💰 Finding grants for a food pantry
Food pantries are good grant candidates: the need is easy to explain and the results are easy to count. The hard part is knowing where to look.
Where the money comes from
- Your food bank. Many food banks pass along capacity grants for coolers, freezers, shelving and vehicles. Ask your agency relations contact what is open.
- Local and family foundations. Much of the money small organizations raise from foundations comes from funders close to home. Their IRS Form 990-PF filings list every grant they made, so you can see who already funds pantries near you.
- Community foundations and United Ways. Often the first grant a small pantry wins.
- Businesses. Grocers, banks and utilities near you often have giving programs or in-kind donations.
- Faith networks. Many denominations run hunger grants for pantries in member congregations.
What funders want to see
- Households and individuals served, and how that has changed.
- Pounds distributed and where the food comes from.
- Volunteer hours, which show community support.
- A simple budget and what the grant will buy.
- Your IRS determination letter, or your church's, if the pantry is a ministry of a church.
A shortcut
All In One Nonprofit searches private foundations from their IRS filings and federal opportunities on Grants.gov, scores how well each fits, and shows who already funds work like yours. Your monthly food numbers flow into the grant report. https://www.allinonenonprofit.com/