Startup and Expansion Grant for At-Risk Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs

The Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs is offering over $562,000 in Startup and Expansion Grants for At-Risk Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs during the 2025-2027 biennium to support sponsors and partners in enhancing meal access for children in need. These funds are designed to help organizations launch new programs or expand existing ones that provide nutritious meals outside of regular school hours, specifically targeting at-risk communities. The grant opportunity is open to eligible entities and is administered through the state’s procurement system under Solicitation Number S-58100-00015812, with applications due by March 31, 2027. All awardees must operate within Oregon and comply with state and federal child nutrition guidelines. The procurement is managed by the Oregon Department of Education’s Procurement Office located in Salem, with Mary Piper serving as the primary point of contact. Performance of all funded activities must occur within the state of Oregon, and applicants are expected to demonstrate clear plans for program scalability, community impact, and sustainability. While the solicitation does not specify a set-aside for certain categories of applicants, it is open to all qualified SLED organizations and partners aligned with child nutrition goals. Interested parties must submit proposals through the Oregon Buys portal by the stated deadline to be considered for funding.