Community Redistribution Fund

Community Redistribution Fund

Good Shepherd Food Bank recognizes that poverty and food insecurity disproportionately impact people of color, and is committed to leveraging its power as the largest hunger-relief organization in the state to redistribute resources directly to organizations and coalitions committed to meeting the needs of immigrants, refugees, Indigenous communities, and communities of color.

Grant Information
Become Involved
CRF Advisory Committee
2022 CRF Report
CRF Awards

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 to communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities in Maine. This grant is intended for organizations led by and working primarily with communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities.

Priority will be given to community-led organizations and efforts led by and primarily serving people of color. Previous grantees are encouraged to apply.

Rows of boxes packed with culturally relevant foods to be distributed to families.

Funding Tiers

To ensure equitable redistribution, the tiered approach below addresses varying levels of need across Maine. Applicants can only apply for one (1) of the grants listed below and are encouraged to consider which grant fits their needs and project proposal.

  • 25 Community Impact Grants
    • Maximum Individual Award Amount: $20,000
    • Total Funding Available for Community Impact Awards: $500,000
  • 3 Systemic Impact Grants
    • Maximum Individual Award Amount: $50,000
    • Total Funding Available for Systemic Impact Awards: $150,000
  • 10 Grassroots Impact Grants
    • Maximum Individual Award Amount: Up to $10,000
    • Total Funding Available for Grassroots Impact Awards: $100,000

Use of Grant Funds

Use of grant funds can include but are not limited to: the purchase of food for direct distribution or meal preparation; gift cards/credits to culturally specific markets for community members; food sovereignty projects; farming/agriculture projects; transportation; storage; and distribution costs.

Up to 20% of grant funds may be used for general operating expenses. If you have questions about particular expenses, please contact Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Community Redistribution Fund program lead, Marpheen Chann (mchann@gsfb.org) to discuss.

Community Redistribution Fund Informational Session

2023 Grantmaking Timeline

Additional information about the 2023 grant cycle will be available shortly. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Marpheen Chann (MChann@GSFB.org).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible organizations/projects must be based in Maine and contribute to a more just and equitable food system. Grassroots, community-led organizations and coalitions, fiscally-sponsored, and collaborative projects are encouraged to apply. Please note that individuals are not eligible to receive grant funds.

To ensure that CRF grant funds are redistributed to organizations led by and primarily working with communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities, the organization must meet one of the following:

  • 50% or more of the organization’s leadership staff or program directors are from a community of color
  • 50% of board members or governing decision-making roles are from a community of color
  • 50% of activists and on-the-ground community change-makers are from a community of color
  • If an organization does not meet the organizational criteria of being a community of color-led, a steering committee led by members of from a community of color may suffice.
  • Individuals will not be funded.

Good Shepherd Food Bank recognizes that poverty and food insecurity disproportionately impact people of color, and is committed to leveraging its power as the largest hunger-relief organization in the state to redistribute resources directly to organizations and coalitions committed to meeting the needs of immigrants, refugees, Indigenous communities, and communities of color.

The CRF Community Table, grant review committee, is comprised of Food Bank program staff and previous Community Redistribution Fund grantees. Join us at the table!

To learn more about the Community Redistribution Fund read our blog posts, here.

For questions about the grant program and application, please contact Good Shepherd Food Bank’s CRF Team:

Have questions?

Contact:
Marpheen Chann
mchann@gsfb.org
(207) 245-2173

Khadija Ahmed
kahmed@gsfb.org
(517) 894-3098

Join the CRF Grant Review Committee

2022 CRF Advisory Committee

Headshot of Alice Kabore, 2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor

Alice Kabore

2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor
Headshot of Charles Mugabe, 2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor

Charles Mugabe

2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor
Headshot of Crystal Cron, 2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor

Crystal Cron

2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor
Headshot of Grace Valenzuela, 2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor

Grace Valenzuela

2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor
Headshot of Maulian Dana, 2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor

