• Partnership Interest Form

    Partnership Interest Form

  • Thank you for your interest in partnering with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin (SHF). Our partner agencies are essential to the work of achieving our vision that: everyone in our community has enough nutritious food to thrive. SHF works with partners to provide support for the 1 in 9 folks who are facing hunger in southwestern Wisconsin. We currently work with about 300 partners across our 16-county service area.

    Important considerations:

    Second Harvest will utilize this form to determine whether your organization may be eligible for partnership. We seek partners that address unmet needs in accessing food throughout our service area. We are currently prioritizing partners in the following counties: Adams, Crawford, Grant, Juneau and Lafayette.

    In reviewing your submission, we will assess your program in relation to the locations of existing food programs in your area. It may be more effective for you to provide volunteer or financial support to those, rather than starting an independent program.

    For additional questions, contact Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin Partnerships and Community Impact at partnerships@secondharvestsw.org. 

  • FORM INSTRUCTIONS: 

    Please include as much detail as possible when  answering questions on the following pages. This information will be used to determine whether you are eligible to be a partner agency, as well as whether your program aligns with the current plans and strategy of Second Harvest Foodbank. If eligible and aligned, further application materials will be shared with you. 

    Note: If you have multiple food programs you would like to apply for, please fill out a separate form for each.

  • Section 1: Non-profit Status

  • Organizations interested in Partnership must meet the following minimum criteria:

    1. Have and maintain 501c3 status with the Internal Revenue Service or meet the criteria of a religious organization as defined by the IRS and "donated property must be used solely for the care of the ill, the needy, or infants, and in a manner related to the donee's exempt purpose. IRC 170(e)(3)". Evidence of status must be provided to SHFB. The Agency cannot be a private foundation or a municipality. 501c3 is not the same as state sales tax exemption. Mosques, synagogues, churches and other religious organizations generally meet this qualification as a religious organization. If you have questions about your tax-exempt status contact the IRS Tax Exempt and Government Entities Customer Account Services at 877.829.5500.

    2. Will have an active Board of Directors and will strive to abide by the standards for governance stated in Principles and Practices for NonProfit Excellence from the WI Council of Non-Profits.
  • Is the site address (where you will be distributing food) the same as the mailing address of the organization?*
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • What type of tax-exempt status does your organization have?*
  • Does your food program have a current and active Board of Directors or advisory council?*

  • Section 2: Food Program Details and Capacity

  • Organizations interested in Partnership must meet the following minimum criteria:

    1. Will not use food programs to foster or advance religious or political views by expecting guests to participate in political or religious events or activities in order to receive food.

    2. Will provide specific and continuous food programming to the community in the form of meals or groceries to guests. In general, continuous programming means actively serving food 9-12 months of the year with exception for summer produce distributions. Meal programs should provide services at least once per week. Food Pantries should provide service at least once per month. Preference will be given to programs with service hours that best accommodate guest schedules such as more frequent weekly hours, and/or hosting evening or weekend hours. Preference will also be given to programs that have been in operation for 6 months or more.
  • Food Program Type (only choose one):*
  • Do you have enough staff/volunteers to run your food program?*

  • Section 3: Compliance

  • Organizations interested in Partnership must meet the following minimum criteria:

    1. In the interest of keeping guests healthy and safe, agencies must maintain adequate cold and dry storage space to ensure the integrity of the food/product until it is used and/or distributed. Food storage and service cannot be located in a staff/volunteer’s personal residence. No SHFB product can be stored off-site, or distributed to unapproved programs or sites. Unapproved programs/sites include: outside of the approved indoor storage area, non-partner agencies, personal residences, common areas of apartment buildings, or any unmonitored/self-service pantry or cupboard program. 

    2. Will have at least one staff or volunteer complete Food Safety training approved by SHFBSW and will share best practices on Food Safety with other staff and volunteers. Food safety requirements vary by type of program and tools and resources will be provided by the Agency Services team to assist with this compliance measure for Agency Partners.
  • What types of storage does your food program have? (check all that apply)*
  • Are your storage spaces secured to avoid tampering?*

  • Section 4: Program Recipient Information

  • Organizations interested in Partnership must meet the following criteria:

    1. A majority of the program’s beneficiaries are people experiencing food insecurity.

    2. Will not deny access to food/product on the basis of any discriminatory practices (including on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistant program, or protected genetic information, in employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the USDA).

    3. Must not distribute food/products in exchange for money, property or services. Must provide food at no cost, nor request any financial donation from guest. Partner Agency/Program cannot exchange SHFB products for money, other property or services, nor require participation in prayer or religious or other services, including volunteer service. (i.e. guest cannot be charged a fee or asked for a donation for the food, food cannot be sold as a fundraiser, etc.)
  • Are the majority of your guests low income, ill, or children?*

  • As a reminder, this form is NOT an official partner application or a guarantee of partnership with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

    Partner Agency Interest Forms are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Agency Services team. We will be in touch with your listed primary contact in the next few weeks. 

    If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin Partnerships & Programs at partnerships@secondharvestsw.org. 

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