Food System Resiliency Grant

Food System Resiliency Grant Closing date February 21, 2023, 11:59 PM The Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), through the Community & Behavioral Health Division, is seeking proposals to address citywide food insecurity as part of the City and County of Denver’s COVID recovery efforts. The Food System Resiliency Grant program will support Denver food system resiliency that focuses grant funds on improving infrastructure, operations, and food systems. The goal of the funds is to support food systems infrastructure than enables organizations to more effectively obtain, store, and distribute food that would ensure better preparation for future food system crises. However, funds are not eligible for the direct purchasing or distribution of emergency food. By improving the food system infrastructure, the goal is to reduce overall food insecurity in individuals and households experiencing hunger in the City and County of Denver. The funding for this program is from the City’s

ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) allocation from the U.S. Treasury. Applications will be open beginning on Monday, December 19, 2022 and will close on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Apply Now via BidNet How much funding is available? Up to a total of $2,000,000 of federal ARPA funding is available for the Food Resiliency Grant program. Applicants may request funding ranging from a minimum of $50,000 and up to a maximum funding amount – of $1,000,000 including both direct and indirect costs. Proposals requesting over $500,000 total for the grant term must be approved by City Council. Tentative Schedule (all dates are subject to change): RFP Release Date: Monday, December 19, 2022 Virtual Information Session: Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 1 p.m. Join the session here. Meeting ID: 876 9455 6069 Questions Due in Writing or to BidNet: Monday, January 9, 2023 Q & A Posted Online: Friday, January 13, 2023 Proposals Due: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Award Notification: Anticipated the week of April 3, 2023 Grant terms are expected to begin in spring 2023, subject to change by DDPHE. All funds must be fully expended and spent by December 31, 2026 Additional Information Learn more about the funding, program requirements and priorities, and eligibility. (show below)Program Priorities(show below) Nonprofits operating or providing services within the below list of neighborhoods will be prioritized for funding: Elyria- Swansea Globeville NE Parkhill East Colfax West Colfax Montbello Sun Valley Valverde Villa Park Westwood College View South Lincoln Park Barnum Athmar Park Goldsmith Priority for funds will also be given to nonprofits that provide services to at-risk populations, including under-resourced or historically marginalized groups such as: Communities of color (such as Asian American, Black American, Indigenous, Latino, etc.) Older adults People experiencing poverty or homelessness Immigrants and refugees People living with disabilities Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Veterans (show below)Applicant Eligibility(show below) Nonprofit agencies that are incorporated as a 501(c)3 and registered with the State of Colorado are eligible to apply. This includes those agencies with a fiscal sponsor incorporated as a 501(c)3 and registered in the State of Colorado. Nonprofits must be located in the City and County of Denver or within 1 mile of the city/county border and serve Denver residents with awarded funds. (show below)How can Food System Resiliency Grant funds be used?(show below) NOTE: Funds cannot be used for food. Allowable program costs include but are not limited to: Facility infrastructure upgrades, such as plumbing, electrical, or renovations to improve the efficiency of operations, warehousing, and food storage, loading or packaging equipment, software, and other food equipment or materials. Storage, handling, processing, preparation, packaging, transportation, and distribution of food; supplies; program operating expenses Equipment and capital infrastructure costs Value chain management improvements Transportation or loading improvements such as purchasing or leasing trucks, or other vehicles, or pallet jacks, forklifts, carts, conveyer belts etc. Labor/staffing/personnel; program evaluation; program outreach and community engagement Federal Benefit enrollment assistance and marketing costs Sub-awards or sub-grants (including contracts to hire experts in an area related to the project, including evaluation and quality improvement through surveys, focus groups, etc.) Technical assistance, capacity building, mentorship; professional development and training Operating costs, providing additional staffing support, reasonable transportation costs, and expenses for supplies and materials with appropriate justification.