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Fair Food Fund

FAIR FOOD NETWORK INC

Foundation Rolling (Quarterly) Small Business GrantsAgriculture GrantsFood Security GrantsGrants for Minority-Owned Businesses
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Funding Amount

$10,000 - $250,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Fair Food Fund

Organization: Fair Food Network Inc (MI, US)

Status: Active national fund operating locally

Geographic Scope:

  • United States companies incorporated in the U.S.

  • Primary focus: Michigan and Northeast United States

  • In Michigan, administered as the Michigan Good Food Fund (statewide food financing collaborative)

    • Focus Areas:

  • All types of businesses working across the food system

  • Food entrepreneurs and food system businesses

  • Farm to fork enterprises

  • Food access and local food system strengthening

    • Mission & Impact:

  • Mission-driven fund supporting food entrepreneurs as "the engine of a more equitable future"

  • Has committed more than $6 million in financing to good food entrepreneurs since 2012 launch

  • Aims to redress racial and gender inequities

  • Supports local vision and resilience

    • Eligibility Criteria

    Sector Requirements:

  • All types of businesses working across the food system eligible

  • Examples: farms, food processors, retailers, restaurants, food trucks, agricultural services, composting, food waste management

    • Business Stage:

  • Early-stage businesses

  • More mature companies seeking continued growth support

    • Financial Sustainability:

  • Businesses must be profitable OR demonstrate clear path to profitability

  • Current financial position and future plans reviewed

    • Social Impact:

  • Must serve their communities

  • Preference for businesses addressing racial and gender inequities

  • Focus on local food system impact

    • Geography:

  • Incorporated in the U.S.

  • Operating in Michigan or Northeast United States

    • Financing Products Offered

    • Traditional loans (term loans, microloans, lines of credit)
    • Revenue-based financing
    • Convertible debt/notes
    • Equity investments
    • Credit enhancement/loan guaranties
    • Working capital financing
    • Safe notes
    • Stand-alone investments: $10,000 to $250,000 OR as part of larger financing packages

    Business Assistance

    All financing complemented by comprehensive business assistance:

  • Targeted one-on-one support

  • Immersive training programs (e.g., Food Finance Essentials course)

  • Access to industry expertise

  • Advising and mentorship from Fair Food Network's national network

  • Accounting support partnerships

    • Background

    • Launched: 2012
    • Parent Organization: Fair Food Network (501(c)(3) nonprofit, Tax ID: 26-4143394)
    • Portfolio: 25+ featured investments across multiple states including Michigan, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island
    • Investment Types: Mix of loans, guaranties, and equity investments supporting diverse food businesses

    Contact

    Website: fairfoodnetwork.org

    Inquiry Method: "GET IN TOUCH" button on entrepreneurs page

    How to Apply

    How to Apply

    1. Initiate Contact
    - Click "GET IN TOUCH" button on the Fair Food Fund Entrepreneurs page
    - Or visit contact page at fairfoodnetwork.org

    2. Submission Process
    - Submit inquiry through their contact form
    - Provide initial business information
    - Fair Food Network will review and reach out

    3. Application Materials Needed
    - Current financial statements and position
    - Business plans and future growth projections
    - Documentation of social impact and community service
    - Business incorporation details (U.S. incorporated required)
    - Operating location information (Michigan or Northeast U.S.)

    4. Assessment & Review
    - Team reviews financial sustainability
    - Evaluates social impact and community alignment
    - Assesses path to profitability
    - Customizes financing product to match business needs

    5. Optional Training
    - Businesses may participate in Food Finance Essentials multi-week training course (conducted by Fair Food Fund team)
    - Prepares entrepreneurs for financing
    - May also receive accounting support partnerships

    6. Financing Decision
    - Fair Food Network will contact applicants with next steps
    - Customized financing package offered based on business needs and stage

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    small-businessesagriculturefood-securityminority-businesseswomen-owned-businesses

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Small Business GrantsAgriculture GrantsFood Security GrantsGrants for Minority-Owned BusinessesGrants for Women-Owned Businesses

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