What is the PPS Food Fund?

The PPS Food Fund is a collaboration of the Foundation for PPS and Food Fuels Learning (FFL) and is made possible through generous donations by the community. The PPS Food Fund was established to provide community members the opportunity to invest in grassroots, school-based projects that build food security for PPS students and their families.

UPDATE: The fund has temporarily shifted its typical granting model to address emergency food security needs for PPS students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to Donate

A secure online contribution can be made at:
https://foundationforpps.kindful.com
In the select a campaign drop down menu, please choose: PPS Food Fund.
(Please note – all contributions made online are assessed a fee from the payment processor (Stripe.) This will decrease the amount of your gift by about 3 percent.)

Checks should be made payable to:
Foundation for Portland Public Schools (or FPPS)
353 Cumberland Avenue
Portland, ME 04101
Attn: Jeanine Bischoff
In the memo line, please write:
PPS Food Fund

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Food Fund Grant Awardees 2019

The Portland Public Schools (PPS) Food Fund gives community members the opportunity to invest in projects that build food security for PPS students and their families. Food Fuels Learning (FFL), with support from Superintendent Botana, began raising money for the Food Fund early this year. It just completed its first round of Food Fund mini-grants, which went to three inspiring school-based projects. 

• “Stocking The King Food Pantry” received $400 to ensure food insecure students have consistent, reliable access to nutritious food. 
• “Garden Education Supplies and Materials,” received $300 to provide teachers at Riverton School with lesson kits on gardening and the resulting nourishing food for their students. 
• “Friday Food Partner Program,” received $200 which will allow the food pantry at Casco Bay High School to purchase a cart for storing and distributing food to students and families. 

In addition to those awarded funding, Food Fuels Learning provided direct support to all Food Fund applicants through connection to community resources and facilitating network building. This included facilitating introductions with vital service providers such as Wayside Food Programs, Cooking Matters, The Locker Project, Cultivating Community, SNAP-Ed, and Let’s Go! 5210. The result was that each requester for funding was able to access resources to address the needs expressed in their proposal.

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Apply for a Food Fund Grant 

What is the Food Fund?
Hosted by the Foundation for Portland Public Schools and made possible with donations from the community, the fund builds food security for Portland Public Schools (PPS) students with investments determined by Food Fuels Learning (FFL). It is intended to support comprehensive food access for families most vulnerable to food insecurity within the school food system. 

How do I know if I can apply?
All applicants must illustrate that the proposed project: 

• Bolsters the food security of PPS students
• ​Advances at least one, but preferably more, recommendation(s) from the ‘Food Fuels Learning: A Portland Public Schools Food Security Needs Assessment.' For a complete list of recommendations, please see the list attached to the end of the Request for Proposals (RFP)
• Has a letter of support from the principal(s)
• Has adequate school community support for implementation (e.g., parents, staff, teachers have the capacity to perform proposed project)
• ​Demonstrates willingness to participate in the FFL Network (e.g., attend Quarterly Reports, action group meetings, join mailing list)

How much money could I get for my project?
For projects that benefit one school grants will given out in the $100 - $400 range. For collaborative projects (multi-school) grants will be given in the $100 - $1,500 range. 

What is the timeline for applying and getting funding? 
Release of RFP                 September 16 
Proposal Due Date          October 30
Proposal Review               November 2 - November 13
Grantees Announced      November 20
Grants Distributed            December 1
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Before applying, please carefully read the Request for Proposals below. If you still have questions after reading that document, please contact info@ccfoodsecurity.org. 

Request for Proposals