Nutrition Grants

Nutrition grants come in many forms and are available to and from a variety of organizations. Depending on the status of your organization, business or program, you will want to consider federal, government and non-government grants. Information on locating, selecting and writing grants is readily available online, but the volume may be overwhelming. This article covers the basic information you need to begin pursuing a nutrition grant.

Grants

• A grant is any monetary aid or subsidy provided to an organization by either the government or by a private business or foundation. According to the U.S. government website Grants.gov, federal grants award financial assistance to recipients in order to carry out "a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States." Private sector grants, often provided by corporations, research-oriented societies and charitable or non-profit foundations, are more likely to be driven by the individual organization's business or philanthropic aims.

Categories

• Nutrition grants are available in a number of categories from both government departments and private sector foundations. The United States Department of Agriculture provides a list of nutrition-related grants from both sources, highlighting private grants such as the "Champions for Healthy Kids" program from General Mills and "Love Your Veggies," a produce-rich school lunch initiative from Hidden Valley. In terms of government funding, the Federal Grants Wire notes that there are a total of 40 Food and Nutrition federal grants, government grants and loans available in sub-areas such as Food and Nutrition for Children, Food and Nutrition for Individuals and Families, Food Inspection and Research.

Directories

• Narrow down your search for an appropriate and accessible nutrition grant by first determining which grants are applicable to your organization or to your own individual needs. Government grants are awarded to the following types of organizations: government, education, public housing, non-profits, for-profits, small businesses and individuals. Find a grant in these areas by visiting the Advanced Search page of Grants.gov. For private grants, visit the Fundraising and Grants Directory provided by fundsnetservices.com.

Proposals

• In order to apply for your selected nutrition grants, you must write a grant proposal and fill out an application for each government agency and/or private foundation. An effective grant proposal will address who you are, the details of your project, what you aim to accomplish and how much funding you are asking for. Draft a clear, concise proposal that indicates familiarity with the prospective agency's guidelines and a specific plan for the use of funds.

Assistance

• The USDA offers a webpage devoted to Food and Nutrition demo/pilot grant projects, providing a helpful reference for determining the parameters and potential budgets for nutrition grants. Those who require help writing grant proposals and applications might consider hiring a professional grant writer to assist them in the process. Grantwriting fees vary depending on the writer's expertise and status as a freelancer or member of a consulting firm.