Current Funding Opportunities
SEPTEMBER
New England Food Vision Prize | Deadline: September 12th
Goals: The New England Food Vision Prize will support projects that build resilience, relationships, and capacity within New England’s educational institution food supply chain. A primary objective of this program is to build the capacity, infrastructure, and relationships that result in local and regional food on the dining trays of students throughout the region’s K12 schools, campuses, and universities.
Eligibility Factors: Applicants can be schools, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, or government agencies. At least one educational institution (K-12 or higher education) must be identified as a direct beneficiary and partner of the project. A letter of support will be required from this institution.
Applicant teams might include:
- Higher education institutions
- K-12 schools or school districts
- Farms / food harvesters / producers
- Food hubs
- Processors
- Network organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Municipal departments/initiatives
- Additional institutions (ex: healthcare)
Previous Prize winners are eligible to apply and all applicants and all partners must be based in New England.
Funding Limitations: Grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000. Total funds available: $1,500,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Awards announced October 17th, 2025.
Massachusetts Gap Energy Grant Program | Deadline: September 19th
Goals: Under the leadership of MassDEP, the Clean Energy Results Program (CERP) is an integrated energy and environmental partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) that reduces regulatory or other barriers to clean and energy efficient development across the state. The Gap Grant is a cornerstone of this partnership and is a streamlined energy grant funding model that has helped municipal water utilities reduce their energy usage, operating costs, and improve the environment. The grant is designed to fill the last “gap” in project financing, enabling and encouraging facilities to use energy utility incentives as well as funding from other sources to install selected energy efficiency and clean energy generation projects.
Eligibility Factors: The following entities are eligible:
- Publicly-owned (municipal, district, or authority) drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities
- Nonprofit agricultural and food-producing organizations
- Small businesses engaged in food distribution and processing
Funding Limitations: Grants will range from $75,000 to $350,000. Total funds available: $5,000,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Estimated award date is December 12th, 2025. Estimated contract start date is January 30th, 2026.
NOVEMBER
RI Agricultural Energy Program | Deadline: November 7th
Goals: The goal of this program is to support clean energy projects in the agricultural sector.
Eligibility Factors: Applicants must be agricultural operations with a physical location located in Rhode Island. The operation must be able to demonstrate it that it has produced at least $2,500 in income in the previous calendar year through tax documentation. Applicant must own the property or have otherwise received permission from the property owner on which the project will be implemented. Operation must have received a general energy efficiency audit or commit to schedule an audit prior to the funds being awarded; see application for exceptions.
Funding Limitations: Maximum funding is $20,000 per project.
Anticipated Timeline: Projects must be completed within one calendar year of the award date.
ROLLING APPLICATIONS, NO DEADLINE
Dairy Promotion Grant for Farmers
Goals: This grant program provides funding to eligible individuals and organizations for activities that improve public perception of dairy farming and/or increase consumption of local dairy products.
Eligibility Factors: Eligible applicants include:
- Dairy farmers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont (applicants must be associated with the production of cow’s milk)
- Retired dairy farmers or agriculture advocates, in partnership with an active dairy producer
- Agriculture organizations (FFA, Farm Bureau, 4-H, etc.) within our five state region
Funding Limitations: $2,400 in funding annually is available per farm.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply at least six weeks prior to your event or activity. Applicants will be notified by email of approval or denial, as well as the total funding amount. You can expect a decision within three weeks of submitting your grant application. Approved applicants will receive funding approximately two weeks after we receive your completed grant paperwork, which includes an LOA, W9, and other documents. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025. Grant recipients are required to submit a grant report after completion of the event or activity to remain eligible in the next calendar year.
Goals: The Black Farmers Learn educational subsidy will pay tuition or registration fees of up to $500 for Black farmers or land stewards who wish to expand their knowledge or skills via a self-identified training program. This program honors education from structured sources available to the public; this includes schools, farming institutions, land or agricultural collectives, and conferences or training that offer to deepen skills and increase farming capacity.
Eligibility Factors: This program is available to Black farmers or land stewards who are members of the Northeast Farmers of Color (NEFOC) Network and are pursuing publicly available, structured education programs.
Funding Limitations: This program will pay tuition or registration fees up to $500.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications are accepted the first week of every month.
Goals: The goal of this award is to support farmers' self-care needs. Examples include dinner with friends and family, deep tissue massage, gym or yoga membership, therapy sessions, family fun day and more.
Eligibility Factors: Farmers and ranchers operating in the contiguous United States, including all U.S. territories, have an annual farming income of $1,000 or more, and have never received a Real Farmer Care self-care award before.
Funding Limitations: Awards are $100 per applicant. Grants will be distributed via Visa/Mastercard e-gift cards.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications will be accepted and reviewed in the order in which they are received. Funds will be awarded when available and award distribution will occur in seasonal rounds. Applications submitted after the initial window or beyond fund availability will be considered for funding in future rounds.
Black Farmer Fund Rapid Response Fund
Goals: The goal of this award is to provide financial support to Black Farmers and Food Business Owners experiencing a one-time emergency.
Eligibility Factors: Black Farmers and Food Business Owners operating in the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Rhode Island). The business must be in operation for at least one year. The business has demonstrated engagement, work and support with community members.
Funding Limitations: Up to $10,000 awards granted for general emergencies. For 2025 Funding Freeze/Cancellation emergency award maximum is $50,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Four rounds of funding available per year. See website for timeline.
