Brief Description:

Coulee Food System Coalition Mini Grant Request for Proposals

The Coulee Food System Coalition (CFSC) is committed to building a food system that is healthy, ecologically sustainable, economically vibrant, culturally relevant, and socially just – our mission is to build it. To this end and through fiscal sponsorship by the Robert and Eleanor Franke Charitable Foundation and Hillview Urban Agriculture Center, the Food for All mini grants will fund programs, activities, and projects that align with our mission. These projects will ultimately engage, empower, and connect community members.

Description:

The Coulee Food System Coalition (CFSC) is committed to building a food system that is healthy, ecologically sustainable, economically vibrant, culturally relevant, and socially just – our mission is to build it. To this end and through fiscal sponsorship by the Robert and Eleanor Franke Charitable Foundation and Hillview Urban Agriculture Center, the Food for All mini grants will fund programs, activities, and projects that align with our mission. These projects will ultimately engage, empower, and connect community members.

In order to actualize our mission of building such a food system locally, connections between various sectors of the food system and infrastructure need to be further built. This will require collaborative efforts from all sectors of the food system from planting, growing, and harvesting to processing, distribution, access and preparation, education, and consumption to food waste recovery.
This application is for a third round of grant funding. Rounds one and two were awarded and analyzed for the purpose of identifying and directing funds to needed areas in round three. The funds from round three will be directed towards community projects that truly move the dial on building a local and self reliant food system by- increasing the processing and distribution of fresh local food, food waste recovery and composting, community food system-related policy, and educational and skill building opportunities that will increase urban agriculture in La Crosse County.

Goals of the Coulee Food System Coalition

Reduce hunger by promoting food access as a basic human right.
Build an equitable, economical, and environmentally sound community food system.
Connect food with other community issues and promote cultural diversity.
Instill self-reliance by teaching skills in food growing, food production, and preparation.
Encourage wide participation and involvement in all aspects of growing a community-based food system.

Grant Requirements

Applicants will be required to partner with a minimum of one (1) additional community organization; there will be no maximum number of partners. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to non-traditional partners. A letter of support from all partner(s) must be provided.
Requests for funding must be completed and submitted by 12:00pm June 9th, 2016 (round 3) to Liz Beard at Great Rivers United Way, 1855 E Main St. Onalaska, WI 54650.
Applicants that receive funding will be required to serve on one (1) CFSC subcommittee of their choosing. Subcommittee options include community context (built environment) and food access. As the coalition grows and evolves more subcommittee opportunities will arise.
A report will be expected to confirm funds are spent appropriately.

Additional information

There will be no maximum/minimum limit on the amount of funding that can be requested. Average amount requested is between $5,000-$10,000.
Expenditure of dollars by grant recipients are to take place prior to 18 months after receipt.
A total of approximately $45,000 will be dispersed in each round.
Awards will be communicated by July, 2016.

Contact Information:

For questions about this application, please contact Pam Hartwell at cfscoalition@hillviewuac.org