FAQs / Omicron Crisis Funding – January 2022

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT EMAILS FROM CRFSF
Emails from CRFSF related to your application will come from one of two email addresses: foodsystem@freshtaste.org or “Forefront <administrator@grantinterface.com>”. You may want to add the addresses to your address book.  If you have any questions about your application or the online application system, email foodsystem@freshtaste.org. The Forefront email address listed above is unmonitored.

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION

  • Am I eligible to apply to the Chicago Region Food System Fund?
  • We’re not a 501(c)(3)—what are our options?
  • How do I apply to the Chicago Region Food System Fund?
  • When can I apply to the Chicago Region Food System Fund? When are applications due?
  • How much can I request? Are the grants for specific projects or for general operating support?
  • We currently have a grant from CRFSF–can we apply again?
  • When will we be notified about a possible grant?
  • Who else has been funded by the Chicago Region Food System Fund?
  • What does BIPOC mean?

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM

  • How do I use the online application system?
  • We’re an organization applying for funding through a fiscal sponsor. How do we register and apply?
  • What if I forgot my username and/or password?
  • I’ve logged in and would like to start a new application. Please help!
  • Can I log out of the online application system and return to my grant request at a later time?
  • Does the online system automatically save my work as I go?
  • I added the wrong document to my grant request or report. How do I remove it and add the correct one?
  • I accidentally started multiple drafts of a grant request. How do I remove the ones I don’t need?
  • How can I be sure I’ve submitted my application?
  • How do I save and download a copy of my application for my records?
  • Are there any manuals or guides to using the online application system?

Am I eligible to apply to the Chicago Region Food System Fund?
The following criteria determine your eligibility to apply to the Fund:

  • Only 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscal sponsors are eligible to apply.
  • There are loose geographic restrictions. The Chicago Region Food Fund focuses on an area roughly 200 miles from Chicago. Tribal nations located more than 200 miles from Chicago are eligible to apply if the Chicago region is part of their market.  
  • In Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, funding consideration includes nonprofits working with: urban and peri-urban farmers; food hubs/cooperatives; farmers markets; community organizations with close ties to informal community associations; food businesses (processors, distributors, slaughterhouses, retail, restaurants, institutional providers); food chain workers impacted by COVID or at a high-risk of contracting the virus; emergency food system organizations integrating local food; and wasted food projects.
  • Funding consideration in other regions of Illinois, southeast Wisconsin, northwest Indiana, and southwest Michigan is for nonprofits working with rural farmers, food aggregation hubs, and food processors that include the Chicago metropolitan area as part of their market. This includes nonprofits supporting food chain workers impacted by COVID-19 or at high risk of contracting the virus. Tribal nations and indigenous peoples’ organizations that prioritize the Chicago region as part of a food sovereignty strategy will also be considered.

If you’re uncertain as to whether you qualify, email us at foodsystem@freshtaste.org.

We’re not a 501(c)(3)—what are our options?
The CRFSF can only fund 501(c)(3) organizations. However, organizations that lack that status may engage in projects in two ways:

  • Community associations such as block clubs or emerging projects that have not yet secured nonprofit status may partner with established non-profits that can support the work as a program expense or through a fiscal sponsorship relationship.
  • Food system businesses may execute project work through a vendor contract with a 501(c)(3) organization. The 501(c)(3) must be the applicant to the Fund.

If you’re uncertain whether you qualify, please email us at foodsystem@freshtaste.org.

How do I apply to the Chicago Region Food System Fund?
Click this link to the new online application system. You can read more about the new system in the FAQs below, including specific information pertaining to returning users. Once you’ve registered to create an account, you’ll fill out and submit your application online. 

When can I apply to the Chicago Region Food System Fund? When are applications due?
The online application system opened on January 25, 2022. Applications must be submitted by February 14, 2022, 11:59 p.m. CT.

