Applications for the City of Seattle’s Food Equity Fund Capacity Building Grants are now open. Community organizations working to create an equitable and sustainable local food system in Seattle and have an annual budget of less than $500,000 are encouraged to apply. The Food Equity Fund supports work led by those most impacted by food and health inequities: Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and elders.

Funded by the Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT), the Food Equity Fund was developed in 2021 in response to recommendations from the SBT Community Advisory Board, a board composed of eleven members committed to centering the communities most impacted by health and economic inequities when advising the City on programs and services supported by SBT revenue.

Apply for Funding

The Food Equity Fund Capacity Building Grants will prioritize community organizations and groups with an annual budget of less than $500,000. The intention is to provide a nimble grant to smaller, grassroots organizations that historically have limited access to institutional funding. The submission process consists of a simple written application and a required virtual interview. 

Eligible proposals can involve growing, sourcing, preparing, learning about, distributing food, and/or managing food waste.

Eligible proposals 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.

Who Should Apply

• Organizations that have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with less than $500k annual budget.
• Community groups with less than $500k annual budget that have a *fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. 
• Tribes and tribal organizations.
• 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.

Food Equity Fund Capacity Building Grant awards will range from $5,000 – $20,000. Applications are open on a rolling basis from May 1, 2023 – October 31, 2023.

For more information or to begin your application visit  seattle.gov/food-equity-fund.

Engagement Opportunities

To help community leaders get information, fine-tune project ideas, and submit strong applications, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) staff are offering a variety of engagement opportunities. Community members can:

Join a virtual information session.

Attendees can listen to a short presentation about the application process and ask questions. Interpretation is available with one week’s notice. Register at https://forms.office.com/g/JFsqrvUjNM.

• Monday, May 15th 1:00 – 2:00pm
  Webex Link: Food Equity Fund Capacity Building Info Session #1 
  Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
  Access Code: 2480 103 9583
• Wednesday, June 14th 10:00 – 11:00 am
  Webex Link: Food Equity Fund Capacity Building Info Session #2
  Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
  Access Code: 2492 040 6600
• Tuesday, June 27th 10:00 – 11:00 am
  Webex Link: Food Equity Fund Capacity Building Info Session #3
  Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
  Access Code: 2482 435 9514

Speak directly with program staff.

Ask questions about the application or discuss proposal ideas with a Food Equity Fund project manager.

• Email foodequityfund@seattle.gov or call 206-727-FOOD (3663) to schedule a one-on-one virtual or in-person meeting with a Food Equity Fund project manager.

Grant Review Process

All proposals will be screened for basic eligibility requirements and reviewed by the Food Equity Fund staff. Notice of decisions will be delivered within three weeks of the virtual interview.

Information, resources, and applications are available at seattle.gov/food-equity-fund.