All questions asked were answered to the best of our knowledge based on what is outlined in the RFP. All applicants should refer back to the original application instructions while completing the grant. We encourage all applicants to thoroughly review each line item for accuracy, including your organization details, fully completed forms, and properly submitted information and quotes for each item requested. Please note that all awards are subject to final state approval.
Question: I’m having formatting issues (words populating in multiple places, overriding other sections, etc.) How do I fix this?
Answer: Please re-download the form on the grant page, also linked here, and enter your information into a new document. That will fix the problem.
Questions: Would this grant be considered for use toward an elevator? Is there a time limit for construction?
Our carpets are very old and need to be replaced. Would flooring replacement be considered for a capacity grant?
Answer: No, capital improvements are not allowed. Proposed purchases or projects must align with the purpose and eligibility requirements of the Capacity Building Grant Program as outlined in the RFP. Requests will be reviewed based on their demonstrated connection to strengthening operational capacity, food access, nutrition security, and/or food safety within approved emergency food programs. Applicants should also note that all grant-funded activities and expenditures must be completed by September 30, 2026
Question: Our organization purchases individually prepared meals from local restaurants and delivers them to the food insecure populations within Ocean County. Are prepared meals purchased from restaurant partners considered eligible food purchases in this grant?
Answer: Prepared meals are an acceptable purchase. Keep in mind that any grant-funded purchases must align with the purpose and eligibility requirements outlined in the Capacity Building Grant RFP. Applications involving prepared meals will be reviewed based on how the proposed expense supports emergency food assistance, food access, nutrition security, and the operational goals of the program. Eligibility determinations will be made through the application review process and in accordance with applicable grant requirements and funding restrictions. Applicants should clearly describe the proposed use of funds and the anticipated impact on the populations served. In addition, three quotes from different vendors will still be required as stated in the application guidelines.
Question: Our organization purchases individually prepared meals from local restaurants and delivers them to the food insecure populations within Ocean County. Are prepared meals purchased from restaurant partners considered eligible food purchases in this grant?
Answer: Prepared meals are an acceptable purchase. Keep in mind that any grant-funded purchases must align with the purpose and eligibility requirements outlined in the Capacity Building Grant RFP. Applications involving prepared meals will be reviewed based on how the proposed expense supports emergency food assistance, food access, nutrition security, and the operational goals of the program. Eligibility determinations will be made through the application review process and in accordance with applicable grant requirements and funding restrictions. Applicants should clearly describe the proposed use of funds and the anticipated impact on the populations served. In addition, three quotes from different vendors will still be required as stated in the application guidelines.
Questions: Can we submit more than $10k and if there is more funds we can get funding for more than $10k?
What is the upper limit we may request?
Can we submit a request for a high-value item and contribute whatever the grant does not cover?
Is there a general grant award range or maximum grant award amount for these grants?
Answer: Applicants may request funding amounts exceeding $10,000. The RFP states that most grants are expected to be awarded between $100 and $10,000; however, requests greater than $10,000 will be considered based on the nature of the request and the availability of funds. There is no stated maximum request amount in the RFP.
Applicants may also propose projects whose total cost exceeds the grant amount requested and identify other funding sources or organizational contributions to support the remaining costs.
Requests for equipment or infrastructure improvements that align with the grant objectives, including items such as walk-in freezers, will be evaluated based on their alignment with the grant’s purpose and eligibility requirements, including their demonstrated impact on emergency food programs, food access, nutrition, food safety, and operational capacity. Funding decisions are subject to the application review process and available funding.
Please note that Fulfill may issue full or partial awards. If funding requests exceed available funds, eligible applications may receive funding at a level different from the amount requested.
Question: We have quite a bit of information to include under several of the questions, and as a result, the formatting causes the font to become very small. Would you prefer that we attach a separate document with our responses to the longer questions, or would you rather we keep everything included directly on the application form as it is?
Answer: Applicants may submit supplemental documents if additional space is needed to fully respond to application questions. Any supplemental materials should be clearly labeled and referenced within the corresponding section of the application so reviewers can easily identify and associate the additional information with the relevant question. Applicants are encouraged to ensure all submitted materials are complete and clearly organized.
Question: The “Item Request Chart” in the application contains space for 5 different items. Is it possible to add another sheet and request additional items? Or are we strictly limited to 5 items?
Answer: Applicants are not limited to the five lines provided in the Item Request Chart. If additional space is needed, applicants may submit a separate, clearly labeled attachment that identifies any additional requested items and references the corresponding section of the application. The attachment should provide all information required for review under the RFP.
As outlined in the RFP, applicants must include three price quotes for each requested item, including any items listed in a supplemental attachment. Supplemental materials should be clearly organized and referenced within the application to assist the review process.
