Deadline: 1-Nov-21
The Open Your Heart (OYH) Hunger and Homeless Grant is now open for organizations serving adults, families and youth experiencing homelessness and food insecurity throughout Minnesota.
The primary goal is to ensure that these providers of crisis services have the tools, equipment and infrastructure necessary to best serve those in need. Preference is given to services for people who are currently homeless – on the street or in shelters.
Funding Priorities
- OYH focuses grant making on the front end of the continuum. For agencies serving individuals, families and youth experiencing homelessness, preference is given to services for those who are currently homeless – on the street or in shelters. Transitional housing has lower priority than shelter. Permanent supportive housing programs are unlikely to receive funding.
- Hunger programs must be open and free to all in need. Geographic service boundaries are acceptable, but agencies requiring program participation, membership, purchase of food, attendance / participation in religious service, etc., as a requirement to receive food are unlikely to be funded.
- Infrastructure or equipment for shelters or food shelves must benefit the areas where clients are served. Administrative areas, parking lots, etc., are unlikely to be funded.
- Preference is given to projects that remove barriers, increase the numbers of people served and / or improve the quality of services provided.
Funding Information
- Average Grant Size: $ 7,000
Eligible Activities
- The primary purpose of the Hunger and Homeless Grant is to assist agencies in increasing the number of people served and / or improving the quality of services provided.
- This can be reflected through facility enhancements within areas directly serving those in need such as repair / replacement of HVAC, added shelter beds and increased refrigeration and storage; through activities that remove barriers for homeless youth in their educational pursuits such as program fees, transportation, and activity costs; and through the funding of hotel vouchers, street outreach supplies, and funding towards securing identification.
Eligibility Criteria
- Agencies serving hungry or homeless Minnesotans as the agency’s primary function.
- Agencies serving homeless children and youth (up to 24) in Minnesota.
- Agencies must have 501 (c) 3 status OR be recognized as tax exempt by the IRS (ie schools, units of government or tribal governments) OR use a fiscal agent with 501 (c) 3 status.
- Organizations must not limit service based on individual’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or disability.
- Organizations must have completed the grant closure form for previously awarded grants and returned any unused funds to OYH to be in compliance with OYH grant requirements.
- Agencies with multiple service sites should submit only one application for all sites.
For more information, visit https://oyh.org/grant-programs/