Grant Program for Food Pantries (2025)

Grant Program for Food Pantries (2025)
About Indy Hunger Network's Grant Program

Indy Hunger Network (IHN) is a collaboration of organizations in Greater Indianapolis that promotes access for all to nutritious food through a sustainable hunger relief system. IHN recognizes the importance of financial support to improve operational effectiveness and implement best practices at local food pantries. Grant applications are reviewed by the IHN Grants Committee. The process is set up to assure fairness and professionalism and to be free from conflicts of interest.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for funding, organizations must meet the following requirements:

1. Organizations must have a food pantry that is already in operation, and located in and serving residents of Marion County. (Pantry Partners distributing TEFAP food in Greater Indianapolis may also apply.)
2. Organizations must be tax-exempt and be able to prove exempt status (provide EIN number for the food pantry itself or the sponsoring organization or congregation.)
3. Organizations must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. This includes requiring participation in a religious service, volunteer hours, or other dues OR self-reporting immigrant or legal status, etc.
4. Organizations must demonstrate financial responsibility. Applicants will be asked to submit a financial statement for the most recently completed financial year.
5. A board or leadership team must be in place for the organization receiving funding.

Examples of Eligible Projects

Project or items that improve the operations of your pantry are acceptable, especially projects that increase the number of clients served, improve the quality of service, or improve the nutrition of the foods distributed. Please review the Manual of Best Practices for Food Pantries and our list of previously funded projects for ideas.

Eligible projects could include (but are not limited to):
- New pantry equipment that will enhance pantry services (e.g., cold storage, shelving, pallet jacks, signage, ramps)
- Facility modifications or expansions to improve service or increase impact of pantry-specific activities
- Upgraded or new technology (e.g., computers, laptops, printers, software)
- Consulting/Planning (potential concepts that require outside professional input or expertise)
- Pantry modifications to encourage the selection of healthier foods (e.g., SWAP system, signage, produce displays, recipe cards)
- Equipment and services to increase the accessibility of the pantry (e.g., translation services, bicycle racks, wheelchair ramps)
- Improvements or expansion to include co-located wraparound services or wraparound service information
Funding will NOT be awarded for the following:
- Food purchases
- General operating expenses (e.g., utilities, mileage, salaries of regular staff)
- Cash reserves, deficit reduction or elimination, penalties, or litigation costs
- Private functions, benefits, fundraising, or lobbying activities
- Re-granting activities
- Activities not directly related to hunger relief, except for wraparound services that directly support individuals experiencing food insecurity
- Gardening or farming projects
Reporting Requirements

IHN must ensure grant compliance and proper use of awarded funds for audit purposes. Therefore, each grantee will be expected to provide a final report by the required deadline, which will include how the funds were used, outcome data, and the impact the dollars received had on your organization and the citizens your organization serves. Mid-project evaluations or site visits may be requested. A final report form will be provided to all grantees by IHN. The Grant Agreement (signed by the Executive Director, Board Chair, or equivalent leader) must be received by IHN before payment is sent. The final grant report will be due no later than December 1, 2026.

Documents Needed to Complete Application

The grant application will require organizations to provide the following documents. Make sure to attach these documents before submitting the application:
- Proposed Grant Budget (include line-item format with a breakdown of funds; it is not necessary to include brands or vendors)
- Board-approved financial report from the previous year (this can be as simple as "money in" for the pantry and "money out" for any expenses.)
- List of Board of Directors or Leadership Team (for the Pantry itself or the sponsoring organization or congregation)
Please note: The IRS Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) must also be included on page 2 of the form.

Grant Timeline

Completed applications and supplemental materials are due no later than 11:59 PM on Friday, October 17, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. You should expect to receive an update about the status of your grant application between late November and mid December. After receiving a signed Grant Agreement, IHN will send checks to selected grant recipients in December, 2025. Grant recipients will be required to submit their final report no later than December 1, 2026.

Need Help?

We want you to have a successful grant application! If you need any help (assistance with the form, discussing project ideas, etc.) please contact us.

Adam Meyer, Director of Food Assistance Programs
Indy Hunger Network
Email: adam@indyhunger.org

Contact Information
Pantry Name (include sponsoring organization or congregation)*
Name of Grant Contact*

First NameLast Name
Grant Contact Email (Note: Time-sensitive updates about the grant will be sent to this email address.)*
example@example.com
Grant Contact Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Name of Pantry Manager (If NOT the grant contact)

First NameLast Name
Pantry Manager Email (If NOT the grant contact)
example@example.com
Pantry Manager Phone (If NOT the grant contact)
Please enter a valid phone number.
Location of Food Pantry*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
EIN number for your organization (the food pantry or the sponsoring nonprofit)*

Pantry Demographic Information
Tell us about the people who visit your pantry. If you have information on the race, gender, language spoken, etc. of your pantry's clients, please share an overview of the demographics here.*

250 word limit -0/250
What steps are you taking to make your organization more diverse, inclusive, or equitable (with regard to pantry leadership, foods offered, support for other languages, etc.)? Have you made a commitment to serve an under-served or vulnerable population?*

250 word limit -0/250
Do your pantry's staff, leadership, and/or board members reflect the diversity of the community you serve? Consider race, ethnicity, gender, lived experience of food insecurity, etc. Please explain.*

250 word limit -0/250

Demographic information (race) - Please enter a number into each cell to indicate the demographic makeup of your Board and staff. For example, if your Board has 2 white members, enter "2" under "White" in the "Board of Directors" row. *

	Asian/Pacific Islander	Black/African American	Hispanic/Latinx	Native American	White	Other	Unknown	Prefer not to disclose
Board of Directors
Staff and/or Pantry Leadership

Demographic information (gender) - Please enter a number into each cell to indicate the demographic makeup of your Board and staff. For example, if your pantry has 4 women on staff, enter "4" under "Female" in the "Staff and/or Pantry Leadership" row. *

	Female	Male	Other	Unknown	Prefer not to disclose
Board of Directors
Staff and/or Pantry Leadership

Attachments
Proposed Budget - Please submit a simple list or table of the items you intend to purchase and each item's cost. Files must be uploaded in PDF, PNG, or JPG format.*

Cancelof
Financial Report - Please submit a Board-approved financial report from the previous year. This can be as simple as "money in" for the pantry and "money out" for any expenses. Files can be in a PDF, DOC, DOCX, or PNG format. *

Cancelof
Board List - Please submit a list of your organization's Board of Directors. If you do not have a Board, please submit a simple explanation of your leadership structure. Files can be in a PDF, DOC, DOCS, or PNG format. *

Cancelof
OPTIONAL: Photos - Feel free to submit any photos that might help us understand the project you're requesting funds for. Any photos you submit may be used by IHN in the future for social media, reports, etc.

Cancelof
Signature
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read the guidelines of the 2025 IHN Grant Program and are in compliance with those terms. You certify that the information provided in your application and attachments is true and correct, to the best of your knowledge, and you will comply with the 2025 Grant Program guidelines, restrictions, deadlines, and other requirements. If your grant request is approved, IHN will require a signed agreement from your Executive Director or Board Chair before your money is distributed.*

Clear
Please check the box below to prevent fraudulent entries.*
Should be Empty:

Grant Program for Food Pantries (2025)

Contact Information

Basic Pantry Information

Pantry Demographic Information

Purpose of Grant

Attachments

Signature