FoodShare Outreach Partner Grant Program

The FoodShare Outreach Partner Solicitation is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, which oversees the state’s implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known locally as FoodShare. The department works collaboratively with a wide range of partners, including state and local agencies, employers, advocacy groups, and community- and faith-based organizations, to increase awareness and participation among eligible low-income populations. This solicitation represents an annual opportunity for such partners to propose outreach initiatives that help identify and connect individuals who are not currently enrolled but may qualify for FoodShare benefits. The primary purpose of this opportunity is to expand program reach and improve access to nutritional assistance by funding outreach efforts. Rather than offering traditional grant awards, the program operates on a reimbursement model under the federal SNAP Outreach Program. Approved outreach activities that meet federal guidelines are eligible for reimbursement at a rate of 25 percent of incurred administrative costs. This structure emphasizes cost efficiency and compliance, requiring applicants to carefully plan and document eligible outreach expenditures aligned with program objectives. Eligible activities generally include efforts to inform and assist potentially eligible individuals about FoodShare, such as application assistance, public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with trusted community organizations. While the solicitation encourages innovative outreach strategies, all proposed activities must adhere to federal SNAP promotion rules and guidance. Applicants must ensure that expenditures claimed for reimbursement are allowable, reasonable, and properly documented, as reimbursement is contingent upon approval and compliance with program requirements. The solicitation is open to a broad set of organizational types, including government entities at various levels, nonprofit organizations, employers, and community-based groups. Faith-based organizations are also explicitly included, provided their outreach efforts align with program guidelines and do not conflict with federal restrictions. The emphasis on partnerships reflects the department’s recognition that trusted local entities are best positioned to reach underserved populations and reduce barriers to enrollment. To apply, interested organizations must complete and submit specific required templates provided by the department. These include an Outreach Project Plan Template in Microsoft Word and a corresponding Outreach Budget Template in Microsoft Excel. Submissions that do not use these official templates will not be considered complete. The application process requires detailed descriptions of planned outreach activities, target populations, implementation strategies, and projected budgets. Additional guidance documents and templates are provided to assist applicants in preparing compliant and competitive proposals. Applications are evaluated based on criteria outlined in the solicitation materials, with funding requests not directly influencing evaluation outcomes. Instead, emphasis is placed on the quality, feasibility, and alignment of proposed outreach activities with program goals. The solicitation includes a structured timeline, with a public posting and submission window followed by review and potential approval for reimbursement eligibility. Questions from applicants are addressed through official question and answer documents, ensuring clarity and consistency in the application process. The solicitation opens in early March and closes at the end of April for the current cycle. This opportunity is issued annually, allowing organizations to submit new or continuing outreach proposals each year. Applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare submissions in advance of the deadline. Contact with the Vendor Management Section within the Bureau of Eligibility is available for inquiries, providing applicants with a direct channel for clarification and support throughout the process.

Ensure strict use of required templates and align outreach activities with SNAP eligibility and reimbursement rules; incomplete submissions will not be considered