Food as Medicine Grant Program 2026 (Maryland)

The Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR) and the Office of Grants Management (OGM) are soliciting applications for the 2026 Food as Medicine Grant Program.

Donor Name: Montgomery County Office of Grants Management

State: Maryland

County: Montgomery County (MD)

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 03/21/2026

Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000

Grant Duration: 1 Year

Details:

$750,000 in total grant funding will be available to support healthcare and clinic-led Food as Medicine programs that increase access to culturally diverse, medically-relevant, nutritious, and locally produced food for Montgomery County households screening positive for food insecurity that include at least one child aged 0-18 and include a parent and/or child who have a current diagnosis of diet-related disease.

Funded programs must be anchored in a healthcare or clinic setting and integrate clinical screening, referral, nutrition education, and recurring food access to improve health outcomes, strengthen care coordination, and reduce barriers to healthy eating for pediatric patients and their families. Programs should be designed to provide consistent food access on a recurring basis (at minimum biweekly), rather than one-time or episodic support, and in quantities intended to meaningfully supplement household nutrition needs during a defined enrollment period.

Eligible programs include referral pathways originating from community health clinics serving adults, provided that the household benefitting from the intervention includes: one or more children ages 0–18; a parent/caregiver or child who meet program eligibility criteria; and that program services are structured to support improved health outcomes.

Funding Information

The grant performance period is anticipated to cover a twelve (12) month period, from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, with the opportunity for renewal for one additional year contingent on performance, continued need, and availability of funds. Individual awards are expected to range from $100,000 to $300,000. Final award amounts may be lower than $100,000.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must be healthcare providers or clinics (including hospital systems, federally qualified health centers (FQHC), or community clinics), or nonprofit organizations applying in formal partnership with a healthcare provider, where the healthcare partner plays a defined leadership role in screening, referral, and program oversight. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to carry out all core program functions, including clinical screening, food access, nutrition education, and data reporting, either directly or through committed partners.

Applicants must meet all of the following Grant Program and Montgomery Eligibility Conditions outlined below:

Grant Program Eligibility Conditions:

Applicant(s) must demonstrate the ability to conduct the proposed project, and proposed expenses must be for a new activity, expansion of existing activities, or a combination of both. County funding cannot be used to supplant other funding for already planned activities.
Eligible applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a healthcare provider or clinic, including hospital systems, FQHCs, or community clinics; or
- Be a nonprofit organization applying in formal partnership with a healthcare provider, where the healthcare partner plays a defined leadership role in clinical screening, referral, and program oversight.
In addition, all applicants must meet ALL of the following program requirements:
- All partners must be identified at the time of application;
  - Any non-applicant partners must submit a Memorandum of Understanding that clearly define their role, level of engagement, compensation expectations, and responsibilities in the proposed project;
- Collectively, identified partners must cover all core program functions, including clinical screening, food access, nutrition education, and data collection and reporting; and
- Applicants must meet the graduated match requirements established for this program:
  - Year 1: Minimum 15% match (up to 10% in-kind); and
  - Year 2 (if renewed): Minimum 25% match (15% in-kind), with documentation.

Montgomery County Eligibility Conditions:

The organization must be currently registered and in Good Standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT);
The organization must have a “Current” standing with the Maryland Secretary of State OneStop – Charities Public Registry;
The organization’s principal place of business must be located in Montgomery County; if a national or regional organization, it must have a location in Montgomery County through which it provides related services;
All activities and expenditures under this grant program must be provided in? Montgomery County and/or be exclusively for Montgomery County residents;
All successful applications must clearly state the following and activities and expenditures funded through this grant program must:
- Be provided free of charge (this includes a prohibition on requesting donations and use of County resources for fundraising);
- Not be provided in promotion of a particular religion, political party, etc. or with a requirement of service or program attendance; and
- Be open and available to all Montgomery County residents, regardless of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibility, genetic status, presence of children, or source of income.
Current Montgomery County contract or grant award winners must be current on all reporting obligations for other awards and those reports must reflect substantial progress towards the goals of their awards; and
Proposed expenses must be for a new activity, expansion of existing activities, or a combination of both. Grant funding cannot be used for any purchase which has already been made; purchases or activities unnecessary to accomplish grant purposes as determined by Montgomery County; prior obligations of and/or fines; debts and penalties imposed on the grantee; lobbying expenses; alcoholic beverages; or supplanting (replacing) other funds.