2024 Nourishing Neighbors Innovation Spark Grant RFP

Request for Proposals: 2024 Innovation Spark Grant RFP

 A Call for Innovative and Creative Solutions to End Hunger in Our Communities

Background

Nourishing Neighbors, a program of Albertsons Companies Foundation, is committed to ensuring access to nourishing food for all members of our communities, including children, seniors, and families. We have a long history of fighting hunger and supporting food security initiatives across the country.

However, we also recognize that hunger is a complex and multifaceted problem that cannot be solved by food distribution alone. There are many factors that contribute to food insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, health, education, transportation etc. These factors create a cycle of hunger that traps people in a state of dependency and vulnerability. To break this cycle, 
we need innovative and creative solutions that address the root causes of hunger and empower people to achieve food security and self-sufficiency.

Purpose

The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from organizations that are developing or implementing innovative and creative solutions that are locally tailored to a specific geographic area to eliminate the cycle of hunger in our communities. We are looking for projects that go beyond food distribution and provide long-term solutions that move people out of the cycle of hunger. We are especially interested in projects that are in early-stage investing, meaning that they are new, untested, or have not yet received significant funding from other sources.

Funding Details

• Funding Cycle: Multi-year grant (up to 4 years)
• Funding Amount: Total amount up to $3 million (allocation by year to be determined by 
organization)
• Grant Period: Starting August 2024

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to organizations with an annual operating budget of at least $1 million
• Organizations may either have or be willing to form a panel of advisors of people with lived experience with hunger (minimum 3 advisors)
• Organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or have a fiscal sponsor that meets this requirement.
• Organizations must operate in the United States and serve communities where Albertsons Companies stores are located (see attached list of stores)

Selection Criteria

We will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:
• Innovation – the project starts with a new idea, addresses a need, and creates value.
• Impact – the project has clear measurable indicators and outcomes that demonstrate how it will end the cycle of hunger for   people in a specific geographic area.
• Feasibility – the project is attainable, realistic, and sustainable with the available resources and timeline.
• Relevance – the project supports evident needs and aligns with the mission and vision of Albertsons Companies Foundation
• Collaboration – the project involves partnership or coordination with other organizations, stakeholders, or community members.

Application Process

To respect your busy schedule, we have decided to start with a short preliminary application. 

Applications will be considered, and a short list of applicants will be requested to provide an additional in-depth application. The application process consists of the following steps:

1. Submit the preliminary application online by April 12, 2024 (11:59 PST) using this link: https://albertsonscompaniesfoundation.versaic.com/login and Invitation Code –Innovation2024
2. Receive notification of short-list status and regrets by May 17, 2024.
3. If short-listed, schedule and complete a virtual meeting and an in-depth application by June 14, 2024
4. Receive notification of funding decision by July 2024
5. Receive funding and start grant period in August 2024

Application Questions

The preliminary application consists of the following questions:

• Give us an overview of the food insecurity in your area that you are proposing to address.
• What are the challenges and complications that you are facing in addressing food insecurity?
• What is the solution that you are proposing?
• How is the project innovative or creative locally tailored solutions?
• What are the outcomes of the project?
• How many people will this project impact? *We understand that it might be challenging to come up with a number, but if you could provide a rough estimate, it would be helpful.
• What is the Social Vulnerability Index in the area you are proposing to address?
• What percentage of people are food insecure in the area you are proposing to address?
• Please select all stores in the area in which this project will impact.

Question Sessions

We want to provide you with an opportunity to ask questions. We will have 2 question/answer virtual information sessions where you can feel comfortable to ask questions about the grant. You can also send questions to Anjana.bhattarai@albertsons.com ahead of the meeting. We will collect all questions/answers and post them on NourishingNeighbors.com by April 5, 
2024.

• Session #1: March 27, 2024 at 10am PT use this link to join
• Session #2: March 28, 2024 at 1pm PT use this link to join

Reporting Requirements

If funded, you will be required to participate in quarterly calls and submit a written year-end report. The reporting requirements are as follows:
• Quarterly calls – 1 hr in length. Every other call will be with your cohort of awardees.
• April – Cohort Call
• July – Individual Call
• October – Cohort Call
• January – Individual Call
• Year-end report – due in July of each year (and discussed on your July individual call). 

The report will include questions such as:
• Please give us an update on how it’s going against your measurable goals.
• What challenges are you facing – is there any way we can help?
• What have been your successes?
• Are there any stories you can share with us that we can share internally and externally celebrating your success?

FAQ

Q: I have questions, who do I contact?

A: We want to make sure everyone has a chance to ask questions. We are holding 2 informational sessions where all applicants can join and ask questions. You can also send in questions to be answered at those sessions toAnjana.Bhattarai@albertsons.com.  In the event that your schedule does not allow you to make either time, you can always send an email as described above and all questions and answers will be published.

• Session #1: March 27, 2024 at 10am PT use this link to join
• Session #2: March 28, 2024 at 1pm PT use this link to join

Q: How do I apply?

A: Please use this link: https://albertsonscompaniesfoundation.versaic.com/login and Invitation Code – Innovation2024

Q: Is there an invitation code?

A: Yes, please use Innovation2024 (it’s the same for everyone)

Q: When is it due?

A: The preliminary application is due on April 12, 2024 at 11:59pm PT

Q: You say this is a “preliminary application”, what does that mean?

A: We know you are busy, and we are very careful to allow you to use your time in best service to the organization. We have decided to have a very short preliminary application. We will review those applications and invite only a small number of organizations to a more in-depth application process.

Q: In the application you ask me to “Please select all stores in the area in which this project will impact”. How do I know what stores to select?

A: Please select stores in the area where you will be working. The best way to think about this is: does the population I’m working with have an option to shop at this store? If so, please select that store.

Q: How will funds be distributed over the 4 years?

A: The total grants will be $3 million over a 4-year period. We leave it up to the organization to determine the right allocation of funds over that time.

Q: How do I know if my project will qualify?

A: Is your project in any of the categories above that we mention will not qualify? If not, we encourage you to apply. This application is intentionally short to allow us to sift through and determine which applications do truly qualify and warrant a more in-depth application process.

Q: Our organization doesn’t currently have a panel of people with lived experience. Can some of the grant funds help pay for us to form one?

A: Yes, we are happy to help support a panel.

Q: I have more questions, can I set up a time to talk to you?

A: Unfortunately, there are many, many of you and only two of us. We have set up the listening sessions (see above) to provide time to talk to us and an opportunity to send your questions via email. Thank you very much for understanding.