Previous Food Assistance Grants

• How well does the application demonstrate a link between the project and the stated goals and objectives?
• Does this application clearly explain the specific issue and their approach to addressing it?

• Does the application address how equitable benefit will be provided to all current, potential, and specifically historically underrepresented community members? 
• How were end users, especially historically underrepresented community members, consulted in the design and implementation of this project?

Are 1-2 letters of support (for projects $5,000 or more) provided from a meaningful partner or partners which demonstrates a clear understanding of the project and explains how they will either help with or benefit from the project results? Examples of letter providers may include: local government officials, clients, board members, and more.   

• Are the outcomes specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic within the grant period?
• Is there an appropriate plan to measure achievement and report project results?
• $50,000 and over projects: Is it evident that the applicant has researched this project to avoid unforeseen expenses and/or challenges?

• Goal: To meaningfully sustain and/or improve client services through staffing enhancement, training, capacity improvements, and/or equipment purchasing.
• Successful applications will demonstrate how their project directly supports the following:
  • Expanded client access to nutritious and culturally relevant foods.
  • Improved operational efficiencies.

• Goal: To meaningfully improve local food systems with a pilot project, innovative program, and/or by supporting local agriculture or business.
• Successful applications will demonstrate how their project directly supports the following:
  • Current and emerging community needs.
  • Local economy:
    • Local business and/or farm purchasing (especially those owned by historically underrepresented communities).
    • Washington-grown/processed foods and American-made products.

• Goal: To meaningfully support historically underrepresented communities, service programs, and/or current or emerging community needs.
• Successful applications will demonstrate how their project directly supports the following:
  • Historically underrepresented communities, including:
    • Rural areas, tribes, BIPOC communities, veterans, people experiencing homelessness.
  • Underrepresented programs and community needs, including:
    • Meal programs.
    • Home delivery services.
    • Nutritious, special diet, culturally relevant, and/or ready-to-eat foods.

Q: Is the word count strict – can we go over?
A: Unfortunately no, you will not be able to submit your application if you go over the word count. Please use notepad rather than Microsoft Word if you are cutting and pasting content – for some reason the word count tends to be inaccurate when you transfer it from Word.

Q: What advanced funding options are there?
A: WSDA hopes to be able to provide advanced funding options in future grant cycles, until then please consider the following: 
• Reimbursement is typically processed within 30 days, so this is how long your organization will need to “float” project expenses.
• There are three grant sizes. You may consider the option of doing a smaller project in the short-term and a larger project when more capital is available.
• There are organizations called CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions) which provide funding options such as bridge loans. A bridge loan can help pay the upfront costs of a project until reimbursement arrives. Could be worth looking into for your organization.

Q: The application has a required question about capital improvement projects, even though my project is not a capital improvement (“For any capital improvement projects, please indicate whether the property is: ⭘ Owned ⭘ Leased”). How should I answer this question?
A:  This is an error in the application, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Please answer “owned” so you can proceed with the application, and this information will be disregarded and you will in no way be penalized. Unfortunately, we cannot update the application now that it is live.

Q: Can we apply awarded funds to purchases made before the project is approved and/or before we sign a contract?
A: Unfortunately, awarded funds can only be applied to purchases made after your project is approved and/or contract is signed. We expect this to be on or around November 30, 2021.
 
Q: Can we apply on behalf of an organization that does not yet have their SAM or DUNS registration, or their non-profit status (but we do)?
A: Definitely recommend talking through each case individually, but there is an option to apply (and be contract holder) for a partner organization or subcontractor that does not meet some of the eligibility requirements of this grant. Recommend reaching out to Lindsey Robinson for further discussion before applying. 
 
Q: This grants program lists 3 grant types and 4 grant objectives. Will preference be given to projects that meet more types and objectives, and/or is there a preference for certain types or objectives?
A: Projects will not necessarily be rated higher for meeting multiple types or objectives if it meaningfully addresses at least one of each. The types and objectives provided outline the intent of this funding, but they are not ranked and each is important in their own right. We will be funding projects that indicate future positive impact on the community and the WA hunger relief network as a whole, which can be accomplished in multiple ways.
 
Q: What is the purpose of the statewide vendor (SWV) number?
A: The purpose of the SWV number is to enable WSDA Food Assistance as a State Agency to reimburse your organization with awarded funds. (If Harvest Against Hunger is your contract administrator then you may not be required to get a SWV number.) When your organization obtains a SWV number, you decide how you want to be reimbursed – either electronically or by check.
 
Q: How will we receive awarded funds?
A: Awarded funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis from the administrator of your contract, which may be WSDA or Harvest Against Hunger.
 
To request reimbursement: awarded organizations will keep receipts and/or invoices for eligible expenses and submit them (may include general ledgers) per the schedule laid out in your contract (typically by the 20th of the following month). It typically takes around 30 days for reimbursement to be received, so please determine the amount your organization can afford to ‘float’ for this period as it may determine the grant size you decide to apply for.
 
WSDA FA is currently researching and sincerely hopes to be able to provide advance payment or bridge loan options in future grant cycles.
 
Q: Are 501(c)(4) organizations eligible to apply?
A: Yes, if the organization meets the other eligibility requirement then they are eligible to apply.

Q: How do I join the weekly info sessions? 
A: Join us weekly on Fridays from 10am-11am on Teams until 11/12/21. Click here to join.

Q: Is there a limit to the "$50,000 and over" grant size? 
A: No, there is not a predetermined grant size limit. 

Q: If our agency or tribe has multiple small projects or pieces of equipment that we are seeking to fund, would you recommend we apply for multiple grants or for one combined grant? 
A: While this answer may not apply to every situation, we generally recommend that an agency or tribe combine multiple small projects or pieces of equipment into one project, and then submit an application for the entire bundle. 

FAQ will be updated weekly.
Last updated 10/29/2021