Equity and Impact

Hunger is a widespread and persistent problem across our state with disproportionate impacts on communities of color, Indigenous, refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeking populations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted racial disparities within our food system that create unnecessary barriers for people of color to access the food they need when and where they need it. 

Communities of Color Emergency Fund

The Communities of Color Emergency Fund was born out of the Food Bank’s response efforts to help support the work of communities of color, Indigenous, refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeking populations-led organizations in times of crisis to help address unanticipated and emergency food needs among their communities.

Eligibility: Organizations primarily led by and working with communities of color, Indigenous, refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeking populations in the state of Maine.

Funding Level: Based on need and available funds.

Application Period: Year-round on a rolling basis.

Grantmaking Timeline: The Equity and Impact Team will make a determination in a timely manner, usually within two weeks.

Person pressing tortillas and cooking them on grill at bottom of image

Community Redistribution Fund

The purpose of the Community Redistribution Fund is to support organizations’ efforts to address the disproportionate impact of food insecurity and increase access to culturally relevant foods.

Eligibility: Organizations primarily led by and working with communities of color, Indigenous, refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeking populations in Maine.

Funding Level: Please visit the Community Redistribution Fund webpage by clicking here for more information.

Application Period: We look forward to sharing the news about when the CRF accepts applications sometime in Fall 2024.

Grantmaking Timeline: Please stay tuned to hear about an open application process to be launched sometime in Fall 2024. In the meantime, staff and the grant advisory committee are working to do an automatic redistribution to last year’s grantees and to several organizations that meet some of the priorities from last year’s process.

Application Instructions: FMI: Community Redistribution Fund

Fried whole fish with rice and vegetable

Cultural Celebrations Fund

There are many holidays and observances celebrated throughout the year, which often include cultural cuisine and meals that play an important role in bringing communities together.

Eligibility: Organizations primarily led by and working with communities of color, Indigenous, refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeking populations in the state of Maine.

Funding Level: Up to $5,000 per organization per year, fiscal year, beginning in July and ending in June.

Application Period: Year-round on a rolling basis.

Grantmaking Timeline: Up to one month, please submit applications in a timely manner.

Application Instructions: We advise organizations to apply a few months in advance of a holiday or observance so that funds may be available in advance of the celebration.

World Refugee Day 2022 - Celebration in Auburn/Lewiston

Contact the Community Impact Team

Community Redistribution Fund
Marpheen Chann
MChann@GSFB.org

Cultural Celebrations Fund
Khadija Ahmed
KAhmed@GSFB.org 

Emergency Fund
Meg Taft
MTaft@GSFB.org

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