How much can I request? Are the grants for specific projects or for general operating support?
This round offers grants of $25,000.  All grants are for general operating support, and the grant period will be for six months. In addition to basic organizational information, the application consists of one question: Briefly describe how your organization would use $25,000 in the next six month to address hunger and/or food business disruption (including impacts on workers) resulting from the Omicron surge. (Character limit 1500)

We currently have a grant from CRFSF–can we apply again?
Yes, any recipient of past CRFSF funding, including regranted funds, may apply.

When will we be notified about a possible grant?
We anticipate that decisions will be made, and grantees notified, in early March 2022.

Who else has been funded by the Chicago Region Food System Fund?
Since June 2020, the Fund has awarded grants totaling $8.4M to 105 non-profit organizations. Learn more about previous CRFSF grants here and here or by visiting the grantee section of the home page.

What does BIPOC mean?
BIPOC is an acronym that stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. You can learn more about the history and usage of BIPOC here and here.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM

How do I use the online application system?

  • If you are a previous applicant or grantee—CRFSF is in the process of transitioning to a new online application system. If you previously applied to CRFSF, please create a new account to apply for this round of funding. We think you’ll like the new online application system! We’ll export information from the old system to the new once the transition is completed. Thanks for your patience.
  • If this is your first time applying for a grant from CRFSF, go to the online application system, create a new account, and set up your password.

When you set up your account, you’ll see a screen with information about the confirmation email sent to you from “Forefront <administrator@grantinterface.com>” and how to ensure you’ve received it.

We’re an organization applying for funding through a fiscal sponsor. How do we register and apply?
The registration form includes fields for providing your fiscal sponsor information. You will list your organization and include the fiscal sponsor in parentheses. For example: Fresh Taste (Forefront).

What if I forgot my username and/or password?
If you don’t know your password, please select the reset password link on the login screen. Your username is the email you used to create your account. If you don’t know which email you used, contact foodsystem@freshtaste.org.

I’ve logged in and would like to start a new application. Please help!
After logging in, you can start a new application by selecting “Apply” in the upper menu next to the Forefront logo. Look for the CRFSF January Omicron Crisis Funding Application and select the “Apply” button on the right side.

Can I log out of the online application system and return to my grant request at a later time?
Yes – just remember to save your draft request in the bottom right-hand corner of the application. Once saved, you can return at any time to complete your request by looking for your draft in the “Active Requests” section. Look for the “Edit Application” link to the right. Please do not begin a separate application every time you log in.

Does the online system automatically save my work as I go?
The system autosaves each time you click into a new question, but if you are not ready to submit your application it is advisable to save your work before logging out to ensure no information is lost. This is done by selecting the “Save” button in the bottom right-hand corner. Some applicants find that it’s easier to type out answers in a separate Word document and then copy/paste into the online system before submitting.

Example of Save and Submit buttons
Example of the “Save” and “Submit” buttons

I added the wrong document to my grant request or report. How do I remove it and add the correct one?
If you’re still in draft form, you can remove the attachment and reattach different documents. If you notice an error after you have submitted your application, please email foodsystem@freshtaste.org to let us know, and we’ll work with you on the correction.

I accidentally started multiple drafts of a grant request. How do I remove the ones I don’t need?
To edit drafts you have already started, click Edit next to the draft on your dashboard rather than returning to the Apply page and starting over. To avoid starting multiple requests in the future, please check your active requests folder before beginning a new request and be sure to save your request as you go. 

How can I be sure I’ve submitted my application?
First, when you’re done editing, always “Save” your request using the button at the bottom. Saving ensures you can return to our application and continue editing. When your application is complete, be sure to click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page. Once you submit, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You can also log into the online application system, look to the “Active Requests” section. A submitted application will have a link that says “View” rather than “Edit.”

How do I save and download a copy of my application for my records?
While you are logged-in and viewing your application look for the “Application Packet” button and follow the instructions.

Example of Application Packet button

Are there any manuals or guides to using the online application system?
For all other questions and assistance with the online application system not answered above, visit these links: