GFPI Community Fund

GFPI Community Fund

Funder: Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC)

Geographic Scope: Metro Chicago region; locally-based organizations with primary operations in Illinois and/or within 250 miles of Chicago (500 miles for meat, poultry, and seafood). Must serve Suburban Cook County and/or Metro Chicago.

Focus Areas:

Increasing access to Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP)-aligned produce and food products

Supporting systemically marginalized farmers and food businesses

Building local economies

Sustainable practices

Fair labor standards

Animal welfare

Nutrition and food equity

Institutional and community food access

Objective: To increase access to GFPP-aligned produce and food products in the Metro Chicago region through providing financial and technical support to systemically marginalized, local farms and food businesses working to increase community food access.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:

Farmers: Systemically marginalized, local farmers (rural and urban, indoor and outdoor growers) adhering to/striving towards GFPP values. Small to midsize operations (less than 150 employees and/or less than $750,000 in annual revenue)

Food Organizations/Businesses: Local food processors, value-add manufacturers, food service providers, caterers, prepared food providers, distributors, and aggregators aligned with GFPP values

Legal Structure: Privately, cooperatively, or non-profit owned and operated

Systemically Marginalized: Organization/business owned/controlled by leaders experiencing social, economic, and/or political exclusion based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, and/or religion

Required Criteria:

Desire to supply/sell to Community Meal Sites and/or Public Institutions in Metro Chicago region

Desire to collaborate with other mission-aligned farms/food businesses

Serve Suburban Cook County/Metro Chicago

Locally based (Illinois and/or within 250-mile radius of Chicago)

Community Meal Sites/Food Access Sites Include:

Food banks, food pantries, mutual aid programs, health centers, community gardens

Public Meal Programs Include:

Schools, early childcare centers, hospitals, community centers, senior centers, living and care communities

Public or Private Institutions Include:

City of Chicago, Sister Agencies, Cook County Government, libraries, hospitals, universities, government offices, correctional facilities, community centers

Multiple Applications: Organizations may apply with multiple projects (more than one application per business). Previous awardees may apply for additional funding. Maximum of one grant awarded per organization/business per year.

Funding Details

Award Amount: $40,000 - $80,000 (flexible grants)

Match Requirement: None; no reimbursement necessary

Disbursement: Funds disbursed at start of grant period (November 2025) in one or two direct disbursements (preference indicated during onboarding)

Spending Flexibility: Intentionally flexible funding with minimal restrictions. Organizations work with GFPI Community Fund Manager to co-create budget and milestones aligned with organizational needs and project scope.

Project Period

• Start: December 2025
• End: December 2026 (one calendar year)
• All funds must be spent by: November 2026

Additional Benefits

Technical Assistance (TA): Tailored TA offerings available in categories including:

Farm Operations Equipment/Purchasing

HR/Staff/Training/Project Management

Finance, Planning & Accounting Support

Marketing, Pricing & Sales

Certifications

Fundraising

Nutritional Guidance

Legal Support (Business Development)

Custom TA options

Networking & Exposure Opportunities: Awardees invited to onboard and network with other grant awardees; opportunities to highlight organization across GFPI and CFPAC networks

Quarterly Check-ins: Required quarterly check-ins with GFPI Community Fund Manager providing coaching, project support, and industry connections

Measurement & Evaluation: GFPI Community Fund Program Manager assists in developing measurable goals; quarterly tracking on progress; qualitative data collection (on-site interviews) at end of grant period

Contact

CFPAC Community Fund Manager: Kaitlyn Poindexter (KP), kaitlyn@chicagofoodpolicy.com

Application Timeline for 2026 Round

• Application Opens: August 4, 2025
• Application Closes: Monday, September 8, 2025 at 11:59 PM CDT
• Final Award Decisions: End of October 2025/Early November 2025
• Funding Disseminated: November 2025