Illinois Farm to Food Bank Capacity-Building Grant
The Illinois Farm to Food Bank Capacity-Building Grant helps farmers, food banks, and community partners strengthen the connections that move fresh, local food into Illinois’ emergency food system so more Illinois families can count on fresh, nutritious food..
(Detailed Guidelines)
About the Grant
The Capacity-Building Grant is part of the Illinois Farm to Food Bank (IL-F2FB) Program, a statewide initiative led by Feeding Illinois.
This funding supports practical projects that help more Illinois-grown food reach neighbors who need it. Projects can include things like equipment, facility improvements, or transportation tools that make it easier to collect, store, and deliver food safely.
This grant is designed for Illinois-based farmers, food banks, and community organizations who are actively providing or preparing to provide Illinois-grown food to the state’s emergency food system. Applicants must also demonstrate an existing and/or planned partnership that benefits IL-F2FB, including a letter of support from at least one Feeding Illinois food bank partner.
Possible examples of projects include:
Adding cold storage or refrigeration units
Purchasing delivery vehicles or transport equipment
Upgrading facilities for food handling or packaging
Improving technology for tracking and distribution
This grant does not fund routine farm operating costs, food purchases, or general business expenses.
Why This Matters
When food grown in Illinois stays in Illinois, communities thrive. Farmers gain reliable markets for their crops. Food banks and food pantries receive fresh, healthy food for their neighbors. Families and individuals gain access to the kind of nutritious foods that sustain them.
This grant helps make that possible. It focuses on the infrastructure that connects every link in the chain, from the field to the table, so that local food can move efficiently, safely, and consistently across the state.
“These investments help us move more Illinois-grown food where it’s needed most, while supporting local farmers and strengthening our food system for the future.”
- Steve Ericson, Executive Director, Feeding Illinois
Key Dates
The Capacity-Building Grant will open soon. Here’s what to expect.
January 28, 2026
Grant announcement at the Everything Local Conference
February 6, 2026
Application open
March 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Application deadline
April 10, 2026
Awards announced
Grant period (period of performance):
Subject to appropriation, begins no sooner than July 2, 2025 and continues through June 30, 2026. (Rollover may be eligible upon review and approval by the Advisory Council and any other required approvals; any funding carried forward must be expended by 12/31/2026.)
Office hours: Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CST (Feb. 11, 18, 25).
Access details shared via Feeding Illinois social media.
Before You Start
Before opening the application, take a few minutes to make sure you’re ready. This is a reimbursement-based, capacity-building grant, meaning eligible expenses are paid up front and reimbursed later. Planning for cash flow ahead of time will help the process go smoothly.
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Before you open the application, have these ready:
Active SAM.gov registration (with a valid UEI)
State of Illinois prequalification (GATA) and good standing requirements
Start early: SAM.gov/UEI + GATA setup can take several weeks—your SAM.gov must be active and your UEI must match in SAM.gov and the Illinois Grantee Portal before an award can be made.
Confirm your organization is not on applicable exclusion / stop-payment / sanctions lists
Confirm you are based in Illinois and your project strengthens Illinois’ emergency food system.
Identify at least one Feeding Illinois food bank partner and secure a Letter of Support.
A project narrative + budget + timeline so the story and the numbers match.
Plan cash flow. This is reimbursement-based, meaning you pay eligible costs first.
A Conflict of Interest Disclosure.
Want to draft your answers before submitting?
You’re welcome to download our optional Application Prep Template (Word) to draft your responses ahead of time. This can be helpful if you’d like to plan, collaborate with partners, or prepare answers offline before completing the online form.
NOTE: This template is not an official submission. All applications must be submitted through the online form.
Full details, requirements, and required attachments are explained inside the application and in the FAQ.
What to Expect When You Apply
Applications will be submitted online at feedingillinois.org/capacitygrant. Applications submitted or delivered to any other address or contact will not be considered for review or funding.
The online application form is simple and direct, designed to make the process clear.
Every application is reviewed by the Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council in collaboration with Feeding Illinois.
A 50% (1:1) non-State match is required. This must include a minimum cash match equal to at least 50% of the requested grant amount; the remainder may be in-kind. Match waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis if approved; food banks are not eligible for a match waiver.
After applications close, all submissions are reviewed by the Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council in collaboration with Feeding Illinois. Applicants will be notified of award decisions in April 2026. Due to the volume of applications, individual feedback cannot be provided.
Applications are reviewed after the deadline; funding is not awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Need Help?
We know applying for a grant takes time and planning. That’s why we’re hosting weekly office hours where anyone can join to ask questions, share ideas, or get clarification about the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Capacity-Building Grant.
To ensure fairness, all questions answered during office hours or by email will be added to the public FAQ so everyone has access to the same information.
For questions or concerns about the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Capacity-Building Grant, contact Grants@feedingillinois.org. We will respond within two (2) business days.
Office Hours Schedule
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CST
February 11, 18, and 25
Details on how to join office hours will be shared through Feeding Illinois’ social media channels. Please follow Feeding Illinois on LinkedIn for updates and access information.
Please note: This is Feeding Illinois’ first time offering a grant like this. We appreciate your patience as we work to keep the process clear, fair, and accessible. Clarifications or updates may be shared as questions arise, and all updates will be posted publicly to ensure equal access to information.