These resources are organized by County in California and listed for the state of Hawaii. They are not all partners of Cal-Pac or endorsed by Cal-Pac, and are provided as a list of places who provide funding and support to food ministries in each area. For more information, contact the funding organization directly.
Churches are often eligible either directly (if they are a 501(c)(3)) or through a fiscal sponsor (Like Cal-Pac or District Union), provided the program serves the broader community without religious requirements.
Grantmakers are most interested in church programs that:
For a church seeking $10,000–$100,000 annually for a feeding program, it is recommended first approaching the local community foundation and food bank in your county, then pursuing larger private foundations. Churches that can document the number of households served, meals distributed, and partnerships with local agencies are generally the most competitive.
If you’re just getting started
For a church-based food ministry, prioritize these opportunities in this order:
Many foundations are particularly interested in programs that:
For a church food ministry, you will want to prioritize:
To be competitive, most funders look for programs that:
If your church is in Riverside County and operates a food pantry, community meal, or other hunger-relief ministry, these are some of the best organizations to approach for funding or program support.
The Inland Empire Community Foundation is one of the largest philanthropic organizations serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. It regularly awards grants to nonprofits addressing food insecurity, poverty, and community well-being through competitive grant programs and special initiatives.
Partnering with Feeding America Riverside and San Bernardino Counties is often the fastest way for a church food ministry to grow. While it is primarily a food bank rather than a traditional grant maker, it provides:
Many funders view a Feeding America partnership as a strength in grant applications.
The Riverside County Emergency Food and Shelter Program distributes federal funding to nonprofit organizations providing emergency food and shelter. Churches may qualify if they:
FIND Food Bank serves eastern Riverside County and partners with many churches. While it primarily distributes food, it also helps partner agencies strengthen operations and access additional funding opportunities.
The IEHP Foundation periodically funds community health initiatives, including nutrition, healthy food access, and programs that address the social determinants of health.
Several donor-advised funds administered through regional community foundations support:
These grants are often in the $5,000–$50,000 range.
Several private family foundations serving the Inland Empire periodically fund church-operated food ministries, including:
If you’re looking for grants in the $10,000–$100,000 range, a combination of an EFSP application, a partnership with Feeding America Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and applications to the Inland Empire Community Foundation provides one of the strongest funding strategies for a church food ministry in Riverside County.
The strongest opportunities include:
Good partnership opportunities
In addition to grants, many churches strengthen their food ministries by partnering with:
These partnerships can provide donated food, volunteers, and operational support in addition to funding opportunities.
For churches seeking $10,000–$100,000, you will want to prioritize:
Successful applications typically demonstrate: