Grant Application FAQs

Nutrition Access Grant Program Logo

Below you will find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the program, the application process, and the criteria by which the winners are selected. On our web page you’ll find a second document: a list of the actual questions that are part of the online application. If you have any questions that you cannot find the answers to in this document, you can contact AAMA staff at info@ourmayors.org.

Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

  • Applying cities must be an AAMA member-mayor city (confirmation provided by AAMA financial records)
    • Cities with a population greater than 250,000 people are eligible for the grant at $200,000
    • Cities with a population between 100,000 and 250,000 people are eligible for the grants at $125,000 each 
    • Cities with a population less than 100,000 people are eligible for the grant at $75,000
  • Applications must be made through the mayor’s office but can be a program that is solely managed within a city or county agency or is a partnership between the city and a local non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.

How many awards will be given and what are the award amounts?

Awards will be given in three population categories: Small City (less than 100,000), Medium City (100,000 – 250,000) and Large City (greater than 250,000).There are a total of four grants that will be awarded. One(1) for Small City,two(2) for Medium City and one(1) for Large City.

Small City Grant (1 Award) Medium City Grant (2 Awards) Large City Grant (1 Award)
$75,000 $125,000 $200,000

What types of programs are eligible for funding?

Programs must demonstrate measurable progress in increasing access to affordable basic nutritional needs (for example, community gardens, mobile veggie and fruit stands, food security programs, etc.).

Overall, the grant program focuses on eliminating gaps in health disparities. Thus, each application’s program should focus on nutrition access, affordability, and education. The programs should seek to serve those at the root of health disparities. Each program should address at least one, but not limited to the following:

  • Lack of access to affordable nutritional foods and food deserts;
  • Lack of access to quality nutrition education;
  • Lack of access to vital resources to help families make healthier decisions; or
  • Lack of access to affordable basic nutritional needs.

Finally, this list is meant to be suggestive, rather than exhaustive. If you would like to propose a program that you do not see specifically mentioned here, and you are wondering whether it might be eligible for funding, please do not hesitate to contact us.

How many applications may be submitted by a single city?

There is no limit to how many applications may be submitted by a city.

If the Mayor believes that there are two or more programs that are worthy of support, then the Mayor may submit (or allow to be submitted on the member Mayor's behalf) an application for each of those programs. Again, as long as each application is submitted on behalf of a member Mayor, it is eligible for consideration. Each application will be judged on its individual merits.

What are the criteria by which our application(s) will be judged?

The criteria by which your application will be evaluated are broad and may include:

  • The extent to which the applicant makes a compelling case for the need for the proposed program.
  • The extent to which the proposed strategies/interventions have the potential to effectively address the need(s) outlined by the applicant.
  • The extent to which the proposed strategies/interventions approach the need(s) outlined by the applicant in a novel, creative or compelling way.
  • The organizational capacity of the applicant to successfully implement the proposed program.
  • The methods by which the applicant proposes to measure/evaluate program outcomes.
  • As previously stated, the role and level of involvement of the Mayor in the proposed program.
  • The extent to which the proposed budget expenditures are consistent with the interventions/activities proposed as part of the program.
  • The potential for the proposed program to sustain itself beyond the support provided by this award.
  • The potential for the proposed program to be replicated and be successful in other communities.

Who are the judges?

A selected panel of judges will review applications

What is the deadline to submit the application?

The application deadline is Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST

Where do I submit my application?

Only applications submitted through the online application will be accepted. We will not accept mailed hard copies of applications, or applications submitted via email, fax, or any other method.

How can I confirm that our application was received? Can I print a copy of my application?

Once you submit your application, a confirmation email will automatically be generated and sent to the contact(s) listed on your application. We suggest you save a final version of your application for your records.

When will we know whether our application has been selected to receive an award?

The winners of the 2022 Awards will be announced during the AAMA Conference 2023 (scheduled for April 2023). The winners will have been contacted in advance by AAMA staff by December 15, 2022. We will make every effort to notify all applicants of their status by then; however, if you have not received a notice by January 2023, you may take that as confirmation that your application has not been selected for a grant, unless we directly communicate otherwise.

Our application was not selected for an award. Can you provide any feedback on how we could have strengthened our application?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback on individual applications. However, AAMA will periodically host a webinar on the grant program that may provide information that may be useful to all applicants. Notice for these webinars will be provided to all AAMA Member Mayors and past applicant contacts.

I have a question that's not listed here. How can I get it answered?

Contact us at info@ourmayors.org or visit the award page on our website. 

 

When will the city receive the funding from the grant?

All funds will be sent in the month April prior to the AAMA Conference (April 19-21,2023).