Full Lives: Supporting Growers & Connecting Markets

View the Full RFP | Download the Application Template | Log in to the Grants Portal

FULL LIVES OVERVIEW

Part food security innovation and part economic incubator, Full Lives is a regional initiative that strives to not only increase access to healthy food but also create jobs and promote healthy communities throughout the Greater Twin Cities.

For more about Full Lives, visit our website.  

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Full Lives Phase 2 aims to expand availability and accessibility of locally grown foods by enhancing market access, improving distribution mechanisms, and strengthening infrastructure for small and emerging farmers across the 9-county Twin Cities metro region. This phase of the Full Lives initiative responds directly to persistent systemic barriers in the regional food system experienced by small growers — especially BIPOC, immigrant, and women farmers — including limited access to markets (retail, wholesale and direct-to-consumer), lack of infrastructure, and transportation challenges. View the full RFP.

Full Lives Phase 2 will advance the following focus areas:  

• Expand Market Access and Business Development Opportunities for Small and Emerging Growers
• Strengthen Local Food Distribution Infrastructure and Coordination

Full Lives Phase 2 will fund organizations working to strengthen local food distribution systems and expand equitable market access for small and emerging farmers across the Greater Twin Cities region. Priority will be given to proposals that address both sides of the farm-to-market pathway: how food moves, and where it goes.

Applicants are not required to address every priority below, but proposals should clearly demonstrate how their work contributes to a stronger, more coordinated local food distribution and market access ecosystem.

• Racial Justice, Equity, and Inclusivity, including Rural Communities
• Integration of Two RFP Focus Areas
• Community-Led Initiatives
• Strategic Partnerships

KEY DATES FOR APPLICANTS

Applications are due by May 29, 2026, at 5:00 pm CST in our Grants Portal. Please note that any questions need to be submitted to RFP@gtcuw.org before 11:00 am that day.

FUNDING ELIGIBILITY

Organizations must meet the following requirements to apply:

• Your organization or lead organization (for partnerships) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or has an established fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3).
• Your organization's current fiscal year budget is at least $250,000.
• Organizations must operate within the Greater Twin Cities United Way nine-county service region (Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Washington).

Important Note on Financial Review: Your organization (or lead organization for partnerships) must meet the financial standards for Greater Twin Cities United Way funded partners based on a review of financial documents such as your most recent financial statements, Form 990, and audit (if your organization is required by law to complete an audit) to receive funding. Organizations required to complete an audit are strongly encouraged to demonstrate a “clean” (unqualified) audit opinion to be considered for funding under this RFP. You will be asked to upload financial documents as part of the application. Please note: Organizations are eligible to receive a maximum grant size of up to 20% of their overall organizational budget

If your organization is not a 501c3 or does not have a budget of at least $250,000, please consider utilizing a fiscal sponsor who meets all eligibility requirements, and would receive and manage grant funds on behalf of the project and take on legal and administrative responsibilities like financial management and reporting. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Non-profit organizations applying for this RFP must submit an online application by 5:00 pm CST on May 29, 2026.

IMPORTANT: In order to access this RFP, please use one of the following sets of directions:

To Sign Up as a New User of the GTCUW Grants Portal:

1. Check to see if you have an existing account by entering your work email as your username and your password. If your email is recognized and you need a new password, click Forgot User ID or Password? If your email is not recognized and you need to create an account, proceed to step 2.
2. If you need to create an account, fill out this form to get started. It may take our team 3 business days to get your account up and running. You can also use this form to sign up to receive access to any open GTCUW RFPs. If you already have an account, please refer to the next set of directions for Current Users on how to receive access to open GTCUW RFPs.
3. Once your account has been created, you will receive an automated email from RFP@gtcuw.org directing you to log in to your Grants Portal account.
4. After creating your account, you can log in here. You may want to bookmark this page for future use.

For Current Users, How to Sign up to Access Open GTCUW RFPs:

1. Log in to your online grants portal account. If you don’t have a login, refer to the above instructions on creating one.
2. First check if you already have access to your desired RFP(s).
   • After logging in to your grants portal account, navigate to the Applications/Reports tab at the top of the web page to check which RFPs you currently have access to.
3. If you don’t see your desired RFP(s) available in the Applications/Reports tab, navigate to the Sign Up for Open RFPs tab and sign up for the Full Lives RFP. It may take our team 3 business days to process this request and for you to see the requested RFP(s) in your Applications/Reports tab.

Please refer to our info sheet for further details on how to navigate your Grants Portal account, and reach out to RFP@gtcuw.org with any questions.

The application process consists of two phases: 

Written Application: All applicants will submit a written application in their online Grants Portal. To make applications easier to draft, we are providing a Word template of the application. However, applicants MUST submit their application information in their online Grants Portal. A project budget will also be submitted; letter(s) of commitment from any partner(s) listed in the application are also required. Applications will be scored by a team of Greater Twin Cities United Way staff and community reviewers with knowledge of community food systems against an evaluation rubric.

Virtual Conversation: Top-scoring collaborations will be invited to participate in a virtual conversation to talk more about their work and learn more about the Full Lives initiative. Prior to these calls, detailed agendas, discussion points, and insights into the selection process will be provided to ensure transparency and facilitate productive discussions.

APPLICATION RESOURCES AND OTHER QUESTIONS

During the application period, Greater Twin Cities United Way staff are available to answer your questions and assist with your application.  

• The Full Lives Team will hold a live Q&A session on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, which you can register for here. We will also upload the video recording of the session and the slide deck to the landing page following the session.
• If you’d like to sign up for a meeting with the Full Lives Team to discuss potential project proposals, you can use the Bookings links below. Please note that we are unavailable to hold these meetings during the final week of the application period (May 22nd through May 29th).
  • Set up a meeting with the Full Lives Team between April 20^th and May 8^th
  • Set up a meeting with the Full Lives Team between May 11^th and May 21^st
• Please refer to our info sheet for further details on how to navigate your Grants Portal account, and reach out to RFP@gtcuw.org with any questions.
• Please note that when you contact us at RFP@gtcuw.org, a Greater Twin Cities United Way staff person will respond to your question within 3 business days.

Thank you for your interest in this Full Lives funding opportunity. We look forward to learning about your work!