Question: Will you consider grow bags and potting mix for funding? We want to give patrons seedlings, and it would be more effective if we can also give them the items needed to grow them.
Answer: The Capacity Building Grant Program is intended to support projects and purchases that strengthen the operational and technical capacity of emergency food programs, including improvements related to food access, nutrition security, food safety, and organizational infrastructure. Requests for items such as grow bags, potting mix, and gardening supplies for distribution to program participants do not align with the stated purpose and eligible uses of funding under this RFP and therefore would not be considered eligible for funding.
Question: If we prepay for food to be delivered in the future, will that payment qualify for this grant? For instance, we could fund our holiday distributions or next season’s farm produce.
Answer: Per the FAQ section of the application, all approved purchases must be purchased, received, and documented by Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Applicants should only request food, items, or equipment that can realistically be received by this deadline.
Questions: Can we submit a grant for an electric pallet jack?
Can we submit a request for a walk-in freezer?
Answer: Yes, this is a piece of equipment for distribution and/or safe storage. These may be considered an eligible request if the applicant demonstrates how the equipment supports the objectives of the Capacity Building Grant Program. In all cases, applications will be evaluated based on their ability to strengthen operational capacity, improve efficiency, enhance food access, support nutrition security, and/or improve food safety within emergency food programs. Applicants should clearly describe the need for the equipment and the anticipated impact on their ability to serve the community. Funding determinations will be made through the application review process and in accordance with the eligibility requirements and available funding outlined in the RFP.
Questions: What data is needed for reporting? Do we need to have our clients sign in and ask for demographics for your reporting purposes?
Answer: No. The Capacity Building Grant Program does not require applicants to collect client demographic information or require clients to sign in for grant reporting purposes.
Applicants should, however, be prepared to report on the outcomes and impact of the funded project. Depending on the nature of the award, reporting may include information such as:
Reporting requirements will be aligned with the approved project and are intended to help demonstrate how the funded activity supported the goals of the Capacity Building Grant Program. Applicants must maintain appropriate records related to grant-funded activities and submit any required reports in accordance with grant requirements.
Question: We have never applied for food grant and would love to buy produce or frozen food for the clients. Is this kind of purchase permitted? How do we get multiple bids for food purchase?
Answer: Yes. Food purchases may be eligible if they support emergency food assistance programs and align with the purpose and requirements of the Capacity Building Grant Program. Applicants should clearly describe how the proposed purchase will support food access, nutrition security, or the capacity of their program to serve food-insecure populations. Funding decisions will be based on the application review process and compliance with grant requirements.
As outlined in the RFP, applicants are required to provide three quotes for requested purchases. For food purchases, quotes may be obtained from a variety of sources, including wholesalers, distributors, grocery stores, warehouse clubs, local businesses, online vendors, or other suppliers. Documentation may include formal quotes, pricing sheets, screenshots, advertisements, or similar materials that clearly show the item and cost. Applicants should refer to the RFP for the specific documentation requirements applicable to their request.
Question: Can the grant be used for toiletries or school supplies?
Answer: No. The Capacity Building Grant Program is intended to fund projects, equipment, technology, infrastructure improvements, and other investments that strengthen the operational capacity of emergency food programs and support food access, nutrition security, and food safety goals as outlined in the RFP. Requests for toiletries, school supplies, or other non-food assistance items do not align with the stated objectives of this funding opportunity and would not be considered eligible expenses. Applicants should refer to the RFP for examples of eligible project types and funding priorities.
Question: For the question, “What is your organization’s current annual emergency food program operating budget, including food and non-food expenses,” should applicants provide the budget for their entire organization or only the portion related to their food program? We have several programs that include daily meals and snacks.
Answer: Applicants should provide their organization’s full annual operating budget, including both programmatic and administrative expenses. This should include food and non-food expenses across the organization. Providing the full organizational budget helps establish the overall operating context of the applicant.
Question: Are food containers eligible for funding under this grant?
Answer: Yes. Food containers may be considered an eligible expense when they support the safe collection, storage, transportation, or distribution of food as part of an emergency food assistance program. Applicants should clearly describe the intended use of the containers and demonstrate how the purchase will support the objectives of the Capacity Building Grant Program, such as improving operational capacity, enhancing food safety, reducing food waste, or increasing the organization’s ability to serve food-insecure populations. Funding determinations will be made through the application review process and in accordance with the eligibility requirements outlined in the RFP.
Question: My application was rejected for being incomplete. Why was it rejected? Can I resubmit it?
Applications are reviewed for completeness upon receipt. As part of this review, Fulfill verifies that all required application components have been submitted, including, but not limited to:
Fulfill reviews applications for completeness and notifies applicants of incomplete applications within two businesses days of receipt. Only complete applications received by the application deadline will be considered for funding. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all application requirements prior to submission to ensure all required information and documentation are included.