Top 20 Grant Funders for Hunger Relief: Key Funding Sources for Food Banks and Food Insecurity Programs

In 2024, food insecurity remains a critical issue in both Canada and the United States, with the demand for food bank services reaching unprecedented levels. In the U.S., over 34 million people, including 9 million children, face food insecurity, while in Canada, recent reports show that nearly 6 million people are struggling to afford groceries, a significant rise from previous years. According to Food Banks Canada, the use of food banks surged by 32% in 2024, the highest increase on record, as inflation, housing costs, and economic instability exacerbate the crisis. In the U.S., food banks also report a sharp increase in demand, with many struggling to meet the needs of their communities. With hunger on the rise, nonprofit organizations that focus on hunger relief are seeking more funding than ever to support those in need. Identifying and securing grants from key funders is crucial to addressing this growing crisis.

 

Food banks are facing significant challenges, with demand surging due to rising food insecurity driven by inflation, unemployment, and economic instability. Limited funding, supply chain disruptions, and rising food costs are making it difficult to maintain consistent supplies, while logistical issues like inadequate storage and transportation further strain resources. Many food banks also struggle to provide nutritious options and face volunteer shortages, all while dealing with the stigma around food assistance. To meet growing needs, food banks must secure more funding, improve operations, and expand partnerships.

 

There are several major grant funders in the United States that support initiatives focused on food insecurity, hunger relief, and food banks. Here are some of the top organizations known for funding nonprofits working in these areas:

 

1.   Feeding America  

       Overview:   Feeding America is the largest hunger relief organization in the U.S., partnering with a vast network of food banks and pantries. They offer grants and resources to organizations working to combat food insecurity.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, food banks, food distribution, and addressing root causes of hunger.

       Programs:   Includes the “Food Security Grants” program and special initiatives for disaster relief and innovation in hunger alleviation.

 

2.   Walmart Foundation  

       Overview:   Walmart Foundation is one of the largest corporate funders addressing hunger. They provide substantial grants to organizations tackling food insecurity through community based programs.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, healthy food access, food recovery, and infrastructure support for food banks.

       Programs:   Walmart “Community Grant Program” and “Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating” initiative.

 

3.   The Kroger Co. Foundation  

       Overview:   Kroger focuses on ending hunger in the communities where they operate through their “Zero Hunger | Zero Waste” initiative. They fund projects that aim to eliminate food waste and address food insecurity.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, reducing food waste, food rescue programs, and supporting food banks.

       Programs:   Offers competitive grants and often partners with Feeding America and local food banks.

 

4.   The David Tepper Charitable Foundation  

       Overview:   David Tepper’s foundation focuses heavily on alleviating hunger and supporting food banks, especially in North Carolina and other regions where the foundation operates.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, food distribution, child nutrition, and supporting food security programs.

       Programs:   Provides grants to food banks and hunger relief organizations, including disaster response.

 

5.   Albertsons Companies Foundation  

       Overview:   Albertsons supports hunger relief through its “Nourishing Neighbors” initiative, providing grants to local organizations that ensure people in need have access to healthy meals.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, food pantries, child nutrition, and emergency food distribution.

       Programs:   Nourishing Neighbors community grants aimed at reducing food insecurity in communities served by Albertsons and its affiliates.

 

6.   The Campbell Soup Foundation  

       Overview:   The Campbell Soup Foundation funds hunger and nutrition programs as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, especially in the communities where Campbell operates.

       Funding Focus:   Food security, healthy meals, community wellness, and child hunger.

       Programs:   Grants supporting food banks, soup kitchens, and community hunger relief programs.

 

7.   ConAgra Brands Foundation  

       Overview:   ConAgra focuses on improving food security and nutrition, particularly in underserved communities. Their grants support nonprofit organizations that work on reducing hunger.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, child nutrition, food banks, and community gardens.

       Programs:   Provides grants and partners with food banks through their “Hunger Free Summer” and other year round programs.

