United Way East Ontario School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF) – Now Accepting Applications

United Way Northumberland is pleased to announce that United Way East Ontario has been selected by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to receive $1 million funding to further distribute to eligible non-profit organizations within Ontario and Nunavut under AAFC’s School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF). For more details see the AAFC news release.

The SFIF supports not-for-profit organizations to improve infrastructure and equipment for school food programming across Canada.

About the Fund

AAFC’s School Food Infrastructure Fund aims to support the purchase and installation of infrastructure and equipment that increases the capacity of community organizations to produce, process, store, and distribute food for school food programs. It also aims to strengthen community food systems and ensure children have access to nutritious meals they need to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

United Way Northumberland is proud to be one of five United Way chapters in Ontario that will support United Way East Ontario in further distributing funds to eligible not-for-profit organizations.

• United Way Elgin-Middlesex
• United Way Simcoe Muskoka
• United Way Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry
• United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent

Who Can Apply?

Eligible Organizations:

• Applicant must be a registered charity (with its own RR number) or a registered nonprofit organization (OCN BIN).
• Applicant must maintain a volunteer board that meets regularly.
• Applicant must host an Annual General Meeting.
• The applicant must carry sufficient liability insurance (at least $2 million) to cover the program/project seeking United Way funding.
• Applicant must provide financial statements that have been audited by a licensed public accountant.*

*Agencies with revenues under $250,000 may submit reviewed statements in lieu of audited statements. Reviewed statements should also come from a licensed public accountant. 

Ineligible Organizations:

• Municipal or school bodies
• Local governments
• Health authorities
• School boards or schools
• Governmental and quasi-governmental organizations
• Academic and educational institutions
• For-profit entities

Important Notes

• All infrastructure and equipment must have a useful life of at least 2 years after the project completion date
• Administrative costs cannot be charged to this fund
• Applications must include a letter of support/reference from a school board or school
• While applications are submitted through a centralized intake portal, all applications for Northumberland County will be directed to and handled locally by United Way Northumberland
• This ensures local oversight and support throughout the application process

When are Applications Open?

The application period is open from February 12, 2025 and will close on March 19, 2025, at 5pm EST (deadline extended from March 12, 2025). All applications must be submitted through the Agency Portal*. (the portal link can be accessed at the bottom of this page).

 *Note: If your organization has an existing account, an account administrator must add you to their team using the “Manage Organization” button.

 If your organization does not have an existing account, please contact SFIFinfo@unitedwayeo.ca.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Funding decisions will be communicated to applicants by May 1, 2025.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or feel unsure about any part of the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to help!

Please direct inquiries to:

Alicia Vandine
Executive Director
United Way Northumberland
avandine@nuw.unitedway.ca

Or call our office between 8:30am – 4:30pm at 905-372-6955.

Our goal is to support you and ensure the success of your application.