Food Justice For Kids Prize

Eligible programs must primarily serve and/or benefit children under 18.  

We understand that many projects advancing food justice may take a broad approach and serve families, young adults, or whole communities. We welcome these projects as long as children under age 18 are the primary and majority beneficiaries.

“Innovation” doesn’t necessarily mean new technology or a novel approach. Whether rooted in traditional knowledge, adapted from successful models in other communities, or offering a novel approach to persistent challenges, we want to understand what makes your approach unique and its potential impact.

The following types of organizations are eligible to apply for the Food Justice for Kids Prize:
– 501(c)(3) Public Charities
– Federally recognized Tribes
– Indian Tribal governments (IRS, section 7871)
– US public schools, school districts, and schools with 501(c)(3) public charity status
– Governmental entities or affiliated organizations that are eligible to receive 501(c)(3) funding
– Organizations applying via a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Fiscal Sponsor

We welcome applications from all geographies within the United States, including territories—American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands—working at the local, state, or national level.

Please note, we do not fund:
– Organizations that discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disabilities
– Lobbying or political activities
– 501(c)(4) organizations
– Major research projects
– Any commercial business
– Any litigation that is underway, contemplated, or completed, or organizations that use litigation as a primary tool to carry out their mission
– Other private foundations, Type III supporting organizations, or other organizations that require expenditure responsibility by the Foundation
– Direct grants to individuals
– Organizations that do not comply with all laws and regulations, including those related to the USA Patriot Act, Executive Order 13224, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best Practices for U.S. Based Charities. In this regard, the USA Patriot Act prohibits willfully providing funds for terrorism
– Specific religious activities or beliefs, or organizations that require adherence to a specific religion or belief
– Any other organization that does not meet the IRS funding requirements for a private foundation

The Food Justice for Kids Prize supports projects focused on driving sustainable solutions that have the potential to address the root causes of food insecurity in the United States.

While projects may integrate elements of direct access solutions (such as food distribution, meal delivery, or food pantry programs) projects focusing exclusively or primarily on food distribution without a sustainability or systems change component are unlikely to be considered.

Projects that have only reached the idea stage are not a fit for the Food Justice for Kids Prize—projects should have some evidence of impact (see below).

We welcome applications from all geographies within the United States, including territories–American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.

With support from The Henry P. Kendall Foundation, at least 2 of the 14 grants will be awarded to organizations within New England: Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Eligible projects and policy work may focus on nutrition education, school food, or a combination of the two.

We think about school food broadly, including innovative projects that support community-based direct service, ecosystem and community power building, and/or sustainable practices that drive enhanced nutrition education and/or nutritious school food.

Policy work that supports kids learning, cooking, and growing healthy and culturally relevant foods; eating nutritious and culturally relevant school meals and integrating local food in schools; or improving access to school meals is eligible for the Food Justice for Kids Prize.

The Hunger to Health Collaboratory will award up to 2 grants to organizations focused on state or national Nutrition Education & School Food policy work.

Please note that we do not fund lobbying, political activities, or 501(c)(4) organizations.

Projects should be beyond the idea stage and have some evidence of impact—think at least the pilot stage or beyond. This evidence of impact could be quantitative (e.g., surveys) or qualitative (e.g., interviews or focus groups) but should go beyond anecdotal evidence.

If your proposal is mainly focused on an expansion or scaling of a program that is already in process, please be sure to reference existing efforts and how you are building on them.

Organizations that received $50K or more in funding from Newman’s Own Foundation or Humanitix in 2025 are not eligible to apply for the Food Justice for Kids Prize.

All other current or past grantees from Newman’s Own Foundation, Humanitix, The Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and the Hunger to Health Collaboratory are eligible to apply.

We anticipate awarding up to 14 grants:

• Newman’s Own Foundation and Humantix will award up to 5 grants to organizations focused on Indigenous Food Justice and up to 5 grants to organizations focused on Nutrition Education & School Food.
• The Henry P. Kendall Foundation will award up to 2 grants to organizations based in New England in either focus area.
• The Hunger to Health Collaboratory will award up to 2 grants to organizations focused on Nutrition Education & School Food policy projects.

