OFB Capacity Building Grants

The Oregon Food Bank's Capacity Building Grants aim to empower organizations addressing food insecurity, particularly among underserved populations such as BIPOC, immigrants, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities. These grants support projects that enhance advocacy efforts, expand access to food programs, and improve infrastructure. By prioritizing equity and community engagement, the initiative seeks to dismantle systemic barriers to food security and promote lasting change across Oregon.

Note: Oregon Food Bank offers two types of NSF grants to Regional Food Banks and Partner Agencies who are part of the Oregon Food Bank (OFB) Network of Regional Food Banks.
Capacity Building Grants (CBG) support projects working to intentionally address inequities faced by people most impacted by food insecurity, with a focus on the following underserved populations (referred to as ‘priority populations’) who are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity:

• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
• Immigrants and refugees
• People who are transgender, gender expansive and LGBTQIA2S+
• Single moms and caregivers

Organizations led by or are working in partnership with one or more of these populations will be prioritized, or will be given greater consideration if projects can demonstrate they will impact at least one of these communities.
Ending Hunger initiatives working to address the root causes of hunger, (such as racism, classism, poverty, affordable housing, lack of healthcare, or fair wages) through mobilizing, organizing, and building power with community members. Projects could include:Advocacy and organizing for change in Local, County and State Governments.Funding for Advocacy, organizing or food systems staffing to help the organization more deeply engage in work to change the systems that cause hunger.Events or trainings around advocacy and movement building, which may include support such as child care, translation services, and travel.Diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings to further advance addressing the root causes of hunger.
Capital and Infrastructure support for technology upgrades/investments, facility updates/renovations or funding towards a new facility, which could include:P2 (Primarius2) rollout support.Designing trauma-informed spaces.Increasing staff wages and removing pay inequities.Hiring diversity, equity and inclusion focused staff.Funding Development / Fundraising / Community Philanthropy staffing to help bring or increase donor funds to the organization.

Eligibility

Organizations working towards becoming a Partner Agency (PA) with support from your local Regional Food Bank (RFB) may apply for funding to use towards becoming a Partner Agency in OFB’s Network.Partner Agencies are eligible for both Rapid Response and Capacity Building Grants.
Regional Food Banks may apply for multiple Rapid Response and Capacity Building Grants.