Food Security Grants

About This Grant Program – The Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) is dedicated to supporting the vulnerable members of our community, especially in these challenging times of inflation, rising food costs, and decreased government aid. Each year, PCF engages with the community to address new food security challenges as they arise. We prioritize funding for organizations that have a history of assisting food-insecure populations in the greater Pasadena region and that conduct weekly food distributions, serving a minimum of 100 individuals each week.

Grant AmountS – Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Application Period – Applications typically open in the fall of each year. Funding is awarded in December.

Online Application System – Visit PCF’s online application system.

GEOGRAPHICAL RESTRICTION – The applicant organization must be in and provide significant service to the area defined by the boundaries of the Pasadena Unified School District (Pasadena, Altadena & Sierra Madre) and adjacent natural areas.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Grants may be made only to tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)3 or 170(c)(1) or (2)(b) of the Internal Revenue code. None shall be made to Private Foundations under Section 509 (1) of the Code.
An organization must have been in existence for at least two years (based on the date of IRS determination letter) and have achieved a record of effective service and sustainability.
All previous grants have to be completed. A grantee with an “open grant” will be ineligible for new funding. Grantees who have not complied with previous grant deadlines and reporting or submission of receipts may not be eligible for new grant consideration.
Organizations seeking funding from the Pasadena Community Foundation may only receive ONE grant per calendar year, not per cycle. For 2024 grant cycles, organizations may only receive ONE of the following: Food Security or Animal Welfare or Capital or Senior or Vista Nova Grants.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY – The Pasadena Community Foundation does not make grants from its discretionary funds to organizations that discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, age, color, gender identity, marital or parental status, military service, national origin, physical or mental ability, political affiliation, sexual orientation or religion.

THE FOUNDATION WILL NOT MAKE GRANTS FOR OR TO THE FOLLOWING:

Direct aid to individuals
Influencing legislation or elections
Sectarian religious organizations or churches. PCF will, however, consider requests from sectarian religious organizations for support of community social service-oriented activities sponsored by such organizations, provided that such activities meet all other eligibility requirements.
Agencies not engaged in the actual performance of direct services to individuals consistent with Pasadena Community Foundation purposes.
As stated in our Nondiscrimination Policy, the Foundation does not make grants from its discretionary funds to organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion.
Building improvements on leased property
PCF typically will not invest in building improvements to property not owned by the non-profit applicant organization. Some exceptions may be made at the discretion of the board to property owned by the city or school districts or other public entity or for an exceptionally long-term lease arrangement.

GRANT RECOGNITION GUIDELINES — Agencies are asked to meet PCF’s Grant Recognition Guidelines. We encourage the use of Pasadena-area vendors when appropriate.