How to Apply

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome organizations of all sizes – ranging from early-stage to established – that meet the eligibility criteria outlined below to apply:

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Are applying on behalf of a benefit corporation, for-profit company, public-private partnership, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, or fiscally-sponsored project headquartered and/or operating in the U.S.

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As a result of receiving a grant from ReFED, will very likely receive additional capital from other funders and/or advance its impact, often in a way that would not otherwise have been possible without a ReFED grant

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Can put to eligible use at least $100,000 or more within an approximately two-year grant period

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Will use the requested funding for an initiative related to the Catalytic Grant Fund’s current thematic focus

Timeline: Open Call #1 - Consumer Food Waste

The application and selection process takes approximately four months and goes through the following phases:

1

Interested applicants submit a Letter of Intent (LOI).

Target deadline:

11/30/22

2

Select applicants invited to submit a Full Application.

Target
Notification Date:

12/21/22

Application Process
3

An Independent Review Committee evaluates the submissions and selects the finalists

Target REVIEW PERIOD:

Jan - Feb 2023

4

The Grant Fund Selection Committee considers the finalists and makes a decision on who receives funding.

Target Review Period:

March 2023

5

Grantees notified.

Target
Notification Date:

03/20/23

Selection Process

Selection Criteria

Submissions will be considered based on the following selection criteria.

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Initiative Impact Potential

Will the initiative for which the applicant is seeking funding enable consumers to actively reduce wasted food at home, as well as in restaurant and foodservice settings, by making it obvious, affordable, and convenient, while also mitigating any potential negative environmental and social impacts?

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Catalytic Potential

Can a grant from ReFED combined with non-financial support unlock additional funding and/or advance the applicant’s impact, often in a way that would not otherwise have been possible?

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Organizational Impact Track Record

Does the applicant have a demonstrated ability to create a positive impact, based on metrics relevant to the applicant, and to thoughtfully consider and address potential negative environmental and social impacts?

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Team & Implementation Potential

Does the team and board leading the initiative for which they are seeking funding have lived experience directly related to the initiative, as well as relevant skills, knowledge, and resources that will enable them to successfully execute the use of funds?

Open Calls

The Grant Fund will host a series of open calls – each with a particular thematic focus area where catalytic grant funding can have the greatest impact. Explore the open calls below.

Consumer Food Waste

As a group, consumers are the largest generators of food waste, but it's not always easy for them to change wasteful behaviors. This first Open Call is focused on solutions and innovations in need of funding that can enable consumers to actively reduce their food waste at home — as well as in restaurant and foodservice settings — by making it obvious, affordable, and convenient. To bolster these solutions, the Catalytic Grant Fund seeks to support initiatives at a local, regional, and/or national level that include but aren’t limited to:

Application period closed
Learn More Meet the Review Committee

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