In January 2024, Food Banks Canada officially launched the National Standards of Excellence. Food Banks Canada Standards of Excellence is the framework that will set the foundation for the network to thrive. The standards cover six key areas regarded as fundamental to enable the food banking network’s proficiency to provide the best service delivery to communities, these include:

1. Governance & Administration 
2. People Management 
3. Financial & Legal 
4. Client Service & Care
5. Public Engagement & Fundraising
6. Food Operations & Food Safety

You can review the Standards of Excellence and Program FAQs or log in to Workplace to watch the introductory webinar. 

Food Banks Canada is excited to launch the 2024 Standards of Excellence Grant - Round 3 which will support the Network as you work towards meeting the Standards of Excellence.  Food banks that apply for funding are expected to be working towards meeting the Standards. 

Eligibility

The 2024 Standards of Excellence Grant - Round 3 is open to Food Banks Canada’s food bank network, including:

• Affiliate food banks (member of a provincial association)
• Provincial Associations

For a list of affiliate food banks, search here: Find a Food Bank.

• Organizations applying for a grant may only submit one application for funds. 
• Applications from organizations that have outstanding grant reports due to Food Banks Canada will not be considered until those reports are received and reviewed.
• To be eligible, organizations applying for a grant must have at least one person on staff or a volunteer who has completed safe food handling training by a recognized source (e.g. public health, Food Banks Canada, etc.)

2024 Standards of Excellence Grant_Round 3 - Objective

• To support Food Bank Canada’s network of food banks to become accredited by March 2025 

Eligible Expenses include the following:

• Technology, equipment, and consulting
• Extra hours for staff. However, current staff hours are not eligible
• Other types of expenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure they clearly support compliance with the standards.
• You may also charge up to 10% administrative costs
•  For Provincial Associations, funds can be requested for activities that enhance members’ ability to adopt standards and become accredited 

Expenses not eligible for funding:

• Rent/hydro/utilities 
• Food or other consumable purchases 
• Existing staff time 
• Previously incurred expenses or losses resulting from previous projects 
• Financial commitments that last longer than the term of the project 
• Funds cannot be used for re-granting
• Funding for current operations or projects are not eligible

Fund Amount

There is no maximum grant amount however funds will be allocated to maximize the impact of the funding. The goal is to support as many organizations as possible to make progress toward meeting the standards. 

How to Apply

Please apply online through the Food Banks Canada grant portal at 

https://foodbankscanada.smapply.ca/prog/2024_standards_of_excellence_grant_-_round_3

Applications will not be accepted after October 25, 2024.

The application form will require the following information:

• Description of the purpose of the funding including how it will support your organization to meet specific standards. Please be as specific as possible when making requests.  
• A detailed budget is also required, for requests including equipment and or services costing more than $1000 you are required to include estimates/quotes.
• If you are requesting the services of a consultant, you are required to submit a scope of work document that outlines the work to be performed as well as the expected deliverable. A draft template can be downloaded here. This should only be used as a guide. 
• For consultancies $20,000 and over, two written quotes from service providers are required. 
• Once you have submitted your online application, you will receive an acknowledgment email. Your application will be reviewed, and you will be contacted by email with the funding decision.
• You can review an example of a completed application here.

Note: We encourage food banks that support marginalized communities, specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour to apply. (Food Banks Canada’s EDI granting principles)

Timeline

Note: The final report will only require a summary of how the funds were spent.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please contact us at standards@foodbankscanada.ca