Last updated: 8/12/21

Food Sovereignty Grants

This grant program provides funding for urban farming and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) projects. We want to give Boston residents better access to healthy and affordable food, and support Boston-based farmers throughout different seasons.

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The Office of Food Access is offering two food sovereignty grants for farmers and gardeners. This initiative seeks to address inequitable access to affordable and healthy food through urban farming projects and subsidized CSA boxes. Applicants may apply to one or both.

APPLY for the grants

APLIQUE PARA ESTE PROGRAMA DE FONDOS

Have questions? Contact:

Food Access
FOOD@BOSTON.GOV
617-635-3717
DEADLINE

Monday, August 16, at 5 p.m. (EST)

Application and eligibility

Eligibility

We invite residents and nonprofits serving Boston residents to submit proposals. It is open to any individual or entity who would like to respond. The City encourages participation from:

small and local
minority-led
women-led, and
other disadvantaged entities.

Applicant organizations must serve Boston residents.

Partnerships

The City encourages existing or planned collaborations with and among local community groups. While partners are encouraged, they are not required.

Prepare to apply

PROPOSAL FOCUS

Applicants may receive funding for one or both initiatives. To be eligible for funding, proposals must do at least one of the following:

Raised beds

Build and install raised garden beds for program participants
Provide technical gardening help and education for program participants
Actively build community and engage with program participants

Subsidized CSA boxes

Provide CSA boxes to older adults identified by the Office of Access and the Age Strong Commission

TIMELINE

Both programs will launch in summer 2021 and continue in fall 2021, winter 2021, and spring 2022.
Grantees will make seasonal commitments (for summer 2021, fall 2021, winter 2021, and spring 2022)

BUDGET

Applicants will submit a budget proposal using our template.
The budget for this program is to be spent on raised beds or CSA boxes (or both), technical assistance, administrative costs, and labor.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The evaluation criteria for this grant’s review process are available online. Review the evaluation criteria.

VENDOR ID

To apply, you need to become a registered vendor with the City of Boston and have received your vendor ID. You can sign up for a Vendor ID through these instructions:

Complete the application

Gather all materials necessary for the application

City of Boston vendor ID
Nonprofit Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Copy of the most recent Form 990 from your organization (or your fiscal sponsor, if applicable), or most recent audited financial statements or annual report
A signed IRS Form W-9 from your organization (or your fiscal sponsor, if applicable)
Budget proposal using our template

Fill out the application

Once you begin the application, you will not have the option to save your work. Before you begin the application, you can preview the questions.

APPLY for the grants

Application help and review process

OFFICE HOURS

Do you have a question about your application? Do you need help applying? Join us for office hours on:

Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Tuesday, August 10, 2021, or
Friday, August 13, 2021.

You will get help in navigating the application process.

SELECTION PROCESS

You will receive an email confirmation after your submission has been received.

After reviewing your application, you will be updated on your applications status. Applicants can expect to be notified about awarding decisions by August 23, 2021.