Introduction
Since 2011, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation has provided catalytic support to organizations and leaders in pursuit of increased production and consumption of food sustainably grown and harvested in New England. A strong regional food system improves our health, our economy, and our environment.
The Foundation believes educational institutions are important community resources and economic engines. Where and how they direct their purchasing clout can strengthen local supply relationships. Similarly, how they prepare and deliver menu items can engage students as more aware and active participants in the region’s food system.
Opportunity for Your Organization
The 2024 New England Food Vision Prize will award $1 million to projects that build resiliency, relationships, and capacity within New England’s educational institution food supply chain. Prize awards may range from $25,000 up to $200,000.
Eligibility
A primary objective of this program is to foster collaboration and create new ways of working together on shared challenges and goals. At least one educational institution (K-12 or higher education) must be identified as a direct beneficiary of the project. A letter of support will be required from this institution.
Primary applicants must be a K-12 school, college, or university, a nonprofit organization, or a government agency, including a municipality.
Applicant teams might include…
- Higher education institutions
- K-12 schools or school districts
- Farms / food harvesters / producers
- Food hubs
- Processors
- Network organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Municipal departments/initiatives
- Additional institutions (healthcare, corrections)
While for-profit businesses may participate as project partners, the primary applicant receiving grant funds from the Kendall Foundation must be a nonprofit organization, government entity, or municipality.
Primary applicant Prize winners are not eligible to submit applications in consecutive years; however, they are eligible to participate as part of a team in the year following an award. Additionally, primary applicant prize winners with unspent funds remaining in a previously awarded project are ineligible to apply.
*Maine K12-focused projects: Maine K-12 focused projects please see additional eligibility requirements in our FAQ.
Criteria
- Measurable Impact: In addition to measurable increases in the sourcing of regional food within K-12 or higher education dining programs, this project has the potential to deliver replicable, scalable, or breakthrough solutions that support our region’s collective commitment to producing 30% of the food consumed in New England by 2030. It is clear what difference this project will make in the local/regional institutional supply chain and who will benefit as a result.
- Collaborative: Funding would be used to further relationships and collaboration between institutional food procurement/supply chain partner(s), ultimately providing regional food to at least one identified educational institution.
- Regional: Food associated with the project must be grown/sourced from within New England.
- Equitable: The project identifies a specific injustice or inequity in the food system and sets clear goals, strategies, and measurable outcomes that address that inequity.
- Sustainable: There is a clear plan for how the project will be managed during the grant period and how the project will continue beyond the initial grant period.
Use of Funding
Examples of possible uses of funding include the following:
- Infrastructure investment
- Equipment purchase
- Capacity and staffing
- Training and certification
- Marketing and awareness building
- Revolving Loan Fund
Funding may not be used for:
- The recurring purchase of food
- Endowment
Prize proposals may range from $25,000 to $200,000, and should include staffing costs, marketing needs, equipment purchases, capital improvements, etc. The applicants should indicate how many years it will take to fully implement the project. A two-year project is permissible.
Application & Selection Process
April 10, 2024 : Prize Announcement
April 30, 2024 | 3-4:30pm ET : Webinar with Foundation staff and Farm to Institution New England
Presentation plus time for Q&A. Applicants are not required to attend this optional webinar. Can’t attend but want to listen? This webinar will be recorded and posted right here in early May.
May 31, 2024 : Deadline for Letters of Interest
Letters will briefly explain the idea, how the project meets the criteria, and which institutions and partners will collaborate to realize the goal. Letters should be no longer than two pages. Instructions, details on submission, and more information on the Letter of Interest process here.
June 21, 2024 : Invitation for Full Proposal
The Foundation will review all submitted Letters of Interest and invite a subset of teams to submit full proposals for consideration.
August 9, 2024 : Proposal Deadline
Proposals will expand on the original idea to include responses to a series of prompts, which will be the basis upon which applications are scored by staff and externals reviewers.
August – September 2024 : Proposal Review Period
During this period, external reviewers and Foundation staff will score proposals and make recommendations to the Foundation board.
October 25, 2024 : Recipients Notified
After approval by the Foundation board, Prize winners will be notified.
Prize winners will be expected to update the Foundation on their progress periodically and will be invited to connect with other Prize winners to share progress, knowledge, and experiences related to their work.
Resources
Do you have a seed of an idea but need to talk it out? Are you looking for partners? Are you wondering whether your organization or idea fits this program? Send us an email! The team at Farm to Institution New England is also available to support you with your questions.
Email: info@kendall.org or tania@farmtoinstitution.org