Request for Proposals

Food Well Alliance is working to unite the local food movement by investing in collaborative organizations that are creating a healthy food system that builds resilient communities.  

The demand for local food is increasing in Atlanta. As the local food economy develops, it is essential that both farming enterprises and community-based organizations work together to ensure that all neighborhoods have equitable access to healthy, sustainably-grown, locally-sourced food.

If local farmers want to provide a portion of their harvest at a cost affordable to low-income communities, they must generate enough revenue from production. At the same time, community-based organizations who are working to make healthy, nutritious food more accessible in their neighborhoods, must forge innovative partnerships with local farmers and growers.

This collaborative work is vital to building an equitable food system and a resilient local food movement across Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

Through our 2017 Local Food Grant, Food Well Alliance will invest up to $350,000 in place-based collaborations and systemic solutions that address one of the two funding priorities below:

Economic Development

1. Increase productivity and viability of local farming enterprises

At the root of a resilient local food system are productive and viable farms that are centered around community. Food Well Alliance will invest in local farming enterprises that seek to develop a financially-sustainable business model that incorporates ways to make locally-grown food accessible to low-income communities in Metro Atlanta.

Health and Nutrition

2. Increase access to fresh, healthy food produced locally

 Local farmers and food-focused organizations have a unique opportunity to collaborate and meet the demand for healthy, nutritious foods. Food Well Alliance seeks to fund organizations that make the connection between local food and healthy eating, by increasing awareness and consumption in low-income communities in Metro Atlanta.

Applications due September 27, 2016 at 11:59p.m.

***Don’t see your work included here?***

Food Well Alliance will invest in Community Vitality and Environmental Stewardship through two upcoming opportunities. Later this year, we will request letters of interest for the next Design Table to increase environmental stewardship through community-based composting. In January 2017, we will announce our next Community Garden Grant to support urban gardens that are increasing community vitality in their neighborhoods. Check back soon!

Process

Guidelines

The Local Food Grant offers project support to non-profit organizations, public institutions, and social enterprises that are working with their communities to strengthen the local food system in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties.

Food Well Alliance will make one-year grants for up to $25,000 to those who propose a compelling and detailed project that successfully impacts one of our funding priorities. Only organizations with 501(c)3 status or a registered business in the state of Georgia are eligible to apply.

While our broad goal is to build a healthy, sustainable local food system in Metro Atlanta, Food Well Alliance focuses on community-based approaches that unite organizations working across the local food movement.

Applicants who demonstrate strong project management skills and thoughtful collaboration with placed-based partners will be given priority.

We will only consider proposals from organizations that are using LOCAL food as a transformational tool to build healthier communities in Metro Atlanta.

Areas NOT Funded:

  • Projects outside Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties
  • Projects that do NOT incorporate food produced in and sourced from Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties
  • Research, litigation or legal expenses
  • Projects in which the primary activity is the production of a film, video, or publication (although these can be part of a project or program)
  • Projects in which the primary activity is a conference, workshop, or seminar
  • Partisan political activities
  • Religious organizations for general operating support, sanctuary construction/renovation or mission-focused work. However, we do consider requests from religious organizations with 501(c)3 status to provide project-specific programs related to local food or local farming, and are not limited to a specific religious affiliation

Click here to review our Frequently Asked Questions before submitting your application. Please also review our list of current grant recipients to learn more about the types of organizations Food Well Alliance supports.

Food Well Alliance will host an online webinar on August 16, 2016 at 4:00pm to go over the 2017 Local Food Grant process. Click here to register.

Applications are to be submitted through our on-line grant management system. To learn more about our online system, please click here for a tutorial.

Applications due September 27, 2016 at 11:59p.m.