Ohio Food and Nutrition Grants

The Event Waste Reduction Grant (EWRG), offered by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), aims to significantly reduce event-generated waste and increase material diversion from the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill. This initiative directly aligns with SWACO's mission to promote sustainable waste management practices within its jurisdiction. The grant provides reimbursement funding for activities that enhance waste reduction, reuse, recycling, food scrap composting, and food donation at public events. It also supports outreach and education to raise public awareness about these critical activities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are local event organizers in Franklin County, Ohio, who host public events with a projected attendance of 2,000 people or more. The impact goals are to not only reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills but also to build the necessary infrastructure to sustain these diversion efforts beyond the initial grant funding year. By supporting a wide range of waste reduction and diversion activities, SWACO seeks to foster a more environmentally responsible community and encourage long-term sustainable practices for event management. The EWRG prioritizes funding for activities that establish, improve, or expand waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, or food donation at eligible events. Events must occur in Franklin County, Ohio, during 2024, and be open to the public. Funding tiers are based on projected attendance: up to $2,000 for events with 2,000 to 10,000 attendees, up to $4,000 for events with 10,000 to 30,000 attendees, and up to $6,000 for events with 30,000 to 60,000 attendees or greater. Recipients are required to provide a 20% cash contribution toward the project, emphasizing a shared commitment to the environmental goals. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in waste diversion rates at events, a reduction in the volume of waste sent to the landfill, and enhanced public awareness regarding waste reduction and recycling. The grant's focus on building sustainable infrastructure ensures that the positive impacts extend beyond the grant period, fostering lasting changes in event waste management. SWACO's strategic priorities are clearly centered on promoting a circular economy, and the EWRG serves as a practical application of this theory of change by directly investing in and incentivizing tangible waste reduction efforts at the community level.

This grant provides financial support for Cuyahoga County-based artists to fund public projects, events, or specific needs related to their creative practices.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is currently accepting applications for its Safety Net Grant Program. This program is directly aligned with the foundation's mission to ensure that all individuals in the Greater Cincinnati region have access to essential resources such as food and shelter, while also increasing access to well-integrated, trauma-informed mental and behavioral health services. This initiative reflects GCF's strategic priority to address fundamental community needs and support the well-being of its residents through a comprehensive approach to health and stability. The target beneficiaries of the Safety Net Grant Program are the residents across the Greater Cincinnati region, encompassing specific counties in Indiana (Dearborn), Kentucky (Boone, Kenton, Campbell), and Ohio (Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont). The program aims to achieve significant impact by supporting or expanding existing programs, enacting capital improvements, launching new initiatives, or building organizational capacity within these communities. The overarching goal is to strengthen the safety net for vulnerable populations, thereby improving their access to critical support systems. For the 2024 Safety Net cycle, GCF has approximately $800,000 available, with individual grants awarded for up to $50,000. Preference will be given to organizations that develop solutions with a racial equity lens, demonstrating GCF's commitment to equitable outcomes. Proposals with clear and measurable outcomes are highly favored, as are organizations that have demonstrated partnerships, collaboration, and alignment with community-wide efforts. GCF also prioritizes organizations that have shown insights from past results and utilize an asset-based approach to their work, indicating a theory of change that values evidence-based practices and community-led solutions. The expected outcomes of the Safety Net Grant Program include increased access to food, shelter, and high-quality mental and behavioral health services for individuals in the region. Organizations applying must be tax-exempt (501(c)(3) status) or a government agency, or utilize a fiscal agent. While the grant duration is not specified, the funding is intended to support sustainable efforts. Funding will not be awarded for campaigns or special events, emphasizing GCF's focus on direct program support and capacity building to achieve lasting positive change within the community.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit and public sector programs in specific Ohio counties that promote successful children, healthy families, self-sufficient residents, and strong communities.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) offers the Environmental Sustainability Grant Program to support and enhance the environmental sustainability of the Greater Cincinnati region. This aligns with GCF's mission to increase accessibility and quality of greenspaces, conservation, horticulture, and nature education, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity for historically marginalized groups. The program aims to address environmental disparities and promote equitable access to nature's benefits. The primary beneficiaries of this program are organizations whose efforts are based in the Greater Cincinnati region, specifically within the counties of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, and Campbell in Kentucky; and Dearborn in Indiana. The program targets historically marginalized groups by prioritizing requests that connect them to the benefits of nature, including fresh food access and nature education, particularly for children and youth. The overarching impact goal is to foster a more environmentally sustainable and equitable region. The program prioritizes proposals that develop solutions with a racial equity lens, recognizing that environmental issues often disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Key focus areas include beautifying, creating, conserving, and restoring greenspaces, with a preference for those benefiting historically marginalized groups. Additionally, the program seeks to connect these groups to nature's benefits through various initiatives, such as increased fresh food access and nature education programming. Collaboration between well-aligned organizations is highly favored, as is an asset-based approach to the work. Expected outcomes include expanded or strengthened existing programs, successful capital improvements, the launch of new initiatives, and enhanced organizational capacity among grantee organizations. Proposals are expected to articulate clear and measurable outcomes, demonstrating how their efforts will contribute to the program's goals. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the general intent to increase accessibility and quality of greenspaces and nature education, the emphasis on "clear and measurable outcomes" suggests a commitment to tracking the tangible impact of funded projects. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its preference for organizations demonstrating partnerships, community alignment, insights from past results, and an asset-based approach, all contributing to a theory of change that values collaborative, data-informed, and community-centric environmental solutions with a strong equity focus.

