Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative Program Support Grants Application Deadline: February 17, 2017, no later than 5 p.m.

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1 Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative Program Support Grants Application Deadline: February 17, 2017, no later than 5 p.m. Mountain Time Grant Overview With the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Agua Fund, First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is now accepting proposals under its Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI). First Nations will award 12 grants of up to $35,000 each to support projects that aim to strengthen local food-system control; increase access to local, healthy and traditional foods; and decrease food insecurity and food deserts, all with an emphasis on serving Native American children and families. Desired projects will noticeably improve a tribe and/or tribal community s effort to increase access to healthy and fresh foods for vulnerable children, families and communities. Additionally, desired projects will help increase awareness of and involvement with where food comes from, and expand knowledge of the linkages between foods, Native cultures and/or contribute to tribal economic growth and development of entrepreneuriallyrelated food ventures. Grant Period The grant period for this funding opportunity will commence March 1, 2017, and end December 31, Grant Award and Ceilings Total requests for project budgets within this funding opportunity should not exceed $35,000. Applicant Eligibility Entities eligible to apply include U.S.-based, Native American-controlled, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal organizations or Native American community-based groups committed to increasing healthy food access in rural and reservation-based Native communities and improving the health and well-being of Native American children and families. In the past, we have supported a variety of innovative projects, including food sovereignty assessments, farmers markets, farm-to-school programs, food co-ops, youth agricultural mentorship projects, and traditional foods projects, to name a few. Priority will be given to projects aimed at increasing the availability of healthy, locally-produced foods in Native communities, reducing food insecurity, increasing entrepreneurship and/or programs that create systemic change by increasing community control of local food systems. Moreover, this project will give priority to

2 organizations that can assist and contribute to the development of emerging and promising practices in strengthening Native food systems. Types of eligible applicants include, but are not limited to: Federal- and State-Recognized Tribal Governments (Tribal Government Programs, such as Tribal Arts Programs, Heritage Departments, Economic Development Entities, etc.) Native-Controlled 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Native-Controlled Community Organizations with Fiscal Sponsorship Native 7871 Organizations Please refer to the FAQ section for further insight regarding applicant eligibility. Application Information All applicants must complete the First Nations online grant application, including submission of necessary attachments, no later than February 17, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. First Nations recognizes that some of our most rural and remote applicants may have limited access to high-speed internet. Any exceptions to use of the online system must be made at least two weeks in advance of the application deadline by submitting an request to Please include your name, organization, contact information, and the name of the RFP for which you are applying. If you do not have access to you can call our office at (303) and ask to speak with a member of the Grantmaking Department. The following attachments must be uploaded during the online submission process: Attachment A: Budget. An estimated budget for the proposed project with a detailed cost breakdown that is reasonable and directly related to proposed grant activities. Include allocation of $3,000 for mandatory training. (Download Budget Template) Attachment B: Timeline. A detailed project timeline that documents important project goals, milestones and benchmarks. Include who will be responsible for the steps and when they will be completed. (Download Implementation Schedule Template) Attachment C: Tax-Status Documentation. A copy of the organization s or fiscal sponsor s IRS Determination Letter if the applicant is a 501(c)(3) organization or a community organization using a fiscal sponsor. Tribal programs and governments may submit proof that they are a federal- or state-recognized tribe. Attachment D: Leadership & Staff List. Native-controlled nonprofits should submit a list of their Board of Directors, with tribal affiliation (if applicable), and key staff. Community organizations with fiscal sponsors should submit a list of their own

3 leadership team (not the fiscal sponsor s), with tribal affiliation (if applicable), and key staff. Tribal programs and governments should submit a list of their Tribal Council in lieu of a Board of Directors. Selection Criteria First Nations seeks projects that meet the spirit of this initiative and have: A clear focus within projects and programs connected to the organization s stated mission Proper alignment with stated funding priorities and eligibility guidelines A clear plan of action with specific, measurable and realistic goals and objectives Logical and sequential development of project or program-implementation timelines Accurate, reasonable and consistent project or program budget Periodic assessment, documentation and dissemination of progress and final results Feasibility, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of proposed projects or programs Sufficient organizational capacity to successfully implement the proposed project or programs Strategic plans for collaborating and forming partnerships Direct engagement of target audiences within the planning, implementation and evaluation process. If selected, organizations must use funding to strengthen local food-system control; increase access to local, healthy and traditional foods; and decrease food insecurity and food deserts, all with an emphasis on serving Native American children and families. Examples of allowable activities under this funding opportunity include, but are not limited to: Community Garden Development Food Sovereignty Initiatives Food System Planning Supply Chain Improvements Grower-Based Education Programs Intergenerational Programs with a Focus on Food Examples of unallowable activities under this funding opportunity include: Conference Sponsorships Scholarships or Tuition Assistance Endowments Development Campaigns

4 Research/Studies (unless they are an integral part of a larger program budget being considered for funding or part of a large community-based project that meets the spirit of this initiative). Funding for Individuals Grant Requirements Evaluation & Reporting: NAFSI grantees will be required to submit two progress reports and one final report. These reports will enable First Nations to (1) gain a further understanding of projects serving the field of local food-system control; access to local, healthy and traditional foods; and food insecurity and food deserts, all with an emphasis on serving Native American children and families; (2) tell grantee stories, including accomplishments, challenges, impact and programming practices; and (3) measure the impact of funding support on grantee programs. Training Events: Two team members from each selected grantee must attend the 2017 Food Sovereignty Summit, a forum for sharing and collaboration to build healthy food systems within tribal communities. The Food Sovereignty Summit will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 2-5, Each applicant must set aside a minimum of $3,000 of their proposed requested funding for two staff members to attend the Food Sovereignty Summit. These funds will be used for travel, lodging and other related expenses. This amount, totaling at least $3,000, must be included in all applicant budgets and within the specified grant ceiling. Technical Assistance and Training: Each selected grantee will be eligible to receive individualized technical assistance and training at no cost to the grantee. First Nations will work with each grantee to develop an individualized technical assistance plan and timeline. More information on this process will be provided after grant selection. Application Q&A First Nations will host two optional question & answer sessions for interested applicants prior to the application deadline. These sessions will provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the application, selection criteria, guidelines or other related questions. Participation is NOT mandatory. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in one or both of the calls. Application Q&A Sessions will be held on: January 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. Mountain Time February 2, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time The telephone call-in number is and the access code is

5 Should you have any additional questions about the RFP or this specific funding opportunity, please contact A-dae Romero-Briones or Tawny Wilson by at or or by phone at