Georgia Mountain Food Bank Partner Capacity Building Grant

Georgia Mountain Food Bank Partner Capacity Building Grant - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Please read the following instructions carefully. The grant application will not be considered if it is no completed as directed.

GMFB is thrilled to offer funding support via the Partner Capacity Building Grants. Our mission centers on empowering partner agencies-food pantries, soup kitchens, and backpack programs. We're committed to enhancing their capabilities by providing resources, tools, and knowledge to better serve their communities. Our focus will be on:
- Enhancing volume while improving client service across our service area.
- Strengthening our infrastructure to better support our network partners.
- Boosting public awareness, mobilizing our community, and advocating for policy change to end hunger.
- Together, we aim to foster a more impactful, equitable, and just food system, promoting optimal health and enabling everyone to reach their full potential.
GOALS

To further our goals, this grant aims to assist your organization in developing and improving food assistance services tailored to your community's specific needs and challenges. Examples include:
- Increasing meal/lb. distribution in underserved or food-insecure areas.
- Providing distribution at alternate hours, such as weekends or evenings after 5 pm.
- Consistently offering wrap-around services.
- Consistently providing nutritional education.
EVALUATION CRITERIA

Reviewers will evaluate award recommendations based on the following criteria:

a. Likelihood of the agency's request to reach more underserved households, improve guest health, and enhance household financial stability compared to other applicants.

b. How the organization's request addresses barriers to access and reaches a broader spectrum of community members. This includes tailoring services to meet the needs of immigrants and/or communities of color.

C. The organization's capacity and capability to execute project goals and deliverables within the grant period.

d. Clarity of the agency's explanation regarding how their project will better address the unique needs of their neighbors.

PARTNER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for funding, partners must:
- The agency partnership must be active for at least 6 months before a new agency is eligible to apply for funding. Exceptions my be made on a case by case basis with special consideration for most in need service areas.
- Have current signed contract and all other renewal paperwork.
- Be current on all invoices and applicable reports.
- Follow all GMFB contractual and compliance requirements.
- Actively claimed your agency's location in vivery.
- Agree to submit required financial documents (receipts, copies of paid checks, etc and impact reports related to this grant by the deadline.
- Agree to refer to the Food Bank partnership in public announcements related to this grant.
APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications are open from 11/1/25 -11/30/25. Please contact your GMFB Agency Services to assist in troubleshooting the application submission process.

Awards will be made based on the reviewers' recommendations and funding available. This will be a competitive grant process. Recipients will be notified by 12/15/25, by mail, e-mail or phone and will be asked to complete and sign an agreement before receiving any equipment or funding. A report on the use of funds will be due on or before 5/1/2026
GMFB Partner Capacity Building Grant Application

Agency Information
Agency Name*
Agency Code*
Person Completing the Form*

First NameLast Name
Email address of the person completing the application*
example@example.com
Agency/Program Phone Number*
County*
Physical Address*
Mailing Address *
Does your agency serve at alternate hours? (i.e. weekends or after 5pm)*

YesNo
Which wraparound services does your agency provide?*

ClothingEducational ClassesFinancial AssistanceJob Development/ReadinessMedicalSNAP/BenefitsN/AOther
Neighbor Visitation Frequency*

Allows less than monthly visitsAllows visits monthly, 2x per month or 3x per monthAllows weekly visits or more
What are your distribution hours?*

Distributes 20-24 hours per monthDistributes 25-34 hours per monthDistributes 35 or more hours per month
Do you distribute TEFAP*
Do you distribute GNAP*
Average number of households served across all food services each month*
Average number of pounds per distributed per month*
Number of staff/volunteers*
Do you fundraise?*
If you answered yes to fundraising, how do you fundraise?*
If you answered no to fundraising, why don't you fundraise?*
Have you received an Agency Capacity Grant in the past from GMFB or ACFB? If so, provide the year you received the grant and what was granted.*
Request Information

This grant opportunity is intended to help build your organization's capacity and capability to better serve your guests and work toward three core goals:

