Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the dollars for Colorado’s Food Pantry Assistance Grant program come from?
To ensure ongoing access to food for community members, particularly those impacted by the end of federal SNAP emergency allotments, state lawmakers have allocated additional funding to be released quickly to community organizations who provide that direct access. With support from Gov. Polis, the State of Colorado will provide $14 million in supplemental funding for food banks and food pantries in 2023. The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger will distribute $4.05 million directly to food pantries.
The Colorado Food Pantry Assistance Grant (FPAG) was originally created to support organizations working directly in their communities to ensure that everyone has access to healthy food options near where they live. The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger administers the program, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services. This unique program that only Colorado has created and implemented supports the food needs of Coloradans, local agricultural producers, and our state’s food systems. The funding helps food pantries and food banks with food resources, support for delivery systems, and storage needs as well as prioritizes the purchasing of healthy foods grown by Colorado farmers.
The new supplemental FPAG funding is intended to help meet increased need in Colorado communities as SNAP benefits decrease significantly due to federal action for families and individuals. Specifically, the grant hopes to aid food pantries in the purchase and distribution of Colorado-grown produce, products, and nutrient-dense foods and to expand access to culturally relevant and nutritionally appropriate foods. This focus will ensure that the charitable food system is grounded in equity and responsive to community needs.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
This grant opportunity is open to all food pantries in Colorado as defined by CRS 26-2-139. A “food pantry“ is defined as an individual site that buys food or receives donations of foods that are then directly distributed to those in its community.
Current FPAG grantees receiving an award for 2022-2023 are eligible to apply for supplemental funding. Past FPAG grantees and those who have never applied before can apply for 2023 – 2024 funding. (See the “Funding Eligibility” section for more details.)
Only 'food pantries' are eligible for this grant since 'food banks' have already been awarded other funding. Organizations serving Jefferson County only and receiving funding from The Community First Foundation's Jefferson County Food Pantry Assistance Grant will not be prioritized for this funding, but may still apply.
What are the requirements of this grant?
All of the following are required by selected grantees:
Attend the grantee welcome webinar on May 24, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Purchase Colorado agricultural products whenever possible.
Administer a community member survey (10 surveys per pantry) in September 2023.
Complete the mid-term report, submit expense reports through Google Forms, and submit purchasing receipts via email by Oct. 15, 2023.
Complete the final report, submit final expenses through Google Forms, and submit purchasing receipts via email by July 15, 2024.
Spend at least 50 percent of the supplemental FPAG awards by Aug. 30, 2023 and the entirety of the supplemental funding by June 30, 2024. If at least 50 percent of funding is not spent by Aug. 30, 2023, then the remainder of the award will be forfeited.
Do not resell or apply fees for the purchased food.
Do not use this funding to purchase gift cards of any kind.
Do not use this funding to purchase food that will be made into prepared meals and served.
How much money is available through the grant for each organization?
Individual organizations can request a minimum of $2,500 and up to a maximum of $50,000. If you are applying on behalf of a group or coalition of two or more organizations, the minimum you can request is $51,000 and the maximum is $100,000. Food pantries cannot apply both as an individual and as an organization in a group application. Only the group application will be considered in those cases.
Are there certain types of work this grant will specifically fund?
While all eligible organizations are encouraged to apply, the community grant reviewers will prioritize activities that meet the goals of this funding opportunity, which include:
Purchasing Colorado grown produce and/or products
Expanding access to culturally relevant and nutritionally appropriate foods within the charitable food system
Implementing strategies that ensure the charitable food system is grounded in equity and responsive to community needs
Reimbursing indirect and direct costs associated with the distribution of food, including transportation, food delivery, refrigeration and/or storage
How will the grant awards be decided?
Community grant reviewers self-select to review applications in their region. Reviewers will range from community members to nonprofit leaders and have a wide range of experience, knowledge and expertise in the areas of hunger relief and food justice, especially in their local communities. To increase transparency, decision considerations are clearly laid out in the application alongside each question.
Specifically for current FPAG grantees with an award for 2022 - 2023: You may be eligible for an expedited award process if you chose to apply for the same grant amont as FPAG 2022-2023. Given that your food pantry underwent a community review process within the past year, you can receive the same funding award immediately as long as you confirm basic eligibility and operational requirements in the application. Those who would like to apply for a different supplemental funding amount than their 2022 - 2023 award will have to complete a full application and undergo the standard community review process. These requested amounts for supplemental funding are not guaranteed.
When should we expect to receive notification about grant awards?
Grantees will be notified of funding decisions on May 22, 2023.
How will organizations be required to report on their grant funding?
