Food Resources Grant Application

PHF FOOD RESOURCE GRANT

Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to sufficient, nutritious food for an active, healthy life. In the wake of COVID-19, communities in our region are struggling to afford food and other basic needs, widening existing disparities that will result in long-term health consequences.

Statistics show within our 5-county region, over 80,000 people are food insecure including more than 23,000 children. This grant opportunity is available to:

• Funding requests for projects or programs that increase capacity and provide healthy food opportunities to families and individuals in need

  • Special consideration will be given to organizations seeking to create new food sources in unserved and rural areas

ELIGIBILITY

Grants provided through the Pisgah Health Foundation are available to qualified organizations with the capability and vision of making an impact on the health and well-being of the community.

Grantee warrants that the Grantee is (a) a tax-exempt organization that is organized and operated for charitable purposes and recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt public charities under Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or is a governmental unit described in Section 170 of the Code, and b) that receipt of this grant will not adversely affect Grantee’s current status under the code. Public educational institutions without an IRS determination letter may also be eligible to receive grants.

The Organization must furnish to the Foundation any information concerning a change or proposed change in classification under the IRS Code. Should such change in status occur, the Foundation reserves the right to withhold future payments and or have unexpended grant funds returned to the Foundation.

The Pisgah Health Foundation Does Not Fund
Grants are not awarded to endowments or capital campaigns, political causes or candidates, advertising, debt retirement, individuals, or activities/projects completed before funding becomes available. Grant funds may not be used to promote or engage in criminal acts of violence, terrorism, hate crimes, the destruction of any state, or discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, military and veteran status, disability, sex, age, gender identity or sexual orientation, or support of any entity that engages in these activities.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The grant application must be complete before any discussions or decisions will take place.

In addition to the grant application, please provide the following:

• Previous year federal tax return (990 or other applicable forms)

• Current year Organizational Operating Budget

• Budget, with narrative, for proposed Program or Project

• Verification of Tax-Exempt Status

• List of current Board of Directors

• Letter of Agreement (from the landowner if pursuing a community garden)

Completed applications will be reviewed within 45 days of receipt of the application. If approved, a grant contract will be provided and signed by the Organization and returned to the office of the Pisgah Health Foundation.

SELECTION AND AWARDING PROCESS

An invitation to submit a full proposal does not guarantee that the request will be fulfilled. There is no implied or explicit representation that there will be any funding.

All proposals are reviewed by the Foundation staff.  After considering how strongly a proposal fits our mission and aligns with our goals of creating a healthier community, staff may contact applicants with questions and request more information. Completed applications will be presented to the Grant Review Team.

Proposals are assessed based on:

• Alignment with the Foundation’s funding goals and objectives

• Organization’s capacity to carry out the expected activities

• How effectively the proposed project/activity can address an expressed health and well-being need in the community

• The likelihood of achieving measurable, positive impact; and

• Description regarding how the organization will measure its success in achieving its goals

• The sustainability plan for the program/project beyond immediate funding

Once a decision is made by the PHF Grant Review Team, and approved by the PHF Board of Directors, all applicants will be notified by phone and/or by email. All funding decisions are final.

FUNDING PROCESS

Once a grant application has been approved, disbursement of funds will be made based on a milestones scale discussed and agreed upon with the organization receiving the funds and the Foundation. The milestones will serve as a guide and timetable toward the successful completion of the approved grant.

Expenditures made by the Organization from this grant must be used only within the terms and conditions agreed upon. Any funds not used or committed for the specified purpose of the grant or not used or committed within any time limit specified in the request for the grant must be returned to the Foundation.

Required Agreements and Reports, During Grant Cycle

The organizations selected to receive a grant from the Pisgah Health Foundation must agree to complete the following, on the most recent grant:

• Grant Acceptance Contract

• Performance Milestones – A milestones checklist is a tool used by PHF to show how progress is being made toward the goals set by the Organization and discussed with the Foundation. Funds will be provided based on the movement of the milestones.

• Progress Report - Outcome-based reports are required from the grantee on a schedule agreed upon by the grantee and PHF. The reports are meant to be simple and should include the amount of the grant expended, the numbers served, and other simple figures to give a snapshot of how the program is progressing. Photos are always appreciated. An optional report template will be provided.

• Final Impact Report - The Final Impact Report, required from the grantee, provides a record of grantee successes, challenges, and monies spent. A Final Impact Report template will be provided to the grant recipient. The Report should also include a minimum of 2 testimonials and/or success stories.

Please direct grant questions to Grant Operations Coordinator Cathy Wood, 828.435.3775,  c.wood@pisgahhealthfoundation.org