The Arlington County Department of Human Services is launching a grant funding opportunity to boost food security in Arlington. Funding will be available to area 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, and public schools and universities with projects that support aspects of the Food Security Strategic Plan.

The maximum grant award per organization is $25,000. Organizations may apply for one project. A total of $150,000 in one-time funding is available.

This is the second round of project funding for food security projects. Last year, the County awarded $150,000 in grant funding for projects that provided healthy food and snacks at schools, supported nutrition education, covered the cost of Meals on Wheels for some homebound seniors, and bolstered SNAP outreach.  

“The work funded in the first round of grants has been impactful, and we anticipate more of the same with this second round of funding,” said DHS Director Anita Friedman. “Arlington’s non-profits, faith-based organizations, and schools see where the needs are every day, and we are fortunate to be able to fund the ideas and initiatives that will help address those needs.”

The Strategic Plan was published in 2022 and identified 28 strategies in five categories that would support the improvement of food security in Arlington.

View the full notice of funding availability for eligible activities, reporting requirements, and additional grant guidelines.

Applications are now live and will be accepted until Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 5 p.m. Funding awards will be announced in late September 2024, and recipients will be required to sign the FY 2025 Food Security Mini-Grants Program Grant Agreement with the County. Funds must be spent by organizations before June 30, 2025.