Take a bold step to enact systems-level change to ensure we’re making the best use of the food we grow with the ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund.
We’ve analyzed where grant funding is most needed throughout the value chain, and we’re seeking a solution mix across the portfolio that spans prevention, food recovery, and recycling.
We’re looking for organizations of all sizes that after receiving funding from the ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund – anticipated to be approximately $100k-$250k on average – will very likely receive additional capital from other funders and/or advance the impact of their solution.
Alongside the grants, we're also excited to provide non-financial support of various kinds to allow grantees to unlock additional funding and advance their impact.
We’re seeking a diverse portfolio of grantees that are thoughtful about their own approaches to diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice and that share our ideal of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system.
Catalytic funding is a critical lever in the fight against food waste, and the Catalytic Grant Fund is designed to help organizations overcome system-level barriers, de-risk innovations, and solve agency problems – ultimately stimulating larger amounts of future funding from more traditional sources.
The Catalytic Grant Fund accelerates high-impact food waste solutions across the entire food system. Through a series of targeted open call cycles, the Fund deploys both recoverable and non-recoverable grants, plus tailored post-grant support, to initiatives with strong potential for meaningful food waste and reduction.
Catalytic: We back opportunities where our capital and support unlock impact or funding that wouldn’t otherwise happen.
Data-Driven: Our funding strategy is grounded in ReFED’s data, analysis, and expertise, directing capital where it’s most needed.
Capacity-Building: Beyond funding, ReFED connects grantees to funders, strategic partners, visibility opportunities, and other ecosystem support to accelerate scale and success.
The ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund distributes recoverable and non-recoverable grants to for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations across the food waste solution spectrum – from prevention to rescue to recycling – and considers initiatives including but not limited to research, general operations, capacity-building, pilots, and convenings.
In addition to funding, ReFED is committed to supporting the applicants and grantees of the Catalytic Grant Fund whenever possible through non-financial support and activities such as:
Featuring organizations actively fundraising in ReFED’s Deal Flow Report for the Food Waste Funder Circle
Making tailored introductions to other solution providers and prospective partners
Providing feedback and thought partnership on strategy, initiatives, pitch presentations, etc.
Amplifying the work of organizations through ReFED’s channels, including social media, the Capital & Innovation Market Update newsletter, speaking engagements, and the Food Waste Action Network
The Catalytic Grant Fund hosts a series of open calls—each with a particular thematic focus area where catalytic grant funding can have the greatest impact—through which grants will be distributed. We encourage all types of organizations with an initiative related to the Grant Fund’s current thematic focus area to apply for funding.
We'll be sharing out regular updates on upcoming information sessions and open calls for grantees via email. To receive updates, please complete the form below. For media inquiries or general questions, please email us at [email protected]. Interested in contributing to the Catalytic Grant Fund? Please email Sam Buck at [email protected].
