Food Access Grant Program

Mardag Foundation provides grants in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota to fund systems change and/or direct service work related to food access. GRANT GUIDELINES View this program’s funding priorities, eligibility, types of grants and how to apply. Program Overview Mardag Foundation’s Food Access Grant Program supports organizations and programs that ensure access to food and address inequities in the food system. Through five-year grants of $100,000 per year, we aim to fund systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to food for low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota. This grant program is closed. It accepted letters of inquiry from 10 a.m. January 12 to 1 p.m. February 24, 2026. Funding Priorities Our Food Access Grant Program will consider proposals that address systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to culturally relevant, healthy, affordable food for low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota. Our Food Access Grant Program will consider proposals that address one or more of the following: Extent to which the work empowers immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous communities in reclaiming ownership and control of the food system ‒ the right to grow, sell, access and eat food that is fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate and grown with integrity for the well-being of the people, land and animals Extent to which the work strives to provide culturally relevant food options in areas with lower access Grants Team Before applying, all interested applicants are encouraged to contact a member of our Grants Team to ensure that the grant program fits your needs. Meet the Team Eligibility Demonstrated commitment to the geography served with preference for organizations based in Minnesota 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor Download Grant Guidelines [PDF] Geography Mardag Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public entities located within and serving residents of Minnesota. Our geographic focus is the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties), as well as Greater Minnesota. Types of Grants Grants will be offered for general operating or program/project support. Grant Details Grant amounts will be $100,000 per year for a five-year grant period In 2026, up to $750,000 is available, and we anticipate awarding approximately seven multi-year grants (including 5 grantees from Greater Minnesota) Grant Requests Not Accepted Mardag Foundation will not consider grant requests for support of organizations exclusively serving Minneapolis and the surrounding West Metro area or proposals to replace a loss in government funding. Current & Past Grant Status Current grantees are eligible for funding. Please contact a member of our Grants Team with questions. Application Materials Grant Guidelines [PDF] Letter of Inquiry Preview [PDF] Letter of Inquiry Scoring Rubric [PDF] Application Preview [PDF] Application Scoring Rubric [PDF] Grant Application Resources Grant resources include instructions on how to register for and use GranteeView, our grant application portal. See Grant Resources Decision-making Timeline January – February Letters of Inquiry Accepted January 12 to 1 p.m. February 24 May Invitation to Apply for Select Organizations Summer Site Visits Fall Decisions November Grants Awarded Communications on Letter of Inquiry decisions to go out on May 1. How to Apply Step 1: Review Grant Guidelines Familiarize yourself with the eligibility criteria and funding priorities for this grant program. Step 2: Talk to the Grants Team All interested applicants are encouraged to contact a member of our Grants Team before applying to ensure that the grant program fits your needs. Our Grants Team is always excited to connect with community partners. Contact Our Grants Team Step 3: Review Application Materials Review required application materials and instructions on how to apply. Note: Applications for our Food Access Grant Program begin with a letter of inquiry and initial screening. View Grant Application Resources Letters of inquiry were accepted from 10 a.m. January 12 to 1 p.m. February 24, 2026. Step 4: Register and Apply This grant program requires applicants to register for GranteeView to apply for a grant. Registration is open now. Note: Only select organizations will be invited to submit a full application. Go to GranteeView Step 5: Stay Connected Whether or not your organization is selected for a grant opportunity, we want to stay connected. Join Our Email List