Funders and Eligibility Guidelines
Eligibility Guidelines
- Operate a food program located within the five boroughs of New York City;
- Have federal 501 (c) (3) status;
- Have been in operation for at least six consecutive months;
- Provide food free of charge to the general public;
- Meet NYC Department of Health requirements (soup kitchens only)
Funders
United Way of New York City
United Way of New York City (UWNYC) works with a coalition of trusted partners to unite community power with citywide possibility. UWNYC supports a network of 400 emergency food providers through grant opportunities throughout the year. Every April we publish the application for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and Nourish NY, which we offer in partnership with the NYS Department of Health. Other opportunities to partner with UWNYC will be posted in Announcements. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.
City Harvest
City Harvest rescues nutritious, high-quality food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it, free of charge, to soup kitchens, food pantries, and other community food programs across the five boroughs. Due to a high level of need within our existing network, we are accepting only a limited number of new agencies. If interested in becoming an agency partner, please complete this form.
Members of City Harvest can access the Harvest Hub. Harvest Hub is the centralized platform for all things City Harvest. You can view your food allocation and schedule there, provide feedback on your food deliveries, communicate directly with your manager, and get access to capacity building resources, grants, and trainings.
Food Bank For New York City
Food Bank provides food and resources to a powerful network of 800 emergency and community food programs across the five boroughs. In addition, the Food Bank offers education and technical support to its network of programs. Although we are not accepting any new member agencies to our network, to learn more, please contact [email protected] or 212-566-7855 ext 1009.
Hunger Prevention And Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and Nourish NY
Food Bank For New York City and United Way of New York City support emergency food providers (food pantries and soup kitchens) with food, operations and equipment grant funding through the New York State Department of Health, Division of Nutrition, Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and Department of Agriculture and Markets Nourish NY. This is an annual grant providers must re-apply for every year. Applications open in April. To learn more, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Community Food Connection (CFC)
NYC Department of Social Services Community Food Connection (CFC) provides food and administrative support to cover utilities, equipment, food service products, office supplies, and personnel to emergency food provider (food pantries and soup kitchens) in order to improve the nutritional status of low-income New Yorkers. Eligible EFP’s may apply throughout the year. For information contact, 929-221-7679
Emergency Food And Shelter Program (EFSP)
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a federal grant program that supports local organizations providing emergency food, shelter, rental and utility arrears assistance to families. In NYC the funding is administered by UWNYC. As of January 2026, the program is on pause as determined by the federal government. Phase 39, ARPAR, 40, and 41 payments are on hold due to the federal funding pause. Phase 42 funding decisions are also on hold until funding is released by FEMA and further guidance is provided by the EFSP National Board. To learn more, please contact the EFSP Local Board Staff at [email protected]