Predevelopment Technical Assistance Grants

The Predevelopment Technical Assistance Grant Program is administered by the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative (KHFI), a public-private partnership focused on increasing access to affordable, healthy foods in low-resource and underserved communities across Kansas. KHFI supports this goal through technical assistance and financing—offering a mix of loans and grants designed to aid the development, renovation, or expansion of healthy food retail. The initiative is led by the Kansas Health Foundation and operates through key partners, including the Rural Grocery Initiative at K-State Extension, Network Kansas, and IFF, a community development financial institution. Strategic direction is provided by The Food Trust, a national leader in food access advocacy. Since its inception, KHFI has supported dozens of projects across the state, demonstrating its commitment to fostering equitable food systems. This particular grant opportunity supports projects in the early stages of development—those not yet ready for implementation but aiming to create or expand retail access to healthy food. These funds are designated specifically for predevelopment and soft-cost activities essential to planning and design. Grants may be used for market research, feasibility studies, architectural design, business planning, legal counsel, and community engagement efforts. Activities such as site planning, financial forecasting, and community assessments are also eligible, alongside other technical services that support the transition from idea to project readiness. Awards will typically range from $5,000 to $40,000, though larger grants may be considered for proposals with demonstrable need. KHFI will allocate a total of $200,000 for this program in 2026, drawing from the larger HFFI Partnerships Program administered through the Reinvestment Fund. Eligibility is broad, encompassing a range of entity types. Applicants may include businesses (such as sole proprietorships, LLCs, cooperatives, or corporations), nonprofit organizations, local and tribal governments, and food policy councils. To be considered, projects must benefit underserved areas of Kansas and involve retail outlets that accept or plan to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Eligible projects include the development or expansion of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, mobile markets, and distribution hubs, among others. Applicants are encouraged to consult a national eligibility map or work directly with KHFI staff to determine whether their location qualifies. However, projects involving charitable food programs, restaurants, food production, construction, or capital expenses are not eligible for funding. In 2026, KHFI will host two grant application rounds. Round One closes on February 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Time. Round Two will close on September 25, 2026, at the same time. All applications must be submitted through KHFI’s online platform. Award notifications will be issued approximately six weeks after each round deadline. Office hours via Zoom will be available for applicants to ask questions and discuss project ideas during open periods. Attendance is not mandatory but encouraged, with scheduled office hour sessions in January, February, August, and September, depending on the round. Application evaluation will be conducted by KHFI staff and finalized by the KHFI Investment Committee. Review criteria include demonstrated need, readiness, operator experience, and alignment with community food access goals. Applicants are asked to respond to questions about their organization, project design, target community, partnerships, and intended use of funds. A detailed budget and project timeline must also be submitted. Selected recipients will be required to sign a grant agreement and submit documentation, including a final budget, W-9, and ACH information. KHFI will pay technical assistance providers directly when applicable. Reporting requirements for funded projects may include qualitative updates, feedback on technical assistance providers, retail space development metrics, increases in healthy food sales, and other data relevant to KHFI’s evaluation of program outcomes. Grantees may also be asked to report on job creation, community impact, and future funding leveraged. The program ultimately aims to build project capacity for future implementation and financing, including potential funding through KHFI itself.