CFP Funding Opportunity
Are you eligible for a CFP grant?
Eligibility
You must be a private non-profit organization with prior experience in food systems work. Click here for additional details. To see previously funded projects Launch the NIFA Enterprise Search
How to Apply
All applications must apply through grants.gov. The RFA document provides all the necessary details to prepare and submit an application. We strongly encourage applicants to start well ahead of the submission deadline to plan your project and the funding proposal.
Application period is now closed. Peruse the 2025-2026 RFA to start planning for next year's cycle.
Request for Applications
USDA released a two-year Request for Applications for the 2024 and 2025 cycles. The 2024 cycle has closed, with proposals due November 7, 2024. The 2025 cycle will close October 30, 2025. $4.8 million is available in grants ranging from $25,000 to $400,000 for one to four years. Click here for the NIFA announcement page or to subscribe to their newsletter. If you have not applied for federal grants before, you will need sam.gov and grants.gov registrations, which can take several weeks to complete. Visit these websites for details, or here.
ISED Support
ISED is funded until 2027 to provide technical assistance to CFP applicants. We can assist prospective applicants for CFP grants through several channels:
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Answer specific questions about the grant program, request for application, and the review process.
Answer or get answers for you on technical questions about the match, purchases, or other financial aspects.
Strategize with you about program design, partnerships, evaluation, sustainability, and similar topics.
Review your grant proposal and provide some feedback on its clarity, content, analysis, project description, and budget/budget narrative.
Note that very technical questions (such as questions about the eligibility of capital purchases) may require us to contact USDA staff for clarification, and will likely require extra time for us to respond to your request. We also do not assist with access to or issues with the grant.gov portal
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We have written guides, videos, and resources that will help you develop an application even before asking for one-on-one support.
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Contact us at any time before the official RFA issuance period. The 2026 RFA has already been released, so we recommend beginning to develop a project ahead of the application period. Don’t wait until the last minute to contact us, as we cannot take new requests for substantial assistance within one week of the grant submission deadline.
Resources
USDA-NIFA Resources:
The NIFA CFPCGP funding page is here Click here for USDA’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program website page. It contains resources on application components and much more.
USDA NIFA CFP Resources for CFPCGP applicants
NIFA Application Guide: This prior guide provides general information and references pertaining to the grant application process as well as NIFA-specific instructions and requirements. It will be updated for the coming grant cycle.
NIFA Federal Assistance Policy Guide: This document provides in-depth guidance on NIFA policies as they relate to federal grants.
NIFA Application Status Dashboard. This look-up tool offers a quick and easy way to view the status of applications for NIFA funding opportunities
Data Management Plan for NIFA-funded Research, Education and Extension Projects. This page has links to an FAQ, videorecording, and details on expectations of grantees in creating a data management plan. In addition, this page explains how to create a data management plan.
Logic Model Planning Process. This page explains the purpose of logic models, contains a generic template, and an FAQ.
List of Funded Projects since 2006. You may find it helpful to look at previously funded projects to determine if your planned project is a good fit. Click here for a list of the funded CFPCGP since 2006.
Indirect Costs. This document explains the various options you have in obtaining indirect costs for your project.
Goals for a Hunger Free Community. The RFA requires all applicants to work toward hunger free community goals.
ISED Resources
CFP Publications
Application guides to help prepare a successful Community Food Projects program:
Other CFP Publications How to build grassroots participation and a shared vision with partners
Inclusive Community Engagement Toolkit
Case studies of successful CFP funded projects
A Guide to Community Food Projects
Case studies of CFP funded projects with analysis of new directions. A Decade of Community Food Projects in Action
Healthy Food, Healthy Communities
Outputs and Outcomes from CFP-funded projects
Activities and Impacts of Community Food Projects 2005-2009
A comprehensive guidebook to food assessments
What’s Cooking in Your Food System: A Guide to Community Food Assessments
Form Video Guides
SF-424
Conflict of Interest
For written companion guides, go here.
Current and Pending
Other Resources
Evaluation Resources
A practical guide to help CFP staff conduct rigorous evaluation.
Community Food Project Evaluation Handbook
A companion hands-on workbook to help CFP staff conduct rigorous evaluation.
Community Food Project Evaluation Toolkit
Values Based planning and Evaluation for CFP funded projects.
Whole Measures for Community Food Systems
A companion piece to Whole measures documenting partners who have used this guidebook.
Whole Measures for Community Food Systems: Stories from the Field
CFP-Related Webinars
A variety of webinars for CFP grantees and others implementing community food systems projects: Webinars from New Entry Sustainable Food Program
USDA produces an annual webinar on the Community Food Projects, which provides an introduction and answers many questions. This page has a repository of webinars going back to 2016.