Foundation offers grants for food projects
The Liberty Prairie Foundation recently announced a request for proposals for the release of its Lake County Community Food Systems Micro-grant Program.
This program provides grants ranging from $500-$2,500 to support projects that will make local, fresh food more accessible and affordable. The foundation will fund projects in Lake County that are using food as a catalyst for change, whether by relief efforts, entrepreneurial opportunities, education and more.
Grant funds through this program may be used broadly for staff costs, equipment, infrastructure and other related activities. A total of $10,000 in funding is available through this initiative. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: growth or distribution of produce in an underserved community, community gardens, season extension, mobile pantries, agriculture-related job training programs, entrepreneurship and nutrition education initiatives. Eligible groups must be a 501c(3) organization in Lake County.
"The foundation is committed to providing resources to community groups that are doing such important work across the county to feed vulnerable residents, educate people about good food, and that are engaged in community and economic development through food and agriculture," Liberty Prairie Foundation President and CEO Brad Leibov said.
In 2012, the Liberty Prairie Foundation launched the Waukegan Local Food Project to assess what is happening on the ground in communities throughout Lake County.
Staff provided technical assistance targeted to Waukegan organizations pursuing local food projects and gained insight into the opportunities, challenges and needs of community groups.
LPF continues to explore and pilot fresh food distribution programs to increase the amount of healthy food available to communities with low access. The foundation is increasingly engaged in supporting grassroots projects across Lake County and will provide resources through this initiative to help organizations build community through food.
The deadline to apply is July 1. For more information about the micro-grant program, visit www.libertyprairie.org. Contact Emily Weber, program associate, for more information at Emily@libertyprairie.org.
The Liberty Prairie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation in Grayslake. Since 1993, the foundation has provided leadership and financial support for sustainable local food system development, social entrepreneurship, conservation, environmental education and civic engagement.
The foundation is headquartered at and owns the Prairie Crossing Farm, a working organic farm nestled inside Prairie Crossing, the nationally recognized conservation community. Programs support natural area restoration and land health, local food production and environmental- and food-related education.
Visit www.libertyprairie.org for additional information.