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

Please review the Standards of Excellence or log in to Workplace to watch the introductory webinar. 

Food Banks Canada is excited to launch the 2025 Standards of Excellence Grant - Round 1 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 2025 Standards of Excellence Grant - Round 1 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.)
• Food banks/Organizations that are accredited by Food Banks Canada will not be eligible to apply for this grant.

2025 Standards of Excellence Grant Round 1 - Objective

• To support Food Bank Canada’s network of food banks to become accredited by March 2026

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.
• A total of 10% administrative costs can be allotted to the grant
•  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
• Current operations costs

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/2025_standards_of_excellence_grant_-_round_1

Applications will not be accepted after Monday June 2, 2025, 5:00 p.m. EDT.

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 commitment to meet the March 2026 Standards of Excellence accreditation deadline.
• A detailed budget is also required for requests including equipment and/or services. Please provide quotes/estimates for purchases of $1,000 or greater.
• If your organization is 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 consultants costing $20,000 and over, two written quotes from services 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