Capacity Grant Program Overview

Strengthening capacity and capabilities.

For the seventh consecutive year, Maryland Food Bank (MFB) will offer Food First Capacity Grants to its eligible partners (Network Partners, Higher Ed Partners, and for the first time, Pantry on the Go Partners, and partners of our Redistribution Organizations, or RDOs). MFB is committed to helping our partners with what’s needed to bring you to the next level of operational, financial, programmatic, and organizational maturity so you may more effectively and efficiently advance your mission.

Expanding capacity and capabilities

Food First Capacity Grants support the programmatic capacity and capabilities for eligible MFB partners through investments in infrastructure - systems, operations, and items that strengthen the organization and improve neighbor experience. Examples include: equipment, vehicles, refrigeration, storage, and technology; items to improve visibility, safety, and efficiency of same-day distributions; marketing, fundraising, and web development; skill-building for board members and staff; diversity and equity initiatives; and leadership development. The successful outcome of these initiatives could include an increase in pounds distributed, the number of neighbors served, the nutritional quality of food distributed, expanded capacity to run new or additional programs, and/or an improvement in organizational infrastructure, vision, strategic direction, sustainability.

Application evaluation factors

Food First Capacity Grants are primarily intended to support permanent capacity expansions.  The most common historical uses of these grants have been purchasing refrigeration or shelving, making small capital improvements, and supporting the purchase of a vehicle. Any use that can demonstrate a measurable improvement in your organization’s capacity to support our neighbors (within your program’s approved distribution model) is eligible. These grants no longer require a grantee match.

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

• Active Network Partners, Higher Ed Partners, Pantry on the Go 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. 
• All Maryland Food Bank or RDO accounts are current (e.g., no past due balances).
• Organizations must not discriminate in the provision of service, against any person because of race, color, citizenship, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran.
• Organizations that have not received a Capacity Building Grant from the Maryland Food Bank in the past year will have priority. If you received a grant in FY23, 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. 

Eligible Expenses 

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

• Technology – computer hardware or purchase of software, including setup or customization fees.
• Design services for marketing materials for awareness of services and volunteers, including translation services.
• Signage, traffic cones, and safety equipment to direct flow of traffic.
• Staff or board member skill-building sessions, such as diversity and equity training or initiatives.
• Expansion of space to add storage and/or improve neighbor choice, including repairs that return unusable space to usability (e.g. replacing a broken air conditioner).
• Tables to enable partner to offer a choice POTG distribution. 
• Pop-up tents for inclement weather/sun.
• Acquisition of a refrigerated vehicle.
• ADA needs and/or safety improvements to better neighbor experience 
• Staff costs for projects that build capacity, such as fundraising. 
• Safe food handling equipment (e.g., freezer, refrigerator, freezer blankets, thermometers).
• Additional storage (carts or equipment to improve upon the ease and safety of handling or distributing food, or to increase distribution of nutritious food).

Note: if purchasing equipment, the items requested must align with the compliance requirements of your MFB partnership

Ineligible Expenses

Funding may NOT be requested for:

• Food purchases (from MFB or other sources)
• Bags, boxes, or “single use” distribution items
• Previously purchased equipment or completed projects.
• Items outside of the approved scope of your distribution model.

Content of grant application

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

·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

MFB is dedicating $550,000 to this initiative statewide. Awards will be between $500 - $7,000 per grantee. Partners can receive only one Capacity award per fiscal year. 

Submission Format and Key Dates

Grant applications must be submitted through the SM Apply link provided

• Informational Webinar & FAQs                Link to Recording & FAQs
• Application Opens                                       On or before October 2, 2023
• Application Period (rolling)                       October 2 - ongoing 
• Grant Notification (award or decline)      Within 90 days after submission 
• Grant Period:                                                One year from award date 
• Final Report Due:                                         One month after Grant Period ends