, a special opportunity or new approach in a field, or a commitment to bringing together different segments of the community. Priority will be given to grant applications that reflect frugal and efficient use of monies. The Grants Committee may consider additional criteria when reviewing an application, including whether the application:

Demonstrates foresight and careful planning for long-term impact
Articulates clear, measurable goals
Includes an evaluation plan by which goals are measured
Provide a detailed budget and budget narrative
Reflects appropriate racial, ethnic or religious diversity in governance, personnel, planning, population served or content
Reflects sufficient organizational and managerial capacity to carry out the project
Reflects inclusive and strategic planning in line with the Foundation’s mission
Reflects collaboration with other people

If selected, CFWC will require a report including the completion of goals and a budget report showing how the grant was used.

Upon receipt of applications, the CFWC Grants Committee will review each application. Site visits may be scheduled. If the Grants Committee determines that additional information is needed, applicants will be contacted.

All applicants will be notified by mail or e-mail of the results of their application by the stated deadline for notification. We regret that we cannot respond to questions regarding the Grants Committee’s decision on the grants award process.

By submitting an application, applicants are agreeing to the following:

Funds received will be expended only for the purposes stated in the grant application and in accordance with section 501(c)(3), section 4945 and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
CFWC may monitor and conduct an evaluation of operations under this grant, including requesting financial records related to the grant or applicant’s tax status, which if requested, should be provided in a timely manner. (Please note that within six months of the awarding of the grant or the completion of your project, whichever comes last, a Post-Grant Application is required. This form will be provided with the grant award.)
The grant may be discontinued, modified, or withheld if, in the CFWC’s sole judgment, such action is necessary.
At the conclusion of the grant period, a written report describing the activities carried out and benefits to the community from the grant usage must be submitted to the Community Foundation.
No funds from the Community Foundation may be used for propaganda purposes, to influence legislation, to influence the outcome of an election, or for direct or indirect use in a voter registration drive.
Any request for a change in the purpose of use of grant funds must be submitted in writing to the Community Foundation and approved before said changes may take effect.
Any portion of grant funds not used in accordance with these terms must be returned to the Community Foundation.
Publicity around the grant award is encouraged. Any promotional materials, press releases, etc, produced in connection with or to publicize the funded program should note that it was funded in part or sponsored by The Community Foundation of Washington County. It is suggested that the Community Foundation logo be used in such publications, and we will happily provide our logo for your use.
Awardees must immediately notify the Community Foundation of any change in our organization’s federal tax status or that of your fiscal agent during the time the grant funds are being administered.

For further information, please contact Vanessa Brooks at vbrooks@cfwashco.org or call the Foundation’s office at (662) 580-4500.

Download Application