This fellowship provides financial support and recognition to individuals in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia who are dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional food practices and culinary heritage in the Appalachian region.

The Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program, initially established by House Bill 110 of the 134th Ohio General Assembly and further funded by House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, is designed to support Ohio livestock and poultry producers. This program offers grants up to $500,000 to assist in the improvement and expansion of meat harvesting/processing services. These grants aim to enhance processing efficiency and support the expansion or construction of facilities on existing sites. Administered by the Ohio Department of Development, eligible businesses must be for-profit entities operating a Federal or State registered meat harvesting/processing facility in Ohio as of July 1, 2023. Funding can cover a range of costs associated with plant construction/expansion and the purchase of new/upgraded machinery or technology, excluding personnel costs, land purchases, and non-eligible expenses. A total of $14 million in funds is available for Fiscal Year 2024, with grants covering no more than 65% of project costs, requiring matching funds for the remainder. Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity supports community programs that improve public health outcomes, particularly for underserved populations, through measurable initiatives aligned with the United Way of Portage County's mission.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Trumbull County, Ohio, focused on improving health equity and addressing community health challenges, particularly in mental health, substance abuse, and access to care.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Western Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties, Ohio, that support marginalized communities through services like hunger prevention, housing assistance, and addiction recovery.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Summit County, Ohio, that provide programs focused on economic empowerment, safety from violence, and health and wellness for women and girls.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Shelby County, Ohio, to support innovative projects that address community needs and benefit local residents.

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Dayton Region of Ohio for initiatives in the arts, community enrichment, education, and health and human services.

This program provides funding to small, community-based organizations in Cincinnati to address local challenges such as homelessness, food security, and youth development through impactful initiatives and collaborative efforts.

This grant provides funding to schools and child nutrition program sponsors in Ohio to implement farm-to-school initiatives that promote local food sourcing and agricultural education for children.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that implement projects benefiting the Worthington community, focusing on essential services, mental health, and community improvement.

This funding opportunity provides up to $15,000 to local organizations in Delaware County for projects that improve access to healthy food and promote physical activity to reduce chronic diseases.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to designated Ohio communities for projects that celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States through storytelling and educational initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to existing community health projects in Ohio to implement strategies that improve access to healthy food and promote active living, particularly in areas facing significant health disparities.