 

8.   The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation  

       Overview:   The Weinberg Foundation provides significant funding for food security programs across the U.S., with an emphasis on vulnerable populations.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, food access, and social services for low income individuals and families.

       Programs:   Grants for food banks, meal distribution programs, and support for seniors and children.

 

9.   Cargill Foundation  

       Overview:   Cargill supports hunger and food security initiatives around the world. In the U.S., they fund organizations that aim to ensure food security and nutritional health for underserved communities.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, nutrition, food recovery, and agriculture sustainability.

       Programs:   Grants supporting food banks, meal programs, and food waste reduction initiatives.

 

10.   Bank of America Charitable Foundation  

       Overview:   Bank of America funds hunger relief programs through its “Economic Mobility” initiative, which aims to remove barriers to basic needs, including access to food.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, economic mobility, community food programs, and food banks.

       Programs:   Provides local and national grants to food banks and hunger relief organizations.

 

11.   The W.K. Kellogg Foundation  

       Overview:   W.K. Kellogg Foundation is committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children and families, with a strong emphasis on health and well being, including food security.

       Funding Focus:   Child nutrition, food insecurity, health equity, and food systems reform.

       Programs:   Supports nonprofits through grants focused on creating sustainable food systems and improving access to nutritious food in underserved communities.

 

12.   No Kid Hungry (Share Our Strength)  

       Overview:   No Kid Hungry, a campaign run by Share Our Strength, focuses on ending child hunger in America by providing grants to support school breakfast programs, summer meals, and food distribution.

       Funding Focus:   Child hunger, school meal programs, community meals, and food access for children.

       Programs:   No Kid Hungry grants help schools, food banks, and community organizations improve access to nutritious meals for children.

 

13.   The Annie E. Casey Foundation  

       Overview:   This foundation works to improve the well being of children in the U.S., often supporting initiatives related to poverty, food security, and family stability.

       Funding Focus:   Child hunger, food insecurity, economic mobility, and access to nutritious food.

       Programs:   Provides funding to hunger relief programs that target vulnerable children and families across the U.S.

 

14.   The Rockefeller Foundation  

       Overview:   The Rockefeller Foundation is known for its innovative approach to solving global challenges, including hunger. They focus on food systems transformation to ensure that healthy, affordable food is accessible to all.

       Funding Focus:   Food security, sustainable agriculture, and equitable food systems.

       Programs:   Supports food system transformation projects, sustainable farming, and hunger relief initiatives both in the U.S. and internationally.

 

15.   The Kresge Foundation  

       Overview:   The Kresge Foundation focuses on expanding opportunities for low income families and communities, often funding food security initiatives.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, urban farming, food systems, and health equity.

       Programs:   Provides grants to nonprofits that focus on innovative solutions to hunger, including urban agriculture and food access programs.

 

16.   The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation  

       Overview:   While the Gates Foundation is best known for its global work, it also supports food security initiatives in the U.S., particularly those tied to broader poverty alleviation and health equity goals.

       Funding Focus:   Food insecurity, sustainable food systems, and agriculture.

       Programs:   Provides grants that support hunger relief and food access initiatives within the context of broader poverty alleviation efforts.

 

17.   The Starbucks Foundation  

       Overview:   The Starbucks Foundation partners with nonprofit organizations to support hunger relief efforts, with a special focus on youth, education, and community building.

       Funding Focus:   Food insecurity, community food programs, and youth hunger.

       Programs:   Provides grants to food banks, community meal programs, and youth focused hunger relief initiatives.

 

18.   The PepsiCo Foundation  

       Overview:   PepsiCo Foundation focuses on alleviating hunger and improving access to nutritious food through partnerships with nonprofits that address food insecurity and disaster relief.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, food access, and nutrition education.

       Programs:   Provides funding for hunger relief, especially in communities where PepsiCo operates, and supports food banks and food distribution programs.

