Overview
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS CLOSED. PLEASE CHECK BACK ON THIS SITE FOR FUTURE RFP OPPORTUNITIES.
Albertsons Companies Foundation is seeking partnerships with organizations supporting innovative and creative solutions that are locally tailored in a specific geographic area to eliminate the cycle of hunger in our communities.
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 2023
We are seeking to fund projects that go beyond food distribution and provide long-term solutions to move people out of the cycle of hunger.
Preferred applications will:
- Be innovative – starts with a new idea, addresses a need, and creates value
- Have clear measurable indicators
- Be in early-stage investing (focus on new projects)
- Focus on ending the cycle of hunger for people in a specific geographic area
- Be feasible (attainable) and relevant (supporting evident needs)
- Are not focused on food distribution but other means of moving our neighbors out of the food distribution line
- Solve a demonstrated need in a specific geographic area
These types of programs will not qualify:
- Programs focused on food distribution
- Capital projects (buildings, infrastructure, etc.) these can be a part of the application but not the sole purpose of the grant
- Programs focused solely on connections or enhancements to federal programs like SNAP and WIC
- Projects focused on nutrition and education (examples: community gardens and cooking classes)
- Projects that are ongoing or already established
- Projects above the $5 million total budget
- Projects with more than 50% of funds spent on advocacy
Eligibility
Organizational Requirements
- 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)
Geographic Priorities
Priority will be given to projects in areas that have:
- High Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
- High Food Insecurity
- Store density (see attached list of stores)
Recommendations
- Provide a clear picture of the gaps in funding that need to be filled. We often receive applications with beautiful descriptions of the project, but we also want to understand how our funding is needed
- Collaboration between organizations with a lead applying organization is encouraged
- Help us understand the genesis of your innovative idea: Was it from a needs assessment? If so, let us know a quick overview and outcome. If your idea came from someone with lived experience, let us know.
Selection criteria
Application process
Application Methodology
In respect to 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.
Due Date – April 17, 2023 (11:59 PST)
Invitation Code – Innovation2023
Application Link - https://albertsonscompaniesfoundation.versaic.com/login
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 come and 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 onhttp://albertsonscompaniesfoundation.org/2023-innovation-grants/
Session #1: March 22 at 1pm PT use https://bit.ly/3yeQmQP to join
Session #2: March 27at 10am PT use https://bit.ly/3mxp4m4 to join
Questions/Answers will be posted on March 24
Application Questions
- Give us an overview of the food insecurity in your area that you are proposing?
- What are the challenges and complications that you are facing in addressing food insecurity?
- What is the solution that your 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 do 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?
- What percentage of people are food secure in the area you are proposing?
- Please select all stores in the area in which this project will impact.
Timeline
- Preliminary Application Due: 4/17
- Organizations notified of short-list status and regrets: 5/15
- Virtual meetings and in-depth applications scheduled and completed: 6/16
- Funding Provided: July 2023
- Grant Period Starts August 2023
Reporting Requirements
Quarterly calls – 1 hour in length. Every other call will be with your cohort of awardees.
April – Cohort Call
July – Individual Call
October – Cohort Call
January – Individual Call
Additionally, a written year-end report will be due in July of each year (and discussed on your July individual call). We respect your time and pledge to keep the reports simple and accessible. Questions we expect to include are:
- 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?
Frequently asked questions
I have more questions, can I set up a time to talk to you?
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.
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?
Yes, we are happy to help support a panel.
How do I know if my project will qualify?
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.
How will funds be distributed over the 4 years?
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.
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?
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.
You say this is a “preliminary application”, what does that mean?
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.
When is it due?
The preliminary application is due on April 17, 2023 at 11:59pm PT
Is there an invitation code?
Yes, please use Innovation2023 (it’s the same for everyone)
How do I apply?
Please use this link: https://albertsonscompaniesfoundation.versaic.com/login and Invitation Code – Innovation2023
I have questions, who do I contact?
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 to Anjana.Bhattarai@albertsons.com. We will publish all questions and answers on March 24 at http://albertsonscompaniesfoundation.org/2023-innovation-grants/.
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 on March 24.
Session #1: March 20 at 10am PT use https://bit.ly/3mxp4m4 to join
Session #2: March 22 at 1pm PT use https://bit.ly/3yeQmQP to join