Agency Program Resources

There are a number of organizations and associations which provide resources - funding, grants, advice, technical assistance -- for hunger relief and may be in a position to support or advance a Member Partner Agency of Eastern Illinois Foodbank.

The Foodbank is pleased to provide a link to these resources for the programs of our network of partner agencies:

In an effort to provide you with more information about possible resources for your agency programs, the Foodbank is providing the following list of links. These links will take you to a variety of sites with information on possible funding sources for your programs. If you have information on possible resources that you would like to share, please contact the Foodbank, and we will post the link.

Grants.Gov

This website, designed to support President Bush's E-Gov initiative by improving the grant application process, offers one-stop shopping for information on applying for all federal grants. The new web site makes it easier for organizations to learn about and apply for federal grants from every government agency. The Department of Health and Human Services led the development of the cross-agency Web site, which now has information about more than 1,000 available grant programs involving all 26 federal grant-making agencies. These agencies together award more than $400 billion in grant funds. The site provides information in a standardized format across agencies and includes a "Find Grant Opportunities" feature to help applicants find potential funding opportunities. The site also contains an "Apply for Grants" feature that greatly simplifies the application process by allowing applicants to download, complete and submit applications for specific grant opportunities from any federal grant-making agency.

Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has expanded the web site for its Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The site includes links to DHHS funding opportunities for which non-profit faith-based organizations are eligible to apply. DHHS created the web site to help faith-based and community organizations locate resources to assist them with their work and to strengthen the collaboration between grassroots organizations and the federal government.

Summer Food Service Program

Sponsored by the USDA, the summer food service program provides children that typically receive free or reduced priced meals during the school year with meals during summer months. Approximately 15 million children receive meals through the school lunch program, while only a mere 3 million are fed through a summer program such as this. If your agency has the facilities to offer such a program, please check out this site.

Illinois Teen REACH

This link will take you to the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) funding opportunities page. Click on "Request for Proposals (RFPs)." Once on this page, select "Futures for Kids: Illinois Teen REACH" and follow the instructions for downloading files regarding available funds to implement these Teen REACH programs. Teen REACH seeks to help participating youth, ages 6 through 17, develop positive expectations for their future. Programs should provide structured activities during non-school hours to increase academic success while reducing risk-taking behaviors. The program seeks specifically to address the following five core elements: (1) improving academic performance; (2) recreation, sports, cultural and artistic activities; (3) positive adult mentors; (4) life skills education; (5) parental involvement.

Rural Community Facilities Grants and Loans

This program provides federal small grants and larger loans to help rural government agencies and nonprofit groups pay for a wide variety of infrastructure upgrades, including those related to community food security. It is a division of the Rural Housing Services, of the US Department of Agriculture.

The Illinois State Board of Education

The Illinois State Board of Higher Education provides reimbursement for snacks and suppers served in after-school programs (up to 57 cents per snack and up to $2.09 per supper). If you are a school, community based organization, or day care center that serves at-risk youth in after-school programs, you may be eligible for these reimbursements. The program site must be located in an attendance area of a school where at least 50 percent of the enrolled students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. In addition, the program must offer regularly scheduled education and enrichment activities in a supervised environment, and serve snacks and/or suppers which meet USDA’s nutritional guidelines. Snacks and/or suppers may be served in after-school programs on weekdays, weekends, or holidays, including vacation periods during the regular school year. For more information about this program, or for an application, contact the Illinois State Board of Education School Business and Nutrition Support Services, 100 North First Street, Springfield, IL 62777 by email (CNP@isbe.net), phone (800/545-7892) or FAX (217/524-6124).