You will be required to submit mid-term reports, expense forms, and receipts/invoices by Oct. 15, 2023, and then final reports, expense forms, and receipts/invoices by July 15, 2024. You must also administer a community member survey (10 surveys per pantry) in September 2023. At least half of each award must be spent by Aug. 30, 2023, and the entirety of the award by June 30, 2024; otherwise, awards will be returned to the State of Colorado.
Will there be more than one round of the grants awarded?
This is likely the only round of funding for 2023 - 2024. However, if additional federal and state funding becomes available, we share those opportunities in the Blueprint’s bi-weekly newsletter. Sign up to receive those updates and other news.
Can I use this grant money to purchase gift cards to give to our clients (such as grocery store, gas, or VISA gift cards)?
These grant funds may not be used for gift cards. This grant requires receipts/invoices as documentation of the amount spent on food/non-food related costs. Expense reports and reporting also include the types of food, whether it’s Colorado grown, and the number of households serviced. Gift cards do not meet these reporting requirements.
How should we keep a record of receipts and documents for this grant?
Retain receipts documenting food or non-food items purchased with grant funds. Electronic copies of receipts must be submitted with your midterm and final grant reports (instructions will be provided to grantees). We recommend that your organization creates its own internal system for tracking expenses related to the grant to ensure all the dollars are spent correctly. If you don’t have a system in place, the Blueprint can provide technical assistance to help your organization develop tracking and data collection tools.
Can I use this grant money to purchase items to make hot meals to distribute to clients?
No, this funding cannot be used for purchasing food that will be made into prepared meals and served. Entities awarded a grant must have a program that meets the definition of a food pantry as defined. Other hunger relief organizations are excluded from this funding, including hot meal delivery or service.
Organizations may purchase food to provide to their clients and deliver that food, in addition to hot meals funded through another source.
Since I cannot use these funds to distribute hot meals, is it possible to use the money to provide cold meals and what would those look like?
If your organization has appropriate facilities and capacity to repack food, you may consider breaking down food purchased into smaller quantities for clients with no food preparation equipment. An example might be providing half a loaf of bread, cut-up veggies, deli meat and cheese.
My agency grows food and distributes that food to pantries and other agencies, what can I use this grant money for?
The legislation defines food pantries as the only eligible entities for this supplemental FPAG grant administered by the Blueprint. If your organization runs that type of program, at least 80 percent of the funds must be used for purchasing food and no more than 20 percent may be used on costs associated with distribution of these supplemental funds only.
Can I use the 20% of the “non-food” money on socks, clothes, or other items my agency provides to clients?
No, the legislation states that “a grant recipient may use up to twenty percent of its grant award to cover the expenses associated with the distribution of food, including: (A) transportation; (B) food delivery; (C) staff costs; (D) refrigeration; and (E) storage.” Ongoing expenses, such as rent and repair costs, are not permitted as well.
Is there a comprehensive list of suggested places to make food purchases?
Organizations may purchase food from any source, though Colorado producers are preferable where possible. Consider how to stretch your food dollars for the biggest impact by purchasing directly from Colorado/local producers, regional food banks, or wholesale. Here are resources to connect with Colorado Producers:
Can funds be used on food bank fees or food purchases?
Some Colorado food banks have food purchasing programs where food banks purchase food outright from wholesale sources, which are available for purchase at cost by hunger relief partners. If your local food bank has such a program, FPAG funds may be used for this purpose.
Can we partner with another nonprofit to distribute food? If so, how should we document that information?
Yes, the application asks if your organization distributes food to individuals or other organizations as part of the evaluation process. If the organizations receiving your food have changed since your application was submitted, please send an update to dwood@endhungerco.org. Your interim and final reports will include expense reports, and invoices/receipts for the food your organization purchased and then distributed to other organizations.
Will paper surveys be available for agencies that do not require information from their clients or whose clients are experiencing homelessness? Will that information be shared back with the agency? Can we enter information for our clients?
Yes, surveys will be available in a paper format in September 2023. The purpose of the client survey is to aid in understanding the impact of this funding.
The survey data that your clients provide can be aggregated and sent to your organization upon request. You may administer the survey using an interview style, which can be very helpful for some populations such as those with low literacy and those without current prescription glasses. However, if possible, surveys should be completed by clients to minimize the power dynamic of clients providing answers that food pantries want to hear.
What if our clients are underage or school-age children? Will they need to fill out a survey as well?
No, children do not need to complete surveys. However, if possible, parents of the children could complete the survey.
What is the timeframe for this grant?
If you are awarded funding, at least 50% of this funding MUST be spent by August 30, 2023. The grant period begins on the date you sign your contract and ends on June 30, 2024; no exceptions.
Can I purchase seeds with this funding?
No, seeds are not an allowable cost with FPAG funding.