No. Only one grant application will be accepted per organization.

Yes. Grants are awarded as flexible funding and may be used towards operating expenses, including staff salaries, provided the funds are used in alignment with your grant application and are directly related to the program supported by the Food Justice for Kids Prize.

There is no limit if your organization is a 501(c)(3) or other eligible entity—with the exception of fees charged by a fiscal sponsor, in which case the limit is 15% of the total grant amount.

Applications will first be screened by Newman’s Own Foundation staff for eligibility.

We expect up to 100 reviewers representing different communities, lived experiences, issue areas, and sectors will participate in reviewing applications alongside staff from Newman’s Own Foundation, Humanitix, The Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and the Hunger to Health Collaboratory to inform the selection of grant recipients.

Applications will be scored using the following criteria:

Alignment (0-20 points): To what extent does the organization/project focus its work on children under the age of 18 and align with one of the Food Justice for Kids Prize focus areas: Indigenous Food Justice or Nutrition Education & School Food?

Innovative Approach (0-20 points): To what extent does the organization/project offer a unique approach that could improve the status quo with regard to food justice for kids?

Evidence of Impact (0-20 points): To what extent does the organization/project have demonstrable evidence of past impact and/or potential for future impact, in regard to food justice for kids and the selected program focus area?

Community Power (0-20 points): To what extent is the organization/project led by, collaborating with, and building power within the communities it seeks to serve?

Ease of Implementation (0-20 points): To what extent does the organization/project have a realistic plan with clearly defined goals, adequate resources, the right stakeholder engagement, and a clear path to progress?

Total Possible Score: 100 points

Finalists will be invited to interview with a committee of application reviewers. The interview is a chance for the committee to ask questions and better understand your proposal.

We expect interviews will take place virtually the week of August 10, 2026.

As many as 14 Food Justice for Kids Prize grant recipients will receive up to $100K over two years ($50K each in 2026, with the opportunity for an additional grant of up to $50K each in Fall 2027.)  

In addition to the grant, Food Justice for Kids Prize grantee partners will have the opportunity to: 

• Attend the Hunger to Health Collaboratory 2026 Fall Summit in Washington, DC, on October 29, 2026 with travel and lodging expenses covered. 
• Participate in Newman’s Own Foundation’s virtual learning sessions and meet periodically throughout the year with fellow nonprofits, Tribes, schools, and school districts to network, share best practices, and learn.  

“SMARTIE” stands for Strategic, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable. SMARTIE Goals are a strategic way to plan and achieve your objectives.  
 
Download the SMARTIE goals template here. 

Applicants must use the template when creating a budget. Download the budget template here. 

There is no specific formula for how you use the grant funding; we encourage organizations to allocate funds in a way that maximizes impact in alignment with the application. 

We want to be fair to all applicants, so we regret to say we cannot give individual feedback on applications.

To learn more about the Food Justice for Kids Prize, please register for an informational webinar on February 27, 2026, 3:30PM ET or March 25, 2026, 4PM ET

Recordings will be posted here after the event.

Before you get started, learn more about how the JustFund Common Application™ works. As part of your application, your profile information will also be submitted and dated at time of submission.

Please contact JustFund.Us at info@justfund.us with questions related to your submission. Staff are generally available Monday through Friday, 9:00AM–5:00PM ET, and will respond to relevant inquiries in the order they are received.

JustFund also hosts application support webinars twice monthly: Register here.

No. Organizations can apply whether or not they are nominated through the JustFund.Us application portal.

No, nominations are welcome but not required and more nominations do not increase applicants’ chances. Nominations inform organizations of the opportunity to apply.

Yes, feel free to nominate as many eligible organizations as you want!

Hopefully yes, but we recommend you review the Eligibility FAQ above and Official Rules to determine if your organization and project are a fit for the Food Justice for Kids Prize.