The Food Systems Grants program, administered by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, aims to create a thriving, healthy, and just food system in Maine. The foundation partners with grantees and philanthropic organizations to empower local communities in guiding decisions about their food systems, ensuring that communities have access to resources needed for collective well-being, and creating a food system that fosters a sense of belonging. The program supports work focused on food justice, food sovereignty, and nutrition equity, as well as land and water sovereignty and access.

The foundation will prioritize efforts that:

Are led by and/or serve Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), rural Mainers, and women
Are grassroots, equity-driven, and guided by those most affected by injustices in the food system
Contribute to the viability of healthy, just food systems, including through capacity building, technical assistance, and partnerships
Resource communities affected by racial and socioeconomic inequities to build collective power and wealth
Support both immediate material needs and the emergence of sovereign and just food systems
For 2025, the Sewall Foundation has allocated $1,870,000 for the Food Systems Grants program. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $60,000 for individual organizations or efforts, with collaborative projects eligible for up to $200,000 per year. The program also supports transformational opportunities that address critical community priorities and aim to create sustainable, systemic changes. Multi-year proposals (1-5 years) will be considered.

Applications for the 2025 funding cycle are due by February 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM, with funding decisions announced by the end of April 2025. Applicants are encouraged to review the Sewall Grant Application Guide and follow the Creating an Account Guide for step-by-step instructions. All applications must be submitted via the Sewall Foundation Grant Portal.

For additional inquiries, applicants can contact Kristina Kalolo, Community Partner, or email info@sewallfoundation.org.