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The Growing Justice Fund is a collaborative effort aimed at advancing equity in the food system by investing in the leadership and solutions of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant communities. Through grants of $25,000 to $250,000, we support organizations working to strengthen food value chains, build local wealth, and promote good food procurement.
GROWING JUSTICE aims to invest in efforts to solidify the leadership, dignity and power of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian and immigrant people to identify and drive solutions that expand the market for good food from locally or regionally owned, and environmentally and economically sustainable farms, ranches, fisheries and food businesses.
Million dollars to be distributed in the next 10 years
Grant Applications received in the 2023 grant cycle
Organizations selected for grants in 2023
Million dollars to be distributed in 2024
The Growing Justice Fund offers grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 to support community-led initiatives that advance equitable food procurement. These grants empower Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant (BIPOC+) communities engaged in food markets to secure institutional contracts and gain economic viability. Through large-scale procurement opportunities with community-serving institutions—such as schools, hospitals, and elder care centers—these grants foster equitable access to food buying revenue and help build wealth in historically marginalized communities.
Planning Grants (up to $25,000) help organizations in the early stages of project development by funding strategic research, stakeholder engagement, partnership building, and project planning. These grants lay the groundwork for future implementation by strengthening leadership and preparing for sustainable initiatives.
Implementation Grants (ranging from $50,000 to $250,000) are designed for fully developed projects ready to scale. These grants focus on building infrastructure for equitable food procurement, supporting BIPOC+ producers, food hubs, cooperatives, and policy advocacy, ensuring that these communities thrive as key players in institutional markets.
Eligible applicants include community-led organizations, community-based organizations, Tribal Nations, or the instrumentalities of Tribal Nations, and other leaders that are:
Please note that only 501(c)(3) organizations, or those with a fiscal sponsor that holds a 501(c)(3) status, will be eligible to receive funding through the Growing Justice Fund.
GROWING JUSTICE seeks to support organizations that have been active in the value-based food supply chain for at least the past two years* and organizations that have existing partnerships or aspire to build partnerships with others in the value-based food supply chain.
*While we encourage applicants with at least two years of engagement in the value-based food supply chain, this eligibility criterion is not required for planning grant applicants. The planning grant will be accessible to smaller organizations, emerging coalitions, and those in the process of movement-building.
GROWING JUSTICE aims to invest in efforts to solidify the leadership, dignity and power of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian and immigrant people to identify and drive solutions that expand the market for good food from locally or regionally owned, and environmentally and economically sustainable farms, ranches, fisheries and food businesses.
Support for BIPOC+ good food producers, manufacturers, aggregators, small processors, and distributors to enter the institutional market and/or expand their business with institutions. These entities should be dedicated to specific community-serving institutions.
Support for community coalitions and organizations that build power to engage institutions and governments to pass policy initiatives that include commitments to good food procurement and legal parameters for an institution or jurisdiction’s good food procurement priorities.
Support for inter- and intra-Nation work, including within Tribal Nations and across Tribal Nations, to increase food production and distribution for their direct communities, as well as distribution efforts to non-Tribal institutions serving Tribal and native peoples.
The application period for the Growing Justice Fund begins, and interested organizations can start submitting proposals.
The deadline to submit applications for the Growing Justice Fund closes, and no further submissions will be accepted.
Applications are carefully reviewed by the Growing Justice Fund team to assess alignment with the fund’s priorities and eligibility criteria.
After a thorough evaluation, the selected grantees for the Growing Justice Fund are chosen. Funds will be distributed at the end of December.
The final grantees are publicly announced, while grantees begin preparations for implementation of grant funds.
In 2023, GROWING JUSTICE awarded over $3.5 million in grants to 20+ organizations working to transform food systems in their Tribes, regions and communities.
Eligible grantseekers may need fiscal sponsorship to apply. GROWING JUSTICE has compiled the following resources about the process of finding and selecting an appropriate fiscal sponsor.
DIRECTORIES
HOW-TO
Eligible grantseekers may seek additional assistance by contacting the GROWING JUSTICE Support Team.
All eligible grantseekers are considered a “good fit” for GROWING JUSTICE grantmaking and are encouraged to apply. For more information, please review the “Who is Eligible to Apply” section. We also recommend reviewing “Our Funding Priorities” listed in the announcement and on our website: www.growingjusticefund.org.
An informational webinar will be held for grantseekers on Wednesday, October 23rd, from 1-2 pm ET/10-11 am PT. The webinar will discuss eligibility criteria and how to submit a complete and effective application aligned with the vision, values, and purpose of GROWING JUSTICE. A recording of the webinar will be available to all registrants. Click here to register.
Large institutions–such as schools, hospitals, and public agencies–are strongly encouraged to partner with an applicant who meets the eligibility criteria and will serve as the project lead.
Please refer to our “Who is Eligible to Apply” section for more specific eligibility information.
Social enterprises–such as small food production or distribution businesses–are strongly encouraged to apply. Such organizations are encouraged to partner with a non-profit fiscal sponsor to qualify.
Please refer to our “Who is Eligible to Apply” section for more specific eligibility information.
The limits for GROWING JUSTICE funds are guided by the limits to philanthropic funding of tax-exempt organizations, such as 501c3 organizations. GROWING JUSTICE aims to support community-defined needs and has not imposed additional restrictions at this time. Applicants are encouraged to include information about how proposed activities will support equitable good food procurement in service to the vision and values of GROWING JUSTICE.
Applications are due Friday, November 15th, at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET. Grant seekers are strongly encouraged to complete the Eligibility Quiz by November 1 to allow ample time to receive an invitation and submit an application. GROWING JUSTICE aims to select grantees by December 16th and publicly announce grantees in early January.
GROWING JUSTICE grants can be issued for 1-2 years for implementation grants and up to one year for planning grants. No funding of more than $250,000 for implementation grants or $25,000 for planning grants will be awarded, regardless of duration. Applicants should specify the requested time duration in their proposals.
Many grantseekers will work with partners across the food value chain to submit proposals to advance equitable good food procurement. We applaud these efforts! These grantseekers should ensure that the project lead meets all the eligibility criteria and that the partners are listed as part of the “team” in the application.
Please refer to this document for grantee narrative and financial reporting requirements if and when funds are awarded.
Get started on your Growing Justice application today!
For any additional questions, please contact support@growingjusticefund.org.
Si desea solicitar el Fondo en un idioma distinto del inglés, póngase en contacto con support@growingjusticefund.org para obtener información sobre la solicitud en el idioma específico.
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GROWING JUSTICE: The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a project of the Amalgamated Foundation
GROWING JUSTICE: The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a project of the Amalgamated Foundation