FUNDRAISING RESOURCES

How to fundraise for Food banks and food aid organizations?

Food banks play a crucial role in addressing hunger. This guide offers proven fundraising ideas, grants, and corporate partners, showcasing deep expertise in aiding food aid organizations.

Top 5 grants for Food banks and food aid organizations nonprofits in 2025

Unlock funding for your nonprofit with grants designed for Food banks and food aid organizations. Explore government, foundation, and corporate grants to expand your impact.

Walmart Local Community Grants

Walmart Foundation

$250 to $5,000

Foundation

Grants for nonprofits serving local communities, including food banks. Applications accepted from March 10 – April 15, 2025.

Apply

Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Up to $400,000

Government

Grants for community-based food projects that help promote self-sufficiency and food security in low-income communities. Expected application deadline: May 2025.

Apply

Food Love Grants

Popeyes Foundation

$1,000 to $60,000+

Foundation

Grants for nonprofits serving food to those in need. 2025 grantees to be notified by June 30, 2025, implying a spring application period.

Apply

Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Not specified

Government

Grants for community-based programs, including food security initiatives. Tentative due date for 2025: May (exact date to be announced).

Apply

Second Harvest Food Bank Grant Program

Second Harvest Food Bank

Varies

Foundation

Grants for partner agencies to support food distribution programs. Application period typically opens in spring (March-May).

Apply

Top 5 companies donating to Food banks and food aid organizations nonprofits in 2025

Partner with businesses that share your mission! Corporate sponsorships can provide funding, in-kind donations, and visibility to help your nonprofit expand and sustain Food banks and food aid organizations efforts.

Food Security
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Top 5 best fundraising platforms for Food banks and food aid organizations

PayPal Logo
DonorBox Logo
Transaction fees
0%

2.2% + $0.30 per transaction; 0.8% for ACH payments*

2.9% + $0.30 per donation

Average processing fee: 0.95% and $.29/transaction

2.4% + $0.30 per transaction for Visa/MC/Disc; 3.95% + $0.30 for AmEx; 1.3% + $0.30 for ACH

Platform fees
$0
1% to 4%, depending on feature usage
No platform fees. Similar to Zeffy, GoFundMe relies on voluntary “tips” from donors to cover platform fees for nonprofits.
Not publicly disclosed
No platform fees for most plans; 1% applies for 'Optional Tips Disabled' on Starter Plan
Monthly fees
$0 / month
Starting at $299/month*
No monthly fees
Essential: $79/month and Accelerate: $119/month
Starting at $0/month ($259/month for higher plans)
Value for money
Capterra ratings
4.9 / 5
3.9/5
4.1/5
4.3/5
4.5/5
Ease-of-use
Capterra ratings
4.8 / 5
4.3/5
4.2/5
4.5/5
4.6/5
Quality of support
4.9 / 5
4.3/5
3.9/5
4.6/5
4.6/5

The only 100% free
fundraising platform
for nonprofits

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10 Best fundraising ideas for Food banks and food aid organizations in 2025

Innovative fundraising fuels your mission. From peer-to-peer campaigns to community events, explore creative ways to raise funds and ensure long-term success for your Food banks and food aid organizations.

1

Virtual Food Drive Challenge

Launch a gamified virtual food drive where donors can fill a digital shopping cart with essential food items. Each item has a monetary value, and donors compete to fill the most carts. Use social media to amplify reach and create friendly competition between individuals or teams.

2

Empty Plate Gala

Host an upscale dinner event where guests are initially served empty plates, symbolizing hunger. Throughout the evening, plates are filled as fundraising goals are met. Feature local chefs, celebrity speakers, and interactive displays showcasing the impact of food aid.

3

Community Cookbook Campaign

Create a digital and print cookbook featuring recipes from local chefs, celebrities, and community members. Include stories about food insecurity and the impact of donations. Sell the cookbook online and through local businesses, with proceeds supporting the food bank.

4

Grocery Store Round-Up Partnership

Collaborate with local grocery chains to implement a round-up program at checkout. Customers can opt to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar, with the difference donated to the food bank. Provide in-store signage and train cashiers to promote the program.

5

Hunger Awareness AR Experience

Develop an augmented reality app that allows users to visualize the impact of food insecurity in their community. Users can 'scan' their surroundings to see virtual representations of hunger statistics and make in-app donations to support specific initiatives.

6

Monthly Meal Subscription Box

Launch a subscription-based meal kit service where customers receive ingredients and recipes for nutritious meals. For each box sold, donate a meal to a family in need. Partner with local farms and food producers to source ingredients.

7

Corporate Hunger Games

Organize a city-wide competition where corporate teams participate in food-themed challenges (e.g., canned food sculpture contest, speed sorting of donations). Teams fundraise to enter and compete for a grand prize, with all proceeds benefiting the food bank.

