2023 Capacity Building Grant
Overview
The Second Harvest Heartland 2023 Capacity Building Grant will support program and operational capacity building projects that increase or improve food access in local communities. For the purposes of this grant, capacity building is defined as growth or expansion to serve more people in the community, make services more accessible, and improve and streamline operations.
Application Eligibility
Applicants must be a Second Harvest Heartland Agency Partner operating in compliance with the terms in the active 2022-2024 Second Harvest Heartland Agency Partnership Agreement.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please contact your Partner Relations Specialist or the Community Partner Grants Specialist prior to starting the application. General inquiries can be directed to grants@2harvest.org.
Funding Use
The goal of this grant is to increase programmatic and organizational capacity in the hunger-relief system. This could look like: expanding physical capacity (e.g., new food distribution site, increasing food storage capacity, building improvements for food delivery or client access); adding or increasing food distribution programs that allow more people to be served; or, startup funding* for personnel or staff that increases organizational and operational capacity.
Second Harvest Heartland capacity building grant funds can be used for the following, but not limited to:
Equipment purchases and installation
Building improvements
Operational expenses associated with starting a new program or service
Personnel-associated expenses for new or expanding programs
See more examples of eligible funding uses in the Request for Proposal document.
Funding range
This is a competitive grant. Total distribution funding for the Second Harvest 2023 Capacity Building Grant is $475,000.
Second Harvest Heartland expects most grant awards to fall between $10,000 and $50,000 However, grant requests are not required to be within this range. Please request the amount that is needed for your project or purpose.
Application Materials
Application Preview (Download Word Doc)
Budget Template (Applicants can opt to use their own budget document)
Application Timeline
Application Opens: Monday, June 12, 2023
Application Closes: Friday, July 21, 2023 11:59 p.m. CT
Application Review Period: July 24 – August 31, 2023
Notification of Award Status: Friday, September 1, 2023
Grant Period: September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024 (12 months)
Application Resources
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
SHH Grant Portal - Create an Account & Troubleshooting
Reporting Requirement: Grantee Final Report due October 11, 2024
Application Support
Grant Informational Webinar & Second Harvest Heartland Grants Portal Overview
2023 Capacity Building Grant Informational Webinar Video Recording
2023 Capacity Building Grant Informational Webinar Slides
Virtual Open Office Hours (Join and leave at any time during open office hours)
Friday, June 16 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT via Zoom
Monday, June 26 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. CT via Zoom
Thursday, July 13 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT via Zoom
Wednesday, July 19 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. CT via Zoom
Applicants can also schedule a 1:1 meeting at any time during the application period with the Community Partner Grants Specialist. Please email grants@2harvest.org to schedule.
Applicants can also reach out with questions or account set up via email to grants@2harvest.org or by email or phone to their Partner Relations Specialist, or Bri O’Brien, Community Partner Grants Specialist, at 651-238-8422.