Competitive Grants- Community Food Security Through Gardening Grant Program

Community Food Security Through Gardening Grant

Funded by a generous legacy gift of Willow-based gardeners, Gerald and Kathryn Freeley, the Gardening as Food Security Grant Program seeks applications from eligible organizations for projects that address food security issues by promoting and facilitating gardening projects in Alaska.

With a budget of $100,000, ACF will award 10 $10,000 grants to projects within the guidelines outlined below. With this award, these grantees will be eligible for a follow up grant in 2025 for $10,000 (upon completion of a final report, still meets the requirements below, and with a request for additional funding). In honor of the Freeleys’ special connection to the Mat-Su region, there will be priority put on Mat-Su based projects.

Food Security is a broad term with growing definitions. This grant seeks to support projects that strengthen a broad definition of food security that means access by all people at all times to safe, nutritious, and local food for healthy lifestyles.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by an advisory committee according to the following criteria:

• Aligned Purpose: To what extent is the purpose of the project aligned with the goal of engaging community members in a reliable source of food for participants and communities?
• Targeted Impact: To what extent does the project plan include clear, concrete measures of success?
  • Strong applications should demonstrate how funding will directly impact gardening and food security in the community served by the project.
  • Projects involving training should demonstrate metrics on how many participants have/will be trained upon completion of the project and their perceived reach in the community (number of community members involved, impacted, taught, etc.).
• Hands-on Approach: To what extent is the project hands-on?
• Collaboration: To what extent does the project engage partner organizations to achieve its vision? And to what extent does the project leverage funds from other sources?
• Sustainability: To what extent does the project plan indicate a commitment to the long-term?
  • Strong applications should demonstrate how funding will directly impact gardening and food security in the community served by the project.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Eligible applicants include:
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit or equivalent organizations located in the state of Alaska.
  • Equivalent organizations may include tribes, schools, churches, local government agencies and programs.
• Grant-funded projects must be completed within 9 months from the date of grant disbursement.
  • Extensions may be requested.
• ACF's Standard Eligibility Requirements apply.

Ineligibility

• Individuals, for-profit, 501(c)(4) or (c)(6) organizations, non-Alaska based organizations; and state or federal government agencies.
  • Individuals seeking funding should consider fiscal sponsorship with a local 501c3 designated nonprofit.