Slow Food RVA Micro-Grant Program: Feeding Our Future
The Board of Slow Food RVA is pleased to announce the launch of a micro-grant program, Feeding our Future. It is designed to help further research, product and program development, and implementation for local producers, educators, and community activists.
Program Support
The Feeding our Future program is funded by SlowFood RVA events like GRAZE, proceeds from Richmond Magazine’s Elby Awards, and additional private donors. We welcome additional financial contributions at any time, in any amount, to help continue this effort.
Who can apply for a grant?
Any individual, small business, or non-profit committed to Slow Food International principles of good, clean, fair food, cultural diversity, and conviviality.
What kinds of projects qualify?
High priorities include food-related projects that help increase or enhance:
· local skills, knowledge, and capacity,
· the production and availability of locally produced foods,(especially artisanal, Ark of Taste, heirloom, or sustainably produced),
· regional and cultural food traditions,
· taste or youth education, including school and community gardens and urban farming and food initiatives.
What are some specific examples?
Funding to cover travel costs to attend a regional or national conference about Slow Food or sustainable agriculture that relates directly to your business, teaching, or education.
Funding to cover travel costs to attend a workshop or apprentice with an expert in your food specialty (cheese-making, heirloom fruit or vegetable growing, baking, market farming, CSA operations, etc.)
Funding to support agricultural biodiversity, including the purchase of seeds and equipment related to producing a crop or breed of livestock, especially if it is:
· on the Ark of Taste,
· an existing or new Presidia project, (local projects that work to improve the infrastructure of artisan food production),
· on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy watch list,
· another open-pollinated/heirloom variety,
· a food important to the cultural traditions of native or immigrant communities in Virginia, or
· another local food crop or tradition at risk.
Do I need to be a Slow Food USA member?
Members will be given priority, but anyone can apply. To join Slow Food USA, click here. Joining Slow Food USA makes you a member of your local chapter.
When are applications due?
At this time, grants proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed biannually. Spring deadline is April 15, and the Fall deadline is October 15. Grants will be awarded in May and November.
How much funding can I request?
The maximum grant request is $2,000 but most awards are in the $500-1,000 range. We strongly encourage you to seek matching funds from other private, government and/or foundation sources. This grant can be used as a match, too. The grants are quite competitive and due to funding constraints we are only able to support a few of the many worthy projects that are submitted.
Are there any post grant requirements?
As part of the post grant process, we require recipients to turn in a report summarizing the results from the project, including pictures and other artifacts. In some cases we may ask that you present your project at a local event.