Community Outreach Leaders Grant
Funding to support community leadership, outreach, and education about government nutrition assistance programs (SNAP, HIP, DUFB, and Summer Eats)
UPDATE: The grant application closed on March 27, 2024.
The Mayor’s Office of Food Justice (OFJ) is accepting applications for funding to support community-led outreach and education about government nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), Boston Double Up Food Bucks (BDUFB), and the Summer Eats summer meal program. The goals of the Community Outreach Leaders are to increase SNAP enrollment and HIP and DUFB utilization by training community leaders to educate their peers about these and other food assistance programs.
If you need this information in a language other than English, contact foodgrants@boston.gov or call 617-635-0708.
Background
The city seeks to help community members better access existing federally funded nutrition assistance programs that we know are underutilized. In Boston, on average 42% of households that are eligible for SNAP are not enrolled. Even those who are enrolled in SNAP frequently find that those funds are insufficient. Programs like HIP and DUFB can help stretch those benefits and increase access to fresh and nutritious foods by doubling the value of SNAP when it’s used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. These programs are also underutilized, despite not requiring any additional applications. Low-income and eligible residents are not using these programs for a number of reasons including: not knowing about the programs, misinformation, difficulties with the application process, stigma, and fears of applying because of immigration status.
Peer-to-peer assistance in informing and enrolling in government nutrition assistance programs can increase participation by increasing awareness of these programs, making the information clearer and application process more accessible, and reducing stigma around using these benefits.
The Community Outreach Leaders grant will support programs that train community leaders to assist peers and community members (1) sign up for SNAP, (2) understand and utilize HIP, (3) understand and utilize BDUFB, and (4) participate in other food access programs, including the Boston Eats summer meal program. Moreover, grantees will propose ways in which outreach workers may help bridge the gap between improving a system and transforming it—this may include relevant training, participation in advocacy activities, or other creative ideas.
Full grant description
Grant descriptionDetails and Timeline
Funds
The Community Outreach Leaders Grant will be funded through OFJ’s operating funds. OFJ will likely award 3-4 grants of $20,000 - 25,000, but applicants can apply for up to $30,000. We highly encourage applicants to partner and collaborate with other organizations.
Eligibility
Applicants must be 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations that serve Boston residents. If the organization is not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, they can apply with a fiscal sponsor.
Deadline
Grant applications are due on March 27. Late applications will not be accepted.
Contact
If you have any questions, you can contact Nisreen Abo-Sido by emailing nisreen.abosido@boston.gov or calling 617-635-0708
Grant Timeline
| Application Launch Date | Wednesday, February 28, 2024 |
| Information Session / Applicant Q&A Date and virtual link |
March 13, 2024, 2:00 - 3:00pm
|
| Application Deadline | Wednesday, March 27, 2024 |
| Review period | Early April |
| Award notification timeline | mid-April |
| Grant duration | May - November |
Application
ApplicationNotice of Accommodations
English: Interpretation, translation, and disability accommodation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at foodgrants@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov, or 617-635-0708
Spanish - Español: Hay servicios de interpretación, traducción y adaptaciones para discapacidades a su disposición sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros mandando un correo electrónico a foodgrants@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov o llamando a 617-635-0708.
Haitian Creole -Kreyòl ayisyen: Sèvis entèpretasyon, tradiksyon, ak sèvis akomodasyon pou andikape disponib pou ou gratis. Si w bezwen sèvis sa yo, tanpri kontakte nou nan foodgrants@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov oswa 617-635-0708.
Traditional Chinese - 繁體中文: 我們可以為您提供免費的口譯, 筆譯, 和殘疾人士合理照顧服務。如有需要，請與我們連絡，發電子郵件至 foodgrants@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov 或致電 617-635-0708
Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt: Các dịch vụ thông dịch, dịch thuật và hỗ trợ người khuyết tật được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Nếu bạn cần họ, vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi theo địa chỉ foodgrants@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov hoặc 617-635-0708.
Simplified Chinese - 简体中文: 我们可以为您提供免费的口译, 笔译, 和残疾人士合理照顾服务。如有需要，请与我们联系, 发电子邮件foodgrants@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov 或致电 617-635-0708
Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu: Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email foodgrants@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru 617-635-0708.
Arabic - العربية
خدمات الترجمة الشفوية والتحريرية والتسهيلات لذوي الإعاقة متوفرة لك دون تحملك أي تكلفة. إذا احتجت لهذه الخدمات، يرجى التواصل معنا على البريد الألكتروني foodgrants@boston.gov ،(LCA@boston.gov)، أو على رقم الهاتف 6176350708.
Russian -Русский: Услуги устного и письменного перевода и по приспособлению инвалидов предоставляются бесплатно. Если Вам они нужны, просьба связаться с нами по адресу электронной почты foodgrants@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov либо по телефону 617-635-0708
Portuguese - Português: Disponibilizamos serviços de tradução e interpretação e adaptações especiais para pessoas com deficiências gratuitamente. Para solicitar, envie e-mail para foodgrants@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ou ligue para 617-635-0708
French - Français: Les services d'interprétation, de traduction et d'adaptation aux personnes handicapées sont à votre disposition gratuitement. Si vous en avez besoin, veuillez nous contacter à foodgrants@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ou au 617-635-0708
Somali - Af Soomaali: Adeegyada tarjumaadda luuqadaha iyo hoyga naafada ayaa diyaar kuu ah adiga oo aan wax kharash ah ka bixin. Haddii aad u baahatid iyaga, fadlan nagala soo xiriir foodgrants@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ama 617-635-0708
