Bayer Fund: Food & Nutrition Grant

Bayer Fund: Food & Nutrition Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Bayer Fund
Last Updated: February 05, 2026

Summary

The Bayer Fund: Food & Nutrition Grant supports high-quality programs that combat malnutrition and improve access to nutritious foods, particularly for underserved communities and families with young children. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government units. The fund prioritizes long-term behavioral change towards healthy eating and nutrition, with grants typically not exceeding 25% of an organization's operating budget. International requests start at $25,000, fostering sustainable food security and education initiatives.

Overview

NOTE: All applicants must be invited to apply for a grant from Bayer Fund. Invitation codes can be requested through the Contact Us page. Invited applications are due at the "full proposal" deadlines above. We support high-quality food & nutrition programs that address malnutrition by helping to ensure access and use of nutritious foods. Our portfolio includes high-impact programs/projects that use comprehensive, sustainable approaches to increasing access and use of nutritious foods, striving towards long-term behavior change to address obesity and food security. The food & nutrition programs we support target under-served communities, rural communities, and families with children under the age of five. What kinds of programs will be considered for funding? We support malnutrition programs which have a comprehensive approach to undernourishment that results in long-term behavior change towards healthy eating and nutrition. In addition, we support high quality programs that address hunger alleviation by providing access to nutritious food. What kinds of Food & Nutrition programs does Bayer Fund support? Education and behavior-changing programs focused on healthy eating and nutrition Food security programs that provide access to healthy food for the hungry (food pantries, school backpack programs, soup kitchens, community gardens, food distribution programs). Funding Amounts In the US, Grant award amounts in the Food & Nutrition category vary, depending on the size of the community, the type of programming, and the reach of the organization. Bayer Fund typically will not support grants that are larger than 25% of your organization’s operating budget. Internationally, the smallest grant we will consider is US $25,000. Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. US Eligibility: What types of organizations are eligible to apply for grants in this funding program?Organizations who hold a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status and have been operating as such for a minimum of two yearsAll nonprofits working in schools must upload a completed Partnership agreementOrganizations who are units of government under Section 170(c)(1), such as public schools, libraries, villages and municipalitiesIndividual schools must apply through their School District officeThe nonprofit must be experienced and reputable; The Bayer Fund does not work with start-up organizationsThe nonprofit must be financially sound; Proof of most current financial audit is necessary for requests over $10,000Organizations must be located in an eligible legacy-Monsanto communityPrivate or independent schools may apply for this program, provided that admission is open to all students in a given community, and at least 50 percent of the students served by the school qualify for Free or Reduced LunchInternational Eligibility: What types of organizations are eligible to apply for international grants from the Bayer Fund?Organizations who hold a 501(c)(3) tax exempt or an international equivalent public charity.All organizations must be incorporated as a charity and operating for a minimum of two years to be considered for funding.Organizations who are units of government under Section 170(c)(1), such as public schools, villages and municipalities, and private schools primarily serving an economically disadvantaged population.The nonprofit must be experienced and reputable; The Bayer Fund does not work with start-up organizations.The nonprofit must be financially sound; Proof of most current financial audit is required.Organizations must be located in one of the eligible countriesAll funding requests must be for program activities that start after funding decisions are made. You can apply for either a new program OR an existing program.

Ineligibility

What will Bayer Fund not fund?EndowmentsDebt retirementsPolitical, labor and fraternal organizationsConsumer or governmental lobbying or advocacyVeterans’ organizations classified as 501(c)4 (if classified as 501c3 are eligible)Benefits, dinners, advertisements (sponsorships)Religious organizations for religious purposesTrade or business associationsGrants for individual aid or personal supportActivities that directly support marketing programsProjects in which Bayer Fund or Bayer has a financial interest, or from which either one could derive a financial benefit.Organizations that could purchase, dispense or prescribe Bayer products, or their affiliated foundations (e.g., hospitals, medical schools, health care providers, pharmacies)Patient assistant fund or requests that provide financial assistance to patients, or medical treatment or therapy-related supplies for patients.Bayer Fund will not support programs that focus on or are limited to specific types of cancer (e.g. prostate cancer) or a particular form of cardiovascular disease. The program must be open to patients and families dealing with any type of cancer or cardiovascular disease.Organizations that do not comply with our Non-Discrimination Policy.As a programmatic foundation, Bayer Fund does not fund infrastructure costs of organizations