1. Increase the number of meals/lbs. distributed in underserved or areas with limited food access

2. Distribute at alternate hours (weekends or evening hours after 5 pm

3. Offer wrap-around services consistently

4. Offer nutritional education consistently

The questions below will help us understand how your requests will help your organization improve and/or expand your services and impact while working toward these three goals.
Please select which goal(s) your request supports:*

Increase the number of meals/lbs. distributed in underserved or areas with limited food accessDistribute at alternate hours (weekends or evening hours after 5 pmOffer wraparound services consistentlyOffer nutritional education consistently
How does your organization view your partnership with the Georgia Mountain Food Bank*

Independent and views GMFB as a food vendorInterdependent and engages well with GMFBDeeply interdependent, aligns with GMFB's vision, values, and goals, and is actively participating in coalitions/agency work groups, as applicable
Please choose one category and the item(s) included in your request. Check the grant type and then check the specific grant item(s) for the grant type for which you are requesting funding.
Grant Type - Client Choice Grant (Only for agencies that have a client choice pantry or are converting to a choice pantry.)
Client Choice Items

Rolling ShelvesMerchandising CoolerMerchandising FreezerStorage BinsCartsDigital ScalesOther
Grant Type - Produce/Dairy Grant
Produce/Dairy Grant Items

CoolerWalk-in CoolerOther
Grant Type - Enabled Grant (Only for agencies participating in the Enable Program)
Enabled Grant Items

CoolerWalk-in CoolerFreezerWalk-in FreezerOther
Grant Type - Technology Grant
Technology Grant Items

TabletComputerHotspotScannersPrintersOther
Grant Type - Other
Other Grant Items
Please describe why your agency needs the selected project categories items, and how these items will help build your organization’s capacity to serve your neighbors. In your response, include how this request will help address current challenges and enhance your ability to meet community needs.*
Please check one*
How will the requested items help you to improve guest capacity?*

Sustain our capacity to serve our current guests.Expand or grow our capacity to serve more guests
Please check the specific populations these funds will help you better serve:*

General populationOlder adults and/or childrenImmigrants and/or communities of colorOther
How will the requested items help you to improve nutrition?*

Improve the health of our guestsExpand or grow our capacity to serve more nutritious food by offering guest choiceN/A
How will the requested items help you to improve perishable storage capacity?*

Sustain our capacity to store & distribute fresh produce and/or perishable foods to our guestsExpand or grow our capacity to store & distribute fresh produce and/or perishable foods to guestsN/A
Other ways the requested items will improve capacity?*

Financial StabilityOperationsN/A
Please check one*
Does your budget include contingency funding*

YesNo
How many coolers do you have? Include the type and amount. (i.e. 3 upright refrigerators)*
How many freezer do you have? Include the type and amount. (i.e. 3 chest freezers)*
Tell us anything else we should consider when reviewing your request. (Optional)
Project Budget

In this section, you will complete a detailed budget of your request.

NOTE: Remember to budget for shipping costs, electrical upgrades, and installation, as applicable. You must provide an active link to the items requested in the "Weblink and vendor name" column for items to be considered.

Budget*

	Grant Type	Item	Weblink and vendor name	Unit Price	Quantity	Total Cost (taxes and shipping
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item
Item

Total Grant Amount Requested From GMFB: $*
Do you have additional funding for this project? If yes provide the amount and funder.*
If the Food Bank is only able to partially fund your project, will your organization be able to self-fund the balance to complete the project?*
If the Food Bank is only able to provide partial funding for your project, how much money can your organization confidently self-fund? Please enter a dollar amount; $*
Evaluating impact as part of the grant process, the Food Bank will request a utilization and impact report on Partner Capacity Building funds. This report will be shared with donors and aid in future fundraising efforts for this grant. Your organization must provide details on the number of guests served and pounds distributed. Additionally, we ask that you be prepared to explain how the grant has influenced your guests and/or operations. Photographs, stories, and quotes from guests and volunteers are highly encouraged for added value.
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Georgia Mountain Food Bank Partner Capacity Building Grant - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

GMFB Partner Capacity Building Grant Application