MAZON provides general support or project
funding for programs working to alleviate
the immediate effects of hunger experienced
by low-income people who are often forced
to make a difficult decision between paying
for rent, utilities and medical expenses and
putting food on the table.
These programs include food pantries, soup
kitchens, and congregate/home-delivered meals
programs serving frail seniors and other at-risk
populations.
General range of Emergency/Direct Food Assistance
grants: $5,000-$15,000.
Applications in this category seeking more
than $15,000 are discouraged. |
Funding Priorities
MAZON prefers that grants in this category not
be used for the purchase of food. Food-purchasing
grants are restricted to organizations serving
special-needs populations and those demonstrating
that they are located in and principally serve
a rural area.
Capital equipment grants in this category are
also restricted to rural organizations. Applicants
requesting funds to purchase food or equipment
must receive permission from MAZON prior to applying.
All organizations wishing to apply to MAZON must
demonstrate that hunger prevention and relief
are major organizational priorities. This reflects
MAZON’s belief that private food programs,
while important and necessary, are not substitutes
for the systemic change needed to address the
problems of hunger and poverty in America. Although
applicants are not required to request MAZON funding
for anti-hunger advocacy and education, all proposals
must demonstrate a strong commitment to and participation
in this kind of work.
MAZON does not expect grocery and meal distribution
programs to stop providing direct services to
clients and become full-time advocates. However,
to qualify for funding, we do expect organizations
to be actively involved in advocating on behalf
of the people they serve and the programs that
provide critical assistance to people in need.
Advocacy-related activities might include maintaining
communication with legislators regarding hunger-related
bills, speaking out on behalf of government food
assistance programs (especially the Food Stamp
Program), and supporting state and local anti-hunger
advocates.
Examples of the kinds of work we support in this
funding area include:
- a food pantry that, in addition to providing
groceries, assists low-income individuals and
families with securing government food benefits;
- a soup kitchen that, in tandem with congregate
meals, also serves clients by connecting them
with job training and case management services;
- a home-delivered meals program for people
living with HIV/AIDS that directs clients to
appropriate health and nutrition services;
- a kosher senior meals program that collaborates
with the broader anti-hunger community to effectuate
long-term solutions to hunger.
Learn more about
MAZON’s grant application process.
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