Capacity Building Grant Program Overview 

Strengthening capacity and capabilities. 

For the eighth consecutive year, Maryland Food Bank (MFB) will offer Food First Capacity Grants to its eligible partners (Network Partners, Higher Ed Partners, Pantry on the Go partners, partners of our Redistribution Organizations, or RDOs themselves). MFB is committed to helping support our partners to get to the next level of operational, financial, programmatic, and organizational maturity so they can more effectively and efficiently advance our shared mission of a strong and sustainable food system for all Marylanders.  

Expanding capacity and capabilities 

Food First Capacity Building grants support the programmatic capacity and capabilities for eligible MFB partners. For Fiscal Year 26 (FY26), MFB will be narrowing our focus to prioritize awarding proposals that support the long-term sustainability of our partners and center the neighbor experience. This could include purchasing equipment that can be shared with neighboring pantries and community services organizations; shifting to a choice pantry; outsourcing support for web-development, fundraising, sustainability and strategic planning; or funding facilities and organizational infrastructure updates that center the neighbor experience. A successful outcome of these initiatives should show increased organizational sustainability and ability to weather uncertain times.  

Application evaluation factors 

In previous years, most grants were awarded for capacity expansions like refrigeration or shelving, or small capital improvements. In FY26, Food First Capacity Building Grants will be evaluated primarily on how well the proposed project outcomes align with key indicators that define effective partnership: our partner RECIPE (Responsive, Enduring, Centers Neighbors, Innovative, Present, and Engaged):   

• Responsive outcomes could include permanent expansions that increase capacity to distribute food.  

• Enduring outcomes could include building fundraising capacity, organizational succession and longevity planning, improved volunteer retention and recruitment efforts, diversifying food sources, integrating technologies to improve administrative efficiencies, and/or updating roles or organizational structure. 

• Centers Neighbors outcomes could include establishing or expanding pantry choice options, listening sessions with neighbors, improving pantry accessibility, introducing or expanding wraparound services.  

• Innovative outcomes could include introducing a new, creative solution to a challenge you are facing or implementing a new strategic plan to adopt best practice guidelines. 

• Present outcomes could include community collaboration efforts, proposals that involve resource sharing, or other measures to increase opportunities for connections with neighbors. 

• Engaged Engagement with MFB (or your RDO if you are a downstream partner) is a part of our grant evaluation factors. This engagement can look like attending regional gatherings, being responsive to requests for feedback, and/or reliable communication with the Maryland Food Bank.  Our primary goal is a strong partnership, and we know that these connection points are essential in achieving that goal.  

MFB is looking for ways that the funds can strengthen your organization’s alignment with this RECIPE for partnership.  

Partner Eligibility 

MFB will base eligibility for this competitive grant opportunity on the following criteria:  

• Active Network Partners, RDOs, Higher Ed Partners, or partners of our Redistribution Organizations (RDOs) in good standing (i.e., strong working relationship, current partner agreement on file, positive history, no compliance issues) with the Maryland Food Bank or the RDO, as applicable. New partners must be fully onboarded to be eligible for a Capacity Grant.  

• All Maryland Food Bank or RDO accounts are current (e.g., no past due balances). 

• Organizations that have not received a Capacity Building Grant from the Maryland Food Bank in the past year will have priority. If you have received a grant in FY25, you are welcome to apply but cannot request funding for the same project.  

• If you previously received a capacity grant from MFB, you must submit a final report on time for your previous grant award to be eligible for a new grant.  

While MFB will still review and consider applications that are for more traditional capacity building, we encourage partners to consider submitting proposals that support their long-term sustainability and center the neighbor experience, in alignment with the partnership RECIPE outlined above. 

Eligible Expenses  

Funds may include, but are not limited to, the following expenses:  

• Staff costs for fundraising initiatives and/or community outreach efforts. 

• Conducting listening sessions on neighbor needs and adjusting pantry hours, improving accessibility, and adding services to improve neighbor experience. 

• Website development to improve fundraising and community information sharing. 

• Procurement of equipment or services that will be used in collaboration with other service organizations or pantries. 

• Funding for strategic and budget planning initiatives. 

• Staff or board member skill-building sessions, such as diversity and equity training or initiatives. 

• Expansion of space to improve neighbor choice, including repairs that return unusable space to usability (e.g. replacing a broken air conditioner). 

• ADA needs and/or safety improvements to better neighbor experience  

• Introducing trauma informed and privacy practices to pantry operations.   

• Design services for marketing materials for awareness of services and volunteers, including translation services. 

 Ineligible Expenses 

Funding may NOT be requested for: 

• Food purchases (from MFB or other sources) 

• Previously purchased equipment or completed projects. 

Content of grant application 

• Impact and Outcomes. Describe how the grant award would help you better serve your community and decrease food insecurity. 

• Long-term capacity building. Applicants will be required to share how this proposal fits into the long-term plan for the program. 

• Reporting: Grantees will be required to submit a brief final report before the end of the grant period. Grantees will be asked to account for any costs over $2,000 (save your receipt). 

• Financial Information. Applicants must provide a budget and budget narrative. 

• Supplemental Materials. W-9. 

Level of Support 

Awards will be between $500 - $7,000 per grantee. Partners can receive only one Capacity award per fiscal year.  

Submission Format and Key Dates