M25 Initiative Food Insecurity Funding:
​Request for Proposals- Phase 2

Total Amount Allocated: $30,000
Online Application Due: 5/29/2020 at 5 PM (EST)
Announcement of Awards: 6/19/2020
Award Disbursement: Week of 6/22/2020

Purpose:
The Food Insecurity Grants (Phase 2) are designed to assist non-profits and faith-based communities in addressing food insecurity issues related to the health and financial impact of the Coronavirus in Cumberland County, NJ. The funding is intended to be utilized from July 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 in providing direct assistance to at-risk and food insecure residents of Cumberland County.
 
Granting Priorities
Grant requests submitted to the Initiative are viewed in light of our primary objectives as found in Matthew 25:35-36- “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
 
Accordingly, the Initiative has outlined the following priorities by which grant decisions will be made:
 

1. We seek to equip and empower local organizations and faith-based entities to provide safety net services to the poor and homeless.
2. We seek to foster support for the Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition and/or Housing First Collaborative. Applications should demonstrate how the organization has supported the Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition and/or Housing First Collaborative. Priority will be given to churches and non-profit organizations who have directly participated in the Code Blue (2019-2020 season) and/or the Housing First program (e.g. Move-In Sponsor, Collaborative Partner).
3. We desire to support dynamic projects that show faith in action. Therefore, we typically do not fund individuals who are serving in administrative roles, or projects for debt relief, land or building purchases. Priority will be given to proposals that have an administrative fee of 5% or less.
4. The M25 Initiative developed from the Cumberland County Code Blue Program that demonstrated tremendous success in working with other churches & non-profits in meeting the needs of the community. Therefore, we will give priority to projects that meet community needs through community partnerships. Proposals should identify partner agencies with supporting documentation (e.g. letter of intent to partner).
5. Organizations must be willing to invest financially in a project for the M25 Initiative to consider funding that project. We do not consider in-kind contributions alone as local faith-based/non-profit organization financial support.

 
Maximum Grant Amount and Types:

• Daily Feeding Program Funding- Maximum of $3000 (For programs that provide at least one meal to the general public for at least 5 days a week throughout the month)
• Weekly Feeding Program Funding- Maximum of $750 (For Programs that provide a meal to the general public for one day a week throughout the month)
• Food Pantry Major Program Funding- Maximum of $3000 (For programs that provide weekly [at least once per week] food pantry services to the general public throughout the month)
• Food Pantry Program Funding- Maximum of $750 (For programs that provide at least a once-a-month food pantry program to the general public)
• Food Distribution Program Funding- Maximum of $500 (For programs that provide food delivery services [at-least once per month] for at-risk populations)

The M25 Initiative reserves the right to exceed maximum grant level on a case-by-case basis.
 
How to Apply:
Submit your application at 5/29/2020 at 5:00 PM. Applications will only be accepted electronically through this website. Organizations requesting funding for more than one program must complete an application for each program. The Application includes a proposal, budget for proposal, as well as:

• Organizations must document and submit established protocols in maintaining social distance and other-related health and safety measures for their program.
• Organizations must document and submit plans for client eligibility and screening. This should include the estimated number of clients served and the respective municipalities.
• Organizations must document and submit a communications plan for how the public will be made aware of the proposed program as it relates to this grant funding.
• Organizations must disclose any major contributions (Organizational Donations/Grants exceeding $1000) for the program that was received from April 1, 2020 through the date of application.
• Organizations that received M25 Food Insecurity Funding in Phase 1 must provide a status report on how the funds are being utilized.

  
Eligibility for Funding:
Only Faith-Based Organizations (e.g. Churches) and 501c3 organizations that provide services in Cumberland County, NJ. Preference will be given to churches/nonprofits that have participated with the Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition and/or Housing First Collaborative in 2019-2020.
 
Questions: Please email info@m25initiative.org or call 1-844-M25-HOPE

Click to Apply