Feed the Need Grant

The Feed the Need Grant is administered by The Conor J. Casey Foundation, a private philanthropic organization established in 2023 to honor the legacy of Chef Conor, a Western New York native known for his culinary talent and commitment to the importance of nourishment. The Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations that address food insecurity and broader human needs, emphasizing that sustenance extends beyond meals to include the physical, emotional, and social nourishment required for individuals and communities to thrive. Through its grantmaking, the Foundation seeks to uplift organizations that provide both food and care to underserved populations across Western New York. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support projects that align with the Foundation’s mission of delivering comprehensive nourishment. Funded initiatives are expected to address food access, hunger relief, or related services that contribute to well-being. The Foundation encourages a wide range of project types, including innovative, scalable, or community-driven approaches. Projects may vary significantly in scope and budget, reflecting the Foundation’s openness to diverse strategies that meet local needs. For the 2026 funding cycle, the Foundation has allocated up to 100000 dollars in total funding. This includes one Signature Grant of 50000 dollars awarded to a single project demonstrating exceptional scale, innovation, or impact. The remaining 50000 dollars will be distributed among multiple Community Grants to support a variety of smaller or complementary initiatives. All applicants are automatically considered for both funding tiers, and no separate application is required for each category. While specific allowable cost categories are not explicitly detailed, funding is intended to support programmatic activities aligned with the Foundation’s mission. Eligibility for the grant is limited to organizations that hold current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, applicants must be physically located in and primarily serve communities within Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Genesee, or Chautauqua counties in New York State. This geographic restriction ensures that funding remains focused on Western New York, consistent with the Foundation’s regional mission. No information is provided regarding fiscal sponsorship or eligibility for other entity types, indicating a strict nonprofit requirement. The application process is structured within a defined timeline. Applications are accepted from June 1 through July 31, 2026. Following submission, the Foundation’s board conducts a review period from August 1 through August 31, during which applicants may be contacted for clarification or additional information. Final funding decisions are communicated on September 15, 2026, and grant funds are distributed on October 15, 2026. The process does not include a pre-application phase such as a letter of intent, and all applicants submit a full proposal within the application window. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly outlined, but the distinction between Signature and Community Grants suggests that proposals are assessed based on factors such as scale, innovation, impact, and alignment with mission. Projects demonstrating measurable outcomes or unique approaches to addressing food insecurity may be more competitive for the larger award. While no contact details or formal application platform are specified, the structured timeline and review process indicate a formalized internal evaluation system managed by the Foundation. The Feed the Need Grant appears to be an annual initiative tied to the Foundation’s ongoing mission, though recurrence is not explicitly stated. Based on the defined 2026 cycle and structured timeline, it is reasonable to anticipate future funding rounds following a similar schedule. Applicants should plan to prepare comprehensive proposals that clearly demonstrate organizational capacity, community impact, and alignment with the Foundation’s vision of holistic nourishment.