 

19.   The Safeway Foundation  

       Overview:   The Safeway Foundation provides funding for hunger relief programs in local communities, particularly where Safeway stores operate.

       Funding Focus:   Hunger relief, food banks, and community food programs.

       Programs:   Supports food pantries, meal programs, and emergency food distribution through grants to local nonprofits.

 

20.   The AARP Foundation  

       Overview:   AARP Foundation focuses on fighting senior hunger as part of its broader mission to support low income older adults.

       Funding Focus:   Senior hunger, food security, nutrition, and community meals.

       Programs:   Provides grants for organizations addressing hunger among older adults, including food banks and meal delivery services for seniors.

 

GRANTS FOR CANADIAN FOOD BANKS

 

Here are 10 grant funders that provide grants to food banks and hunger relief organizations in Canada:

 

1.   Food Banks Canada  

       Overview:   Food Banks Canada offers various grants and resources to food banks across the country. Their funding helps food banks improve their infrastructure, increase capacity, and enhance food distribution to those in need.

       Programs:   National Food Sharing System, Capacity Building Grants.

 

2.   The Walmart Foundation (Canada)  

       Overview:   Walmart Foundation provides grants to support hunger relief initiatives across Canada, focusing on access to nutritious food and hunger alleviation.

       Programs:   Supports food banks and community programs through the Walmart Community Grants Program and Disaster Relief grants.

 

3.   The McConnell Foundation  

       Overview:   The McConnell Foundation supports organizations that focus on food security and community resilience, providing grants for programs that address systemic hunger and food access.

       Programs:   Focus on innovative approaches to solving food insecurity in Canada.

 

4.   The Grocery Foundation  

       Overview:   This foundation partners with food industry stakeholders to provide funding to organizations addressing childhood hunger and community food programs, including food banks.

       Programs:   The “Toonies for Tummies” program supports school meal programs and food access initiatives.

 

5.   The Loblaws Foundation  

       Overview:   Loblaws Foundation focuses on supporting organizations that work to address food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food.

       Programs:   Provides grants to food banks and other nonprofits that work to alleviate hunger in communities across Canada.

 

6.   The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation  

       Overview:   TELUS provides funding to community organizations, including food banks, that support food security and address hunger, particularly among vulnerable populations like children and seniors.

       Programs:   Community Board Grants that support local food security initiatives.

 

7.   The Canadian Women’s Foundation  

       Overview:   The Canadian Women’s Foundation supports food security initiatives that assist women and their families, focusing on marginalized and low income populations.

       Programs:   Grants aimed at improving access to food and supporting hunger relief programs for women and children.

 

8.   The RBC Foundation  

       Overview:   RBC Foundation provides grants to organizations working to reduce food insecurity and improve access to nutritious meals across Canada.

       Programs:   Focuses on addressing food access for vulnerable populations and community based food programs.

 

9.   Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC)  

       Overview:   CFCC provides funding and support to food banks and food access programs through their Good Food Organization grants. They focus on improving access to healthy food and building strong food systems.

       Programs:   Grants for community food programs and infrastructure.

 

10.   The Ontario Trillium Foundation  

       Overview:   The Ontario Trillium Foundation provides grants to food banks and other community organizations in Ontario working to alleviate hunger and improve access to food.

       Programs:   Community Building Fund and Resilient Communities Fund for food security initiatives.

 

These grant funders play a key role in supporting food banks and hunger relief organizations across Canada, helping to ensure that those facing food insecurity have access to nutritious meals and resources.

 

As food insecurity continues to rise across North America, food banks play a critical role in supporting vulnerable individuals and families. By understanding the challenges they face and tapping into available funding from key grantmakers, these organizations can strengthen their operations, expand their reach, and ensure that no one goes hungry. Securing grants from the funders mentioned in this article can provide food banks with the resources they need to meet the increasing demand and make a lasting impact on their communities. Now more than ever, it’s vital for nonprofits to leverage these opportunities to fight hunger and support those in need.

 

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