How the GROW Fund Works:

Using the interest generated by our participation in the Cooperative Community Fund, The Food Co-op offers small grants to qualifying, local nonprofits to help them grow a healthy community. The interest for 2026 is $TBD.

Each year The Food Co-op will contribute to our GROW Fund in the following ways:

1. We will add any un-cashed member patronage dividends.

2. We will add any patronage dividends The Food Co-op receives as members of other cooperatives (like National Co+op of Grocers (NCG).

3. Co-op member-owners can also make donations to the fund at the register during the month of October as part of our Change for Change program.

We focus our grant giving to local Jefferson County nonprofits and co-ops that fit within our four pillars of community sharing:

1. Improving food access

2. Sustainable agriculture, land and sea stewardship

3. Healthy kids, families and animals

4. Supporting the cooperative model

Each year on August 1st, we will announce the new cycle, giving nonprofits and cooperatives four weeks to complete a simple grant application to be submitted by August 31st.

Then in mid-September, the applications are reviewed by the Community Engagement Committee (CEC) and a winner selected. 

Their decision is based upon the following criteria: project feasibility, operational need, community need, quality of application, track record and uniqueness. Decisions made by the team are annually announced in October.