Published : 15 July 2020
Target audience: Food Pantry or Food Bank Executive Director
As you prepare to work with your grant writer on submitting applications for emergency COVID-19 funding for your Food Pantry or Food Banks, access to the data, and financials and numbers is very important. While your grantwriter will compose a compelling narrative for your needs, funders want to know that they are providing dollars to organizations that are solvent and on firm footing. You will need to provide most, if not all of this information.
Here’s a list of things most funders ask for when applying for COVID-19 funding:
LEGAL STATUS
- W-9 Tax Form
- Proof of Non-Profit Status
ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION
- Full Legal Name of Organization
- Billing address and mail-to address (for check receipt).
- Primary Contact (and their contact information: phone, email).
- Budget amounts and Financial Outlook (Previous year, next three months, and six months out)
- Board of Directors
- Names
- Title and their community occupation
- Mission Statement
- Federal ID Number (EIN)
- Number of clients served (annually, per month).
- Number of bags or boxes prepared. (For snack bag programs)
- Number of staff (paid and volunteer)
- Estimated number of pounds of food distributed annually.
Project Impact and Financial Information
- Proposed Project Title
- Number of Food Pantries/Partners that will receive funds for this project
- Total Amount of Money Requested for Project
Grant Proposal Information
- Project Summary – A short synopsis of how you intend to use the awarded money.
- Project Purpose – Be able to provide a detailed proposal with how you intend to use the awarded money. Specifically explain how you are meeting the unique challenges presented by the COVID-19 public health crisis for your organization and your network pantries/partners.
- Expected Measurable Outcomes – The foundation providing the funding wants to know how you will demonstrate success of this project. Here are a few examples of measurable outcomes:
- Increase in the number of people provided food
- Increase in the pounds of food served
- Increase in the capacity of cold storage for perishable foods
- Expansion of service area
In addition to this information, your professional grant writer will compile needs data and reference information for your community and county including unemployment statistics, nourishment data (school lunch info from the district), and other compelling articles or features regarding your program. If you were recently featured in a community newspaper article on televised newscast, let your grant writer know, so they can include this information.
New grant funding opportunities are opening each day as foundations respond to the increased need for revenue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering to assist your organization by providing research and one emergency funding proposal submission at no charge. Please contact Jean Majercin for assistance with securing grant funds.