Explore Funding Sources for Food-Related Businesses

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The Funding Sources for Food-Related Businesses is a directory created to support and benefit food-related business. The directory includes sources of local, regional, and national finance opportunities that may be available to producers, distributors, food hubs, and food-related businesses. The directory is a partial listing of what may be available across the United States; some examples may not be a good match with your particular circumstances. Initially informed by a list of funding resources for food-related businesses found on the Food+Tech Connect website, a media and research company building a network for food innovators and entrepreneurs, this listing has been expanded and updated by the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems to help support local food systems.

How to Use the Directory

Use the Search bar below to find funding sources by their title. Alternatively, use the category options below to filter through and find available opportunities for your business. To select multiple options from the dropdown lists: 

  • On a Mac, press and hold the Command key (⌘) while clicking on the desired selections.
  • On a PC, press and hold the Control (CTRL) key while clicking on the desired selections.

Press the Search button to see applicable funding sources.

Funding Amounts. Filter by preferred funding size or amount.
Geographic Location. Filter by regional eligibility for funding.

  • AF Ventures

    AF Ventures is venture capital fund investing for consumer packaged goods.

  • Ben and Jerry’s Foundation, Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program

    The Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program offers project support to nonprofit organizations that strive to commit to the broader goals of social and environmental justice, and sustainable and just food systems.

  • Black Farmer Fund

    The Black Farmer Fund offers loans, grants, and royalty financing to Black farmers, herbalists, distributors, restauranteurs, caterers, composters, and other food-related businesses.

  • Brandjectory

    Brandjectory is a fundraising networking platform that connects early-stage food and beverage consumer packaged goods (CPG) businesses to the food and beverage investment community.

  • Capital Impact Partners

    Capital Impact Partners is a national community development financial institution (CDFI), a non-profit financial institution that offers capital solutions.

  • CDC Small Business Loans

    A non-profit small business lender offering Small Business Administration (SBA) and non-SBA loans accompanied by business advising for customers.

  • CircleUp

    CircleUp is a crowdfunding platform connecting accredited investors with innovative consumer and retail companies. 

  • Clif Family Foundation

    Clif Family Foundation offers small grants for general organizational support or specific projects.

  • Credibles

    Businesses receive crowdfunding in exchange for store credits to their funders (one credit = $1). Continuous funding is also available for working capital, equipment, staff, etc. 

  • Credibly

    Credibly offers small and large loans.

  • Crosshatch

    Crosshatch offers no interest, microloans, annually, to food and farm businesses working expand the local food system.

  • Detroit Development Fund

    Detroit Development Fund’s mission is to improve the quality of life in underserved Detroit neighborhoods and for Detroit residents.

  • Fair Food Fund

    Fair Food Network’s Fair Food Fund provides holistic support—weaving together catalytic capital and wrap- around business assistance.

  • Farm Aid Grant Program

    The Farm Aid Grant Program aims to aid “on-the-ground partners” in the movement to keep farmers producing good food for all. 

  • FedEx Small Business Grant

    The FedEx Small Business Grant offers an annual application for small businesses looking to enhance their business.

  • Food Hatch

    Food Hatch is a food-focused accelerator that provides seed and early stage funding to food-related businesses.

  • FundRazr

    FundRazr is a crowdfunding platform for a variety of campaigns, including small businesses and entrepreneurs. Applicants create a campaign, choose a funding model, and share their story to collect funds.

  • Greenstone Farm Credit Services

    Greenstone Farm Credit Services provides loan programs, financial services, and small grants to the agricultural industry.

  • Grow (Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women)

    Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women is a community development financial institution focused on entrepreneurs at various stages of business ownership.

  • Honeycomb Credit

    Honeycomb Credit is an online loan crowdfunding platform where small businesses borrow funds directly from everyday people, repaying them with interest.

Do you know of a funding source for food-related businesses that we are missing? Does one of the listed funding sources require an update? Let us know by sending an email to Jazmin Bolan-Williamson, Farm and Food Business Coordinator, at bolanwil@msu.edu 

Center for Regional Food Systems

Food System Infrastructure, Planning and Policy

Farm and Food Business Development

Farm to Institution/School