The Office for Equity and Inclusion, in partnership with the Dane County Food Council, is pleased to announce the Partner in Equity (PIE) Food Project Grant. This grant program was created to encourage the development of projects that advance equity and access in local food systems across Dane County. 

Vulnerable populations saw food insecurity and other needs rise during the Covid-19 pandemic. While we continue to respond and recover from the pandemic’s impacts on our local food system, we are looking for projects that will provide the greatest impacts in strengthening our food system and cultivating community engagement and access.

To qualify for the Partners in Equity (PIE) - Food grant, groups must be developing projects that advance equity and access in local food systems in Dane County.  The PIE-Food grant program was created to encourage the innovative development of projects that advance equity and access in local food systems across Dane County through educational and outreach services.

Proposals should address one or more of the following Dane County Food Council (DCFC) goals:

• Increase access to healthy, local, culturally-relevant food
• Strengthen regional agriculture and ease access to land for growing food
• Decrease food waste and loss via recovery and redistribution of good quality rescued foods
• Enhance community voice in local food system development

Questions? Contact the Office for Equity and Inclusion at OEIGrantSubmission@danecounty.gov

Dane County-based community groups or non-profits with a Federal Tax ID number that are working to address one or more of the focus areas listed above and who’ve not previously received PIE Food Project Grant funding. Priority will be given to projects serving Dane County communities outside the city of Madison and those that impact under-resourced or underrepresented communities in Madison.

 Individuals and organizations with smaller projects are especially encouraged to apply.

In 2024, $40,000 is available for PIE Food Project Grants. There are two different application categories:

• Grant A pool will support funding requests up to $2,000
• Grant B pool will support funding requests between $2,001-$4,000.  Note: There are 3 additional questions to complete for applicants applying in the Grant B category,