Mardag Foundation’s Food Access Grant Program supports organizations and programs that ensure access to food and address inequities in the food system.
Donor Name: Mardag Foundation
State: Minnesota
County: Dakota County (MN), Ramsey County (MN), Washington County (MN)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/06/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 5 Years
Details:
Through five-year grants of $100,000 per year, they aim to fund systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to food for low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.
Priorities
The Food Access Grant Program will consider proposals that address systems change and/or direct service work to eliminate barriers and increase access to culturally relevant, healthy, affordable food for low-income immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous children, youth and families in the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.
The Food Access Grant Program will consider proposals that address one or more of the following:
- Extent to which the work empowers immigrant/refugee or Native American/Indigenous communities in reclaiming ownership and control of the food system ‒ the right to grow, sell, access and eat food that is fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate and grown with integrity for the well-being of the people, land and animals
- Extent to which the work strives to provide culturally relevant food options in areas with lower access
Funding Information
Grant amounts will be $100,000 per year for a five-year grant period, for total grant amounts of $500,000 per grantee. In 2026, up to $750,000 is available, and anticipate awarding approximately seven multi-year grants, of which five grantees will be from Greater Minnesota.
Geographic Areas
Mardag Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public entities located within and serving residents of Minnesota. The geographic focus is the East Metro (Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties), as well as Greater Minnesota.
Eligibility Criteria
- Demonstrated commitment to the geography served with preference for organizations based in Minnesota
- 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, groups with an eligible fiscal sponsor
For more information, visit Mardag Foundation.