8

Scan to Feed QR Campaign

Place QR codes on public transportation, billboards, and local businesses. When scanned, users are directed to a mobile-optimized page where they can quickly donate a specific meal amount (e.g., $5 for a family dinner). Use geotargeting to show the impact in the user's local area.

9

Empty Fridge Photo Challenge

Launch a social media campaign encouraging participants to share photos of their empty fridge, symbolizing food insecurity. For each post with a specific hashtag, corporate sponsors donate a set amount to the food bank. Provide educational content about hunger alongside the challenge.

10

AI-Powered Donation Matching Platform

Develop an AI-driven platform that matches donors with specific food bank needs in real-time. The system analyzes inventory levels, nutritional requirements, and donor preferences to suggest optimal donations. Gamify the experience with achievement badges and impact visualizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

<div ms-code-snippet-q="1">What are the most effective fundraising strategies for food banks in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="1">The most effective fundraising strategies for food banks in 2025 include leveraging digital platforms, implementing monthly giving programs, and focusing on impact-driven storytelling. Online fundraising through social media campaigns and peer-to-peer platforms can significantly expand reach. Establishing a recurring donation program helps create a stable income stream, with many food banks aiming to increase their monthly donor base by 20-30% annually. Demonstrating impact through compelling stories and data visualization engages donors emotionally and intellectually. For example, showing how a $10 monthly donation can provide 30 meals consistently resonates with supporters. Additionally, partnering with local businesses for cause marketing campaigns and organizing virtual food drives can boost visibility and donations. Food banks should also explore grant opportunities and corporate partnerships to diversify their funding sources.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="2">How can food banks increase online donations and digital engagement?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="2">To increase online donations and digital engagement, food banks should optimize their websites for mobile devices, streamline the donation process, and leverage social media platforms. Implementing a user-friendly, mobile-responsive donation page can increase conversion rates by up to 126%. Utilizing email marketing with personalized content and clear calls-to-action can drive traffic to donation pages. Social media campaigns, especially on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, can raise awareness and encourage donations. Live streaming events or virtual tours of the food bank can provide transparency and foster connection with supporters. Implementing a robust content strategy that includes blog posts, infographics, and video content can improve SEO and attract more potential donors. Additionally, food banks should consider using digital advertising, such as Google Ad Grants, to reach new audiences and retarget previous website visitors.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="3">What are innovative ways for food banks to engage corporate donors and sponsors?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="3">Innovative ways for food banks to engage corporate donors and sponsors include developing customized partnership programs, organizing team-building volunteer events, and creating cause marketing campaigns. Offering tiered sponsorship packages with clear benefits, such as brand visibility and impact reports, can attract diverse corporate support. Virtual food drives allow companies to engage employees in friendly competition while supporting the cause. Implementing a matching gift program can double the impact of employee donations, with some food banks seeing a 20% increase in overall donations through such initiatives. Collaborating on skills-based volunteering projects, such as marketing or logistics consulting, can provide valuable expertise to the food bank while offering meaningful engagement for corporate partners. Food banks can also explore innovative fundraising events like 'CEO Cook-Offs' or 'Corporate Hunger Games' that blend team-building with fundraising in unique, memorable ways.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="4">How can food banks effectively measure and communicate their impact to donors?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="4">Food banks can effectively measure and communicate their impact to donors by implementing robust data collection systems, creating compelling visualizations, and sharing personalized impact stories. Utilizing CRM software to track key metrics such as meals distributed, individuals served, and volunteer hours can provide a comprehensive view of the organization's impact. Translating these metrics into easily digestible infographics or interactive dashboards on the food bank's website can help donors quickly understand the tangible results of their contributions. Sharing individual success stories through various channels, including social media, email newsletters, and annual reports, adds a human element to the data. Implementing a system to track and communicate the long-term outcomes of food assistance, such as improved health or educational outcomes, can demonstrate the broader societal impact. Additionally, providing donors with personalized impact reports showing how their specific contributions have made a difference can increase engagement and retention rates by up to 40%.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="5">What are the best practices for food banks to retain and upgrade monthly donors?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="5">Best practices for food banks to retain and upgrade monthly donors include implementing a robust stewardship program, providing regular impact updates, and offering personalized engagement opportunities. Developing a dedicated communication strategy for monthly donors, with tailored content and exclusive updates, can increase retention rates by up to 30%. Regularly expressing gratitude through personalized thank-you messages, anniversary acknowledgments, and small tokens of appreciation can foster a strong emotional connection. Offering opportunities for donors to increase their impact, such as seasonal matching campaigns or special projects, can encourage upgrades. Implementing a tiered recognition program that acknowledges increased giving levels can motivate donors to step up their support. Utilizing data analytics to identify potential upgrade candidates based on giving history and engagement patterns allows for targeted outreach. Additionally, providing easy options for donors to increase their monthly gift amount, such as an annual 'opt-up' campaign, can result in significant revenue growth for the food bank.</div>