Maulian Dana

2022 Community Redistribution Fund Advisor

2022 Community Redistribution Fund Report

Community Redistribution Fund Awards

Grantees from the first, second and third rounds of funding.
GranteeService AreaProject
Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (formerly United Somali Women of Maine)Cumberland County, LewistonProvide culturally relevant food
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC)Cumberland County, Lewiston, Augusta, Saco/Biddeford, MillbridgeProvide culturally relevant food
United Youth Empowerment Services & Masjid Al SalaamLewistonSupport a new food pantry at Masjid Al Salaam on Bartlett Street in Lewiston
Golden OpportunityLewiston/AuburnSupport the distribution of culturally relevant food to elderly and disabled Somali community members in the greater Lewiston/Auburn area
Capital Area New Mainers ProjectAugusta/Central MaineSupport the distribution of Eid boxes for families in the greater Augusta area
Mano en ManoDowneastSupport the distribution of culturally-specific boxes of food both for families that live year-round in the region and for single migrant workers who are arriving in May for blueberries and seafood processing
Angolan Community of Maine (ACM)StatewideSupport the purchase and delivery of culturally relevant foods from locally owned businesses, to community members in Greater Portland, Mid Coast, and Androscoggin counties
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian TownshipIndian Township, Washington CountyIncrease availability of traditionally cultivated, culturally-relevant foods for community members reliant on the food pantry
Eastern Woodlands RematriationWabanaki communities, Northern MaineSupport food sovereignty projects that focus on traditionally cultivated foods, and distribution of traditional foods from Wabanaki producers for distributions through tribal food pantries
Wabanaki Public HealthWabanaki communities, Northern MaineSupport the distribution of traditional fresh and foraged foods and clean water to tribal communities without clean drinking water
Micmac FarmsMicmac communities, Aroostook CountySupport the distribution of Food Sovereignty boxes, filled with foods produced by Native American producers, to families within the Aroostook Band of Micmacs
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant PointPleasant Point, Washington CountySupport the construction of a greenhouse used to grow culturally-specific foods for community members
Boys & Girls Clubs of Border TownsAroostook & Washington CountiesSupport the preparation and distribution of traditional Sipayik & Maliseet meals to youth and families
In Her PresenceCumberland CountySupport the distribution of culturally relevant food to immigrant women and children throughout Cumberland County
Cumberland County Food Security CouncilCumberland County/statewideSupport the production and processing of Maine-raised halal meat at Ummah Farm in Turner
South Sudanese Community AssociationStatewideSupport the distribution and delivery of culturally relevant foods to elders in the South Sudanese community statewide
Presente MaineStatewideSupport The Food Brigade, which distributes fresh foods straight to Latinx community members statewide who are most vulnerable, least connected, least resourced, and at highest risk
New England Arab American OrganizationStatewideSupport the purchase and delivery of Halal meats and other foods for Middle Eastern and Northern African community members in Cumberland County, Biddeford, and Augusta
Congolese Community of MaineStatewideSupport the distribution of culturally specific foods sourced from immigrant-owned businesses to Congolese community members statewide
Isuken Co-opLewistonSupport the distribution of prepared meals during Ramadan
AK Health and Social Services To support immigrant families of the Islamic faith by providing access to culturally specific food and produce during Ramadan
Azerbaijan Society of Maine To support the purchase of culturally appropriate food to be packed and delivered to families in low-income housing complexes in the greater Portland area
Black Owned Maine To support the expansion of nutritional access through the sponsorship of the cost of CSA memberships, delivery, and farm vouchers for Black families
Boys and Girls Clubs of Border Towns Presque Isle Aroostook CountyTo support a full-time Culinary Mentor to provide access to healthy food service, cooking classes, and distributing culturally relevant foods to Wabanaki youth across four sites in Aroostook county
Gateway Community Services Maine Androscoggin and Cumberland Counties• To increase the availability of culturally specific food access to a total of 60 New Mainer families in both the greater Portland and Lewiston areas
Greater Portland Family Promise To increase access to culturally important foods for asylum-seeking immigrant families through a community-led initiative in tandem with the inter-faith community and Fresh Food for All African Mobile Market
Isuken Coop To support the distribution of culturally appropriate meals to the elderly and low-income families
Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services To provide weekly distributions of culturally relevant foods and access to vouchers at immigrant-owned stores to families
Mawita'nej Epij'ij
To offer a separate private space for Wabanaki people to cultivate food and a relationship to the land safely
Multicultural Community and Family Support Services Androscoggin County To enhance their Pandemic Food Security Program in Lewiston-Auburn by expanding storage and transportation capacity, better access to culturally specific foods and ingredients, relationship building, and more accessible distributions from their site.
Somali Bantu Community Association To support the expansion and building of a Halal slaughter station at SBCA's Wales farm property to diversify the halal options that Somali Bantu refugees in central Maine can access
Sustainable Livelihoods Relief Organization Androscoggin County To support the distribution of hot meals during Ramadan to immigrant families, Elders and community members in Lewiston-Auburn