First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is now accepting proposals for its Native Agriculture & Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI). Through the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, First Nations plans to distribute up to ten grant awards averaging $37,500 to support projects that address food system control, food insecurity and increasing access to fresh and healthy foods in Native communities.

Accessing healthy food is a challenge for many Native communities. Without access to healthy foods, a nutritious diet and good health are out of reach. The goal of the NAFSI project is to build local and systemic infrastructure in Native American communities focusing on supporting projects that increase access to fresh, healthy foods and improve the overall health and well-being of Native children and families. This project is also intended to help increase knowledge of and control over where food comes from and help increase knowledge of the linkages between food and Native cultures, and between families’ income and entrepreneurially-related food ventures.

Grant Period
The grant period will commence January 1, 2013 and end December 31, 2013.

Selected organizations must send two team members to a technical assistance and training event hosted by First Nations. To that end, each applicant must set aside a minimum of $2,000 of its proposed requested funds for attendance at this mandatory technical assistance and training event. These funds will be used for travel, lodging and other travel related expenses. This amount, totaling at least $2,000, must be included in the applicants' budget with the total amount requested not to exceed $37,500.

 

Organizations eligible to apply include U.S. based Native American-controlled, nonprofit 501(c)(3), tribal organizations, or Native American community-based groups such as community garden projects, food banks and/or food pantries that serve their communities. Priority will be given to projects aimed at increasing the availability of healthy, locally-produced foods in Native communities, reducing food insecurity, entrepreneurship and/or programs that create systemic change by increasing community control of local food systems. Moreover, this project will give priority to organizations that can assist and contribute to the development of emerging and promising practices in strengthening Native food systems.

 

All applicants must fully complete the First Nations ONLINE Grant Application, including the submission of all necessary attachments. The following attachments must be uploaded during the submission process:

• Attachment A: An estimated budget for the proposed project that breaks down costs and is reasonable and related to grant expenditures. (view sample)
• Attachment B: A detailed project timeline that documents important project goals, milestones and benchmarks. (view sample)
• Attachment C: A copy of the organization’s or fiscal sponsor’s IRS Determination Letter
• Attachment D: List of Board of Directors, with Tribal affiliation (if applicable), and Key Staff 
• Attachment E: A completed W-9 for the organization or parent organization/fiscal sponsor. (download form)

Proposals are due December 21, 2012 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time. Please allow yourself enough time to submit a complete application before then, as the system will shut down automatically at 5:00 pm and no data may be entered thereafter.  Partial, faxed, emailed, mailed or applications that are not received on time due to user error will not be considered.   

Optional Conference Calls for Interested Applicants

First Nations Development Institute will host two conference calls for interested applicants. Conference calls provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the application, proposal criteria or other proposal related questions before the application deadline. Participation IS NOT mandatory; however, applicants are encouraged to participate. Applicants can participate in one or both calls.

• The first call will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 2 PM MT.
• The second call will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11 AM MT.

The call in number for both calls is: 1-877-427-7602 (toll-free). The Conference Code is 7315891721

Questions
Should you have questions about the RFP or this project, please do not hesitate to contact Raymond Foxworth by phone at (303) 774-8838 or by email at rfoxworth@firstnations.org.

Additional Resources

• Download printable Request for Proposals
• Download instructions on using First Nations' Online Grant Application System