UNFI Foundation Annual Grant Program

Program Type: Invitation-only grant program

Geographic Scope: United States and Canada

Mission: The UNFI Foundation awards grants annually to support organizations driving meaningful change in food system sustainability and equity.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation partners with nonprofits supporting initiatives that create a more sustainable and equitable food system:

• Climate Smart Agriculture: Supporting regenerative producers through technical assistance, certification support, land access and restoration, capital access, market access, and research initiatives to advance regenerative agricultural practices
• Food Access Innovations: Improving food access in underserved areas through innovative programming and systems change, with emphasis on wasted food prevention, alternative distribution models, nutrition incentive programs, and food as medicine approaches
• Food Equity: Nourishing equity, inclusion, and justice in the food system through equitable food business development, including support for BIPOC and women-owned food entrepreneurs and equitable food procurement
• Local Food Economies: Empowering local food economies for inclusive and resilient food systems through institutional procurement shifts and critical infrastructure such as food hubs and aggregators

Eligibility

• Must be a nonprofit organization
• Must have a presence and influence positive change within communities in the United States or Canada
• Selected by invitation only following nomination process

What the Foundation Does NOT Fund

• Conferences
• Direct grants to individuals
• International organizations or projects
• Political campaigns and legislative lobbying efforts
• Endowments
• Private foundations
• Projects that exclusively serve religious purposes
• Governmental agencies
• Sponsorships, advertising, or fundraising

Grant Process

1. Associate Nominations: UNFI associates identify and nominate causes in their local communities
2. Invitation to Apply: Foundation Ambassadors review nominations and extend invitations to apply to organizations meeting funding priorities
3. Review: Foundation Grant Reviewers carefully evaluate and score all applications for alignment with mission
4. Annual Awards: Grants awarded annually for a one-year grant period

Application Process

The UNFI Foundation operates on a nomination-based system. Applications are by invitation only.

• Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals
• The Foundation does not accept direct applications
• Eligible organizations receive invitations to apply after being nominated by UNFI associates and reviewed by Foundation Ambassadors
• Due to small staff size, the Foundation is unable to schedule introductory meetings

How to Get Involved

To potentially receive funding:

1. Have a presence making positive change within communities in the United States or Canada
2. Align work with one or more of the four funding priorities
3. Wait to be identified and nominated by UNFI associates in your community
4. If selected by Foundation Ambassadors, respond to invitation to apply