New Advocacy Rapid Response Fund Grants
Over the past few months, HealthSpark Foundation has proudly awarded several Advocacy Rapid Response Fund grants to nonprofit organizations carrying our critical advocacy actions across a range of issue areas.
As shared in October, grants were made to Montco-Anti Hunger Network, Garden of Health, and SPARK Senior Centers of Montgomery County for their key efforts in addressing the SNAP pause.
Earlier, SHARE Food Program received funding to raise awareness about the sudden cut to the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program.
This past fall, we also awarded grants to Reuniting Family Bail Fund for enhancing communications with the immigrant community and Maternity Care Coalition to strengthen their Federal Administration Taskforce.
Read on to learn more about these projects and discover how the Advocacy Rapid Response Fund is making an impact.
SHARE Food Program – Advocacy for Food Justice | $5,000
SHARE Food Program is facing an urgent crisis due to severe federal funding cuts, including the abrupt termination of the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program. These cuts have created a $1.4 million shortfall in their food budget and threaten an $8 million reduction in overall food and resource support, putting critical food access at risk for thousands of vulnerable families, seniors, and children across Montgomery County and the surrounding region. Grant funds will be used to raise awareness about the impact of these cuts on basic needs programs like SNAP, which directly affect SHARE’s operations and the communities they serve. The grant also enables urgent advocacy efforts to bring attention to food justice at the federal level.
Reuniting Family Bail Fund - Storytelling and Information Support for Immigrant Populations | $5,000
Reuniting Family Bail Fund recognizes that timely, accurate, and culturally relevant information can determine whether families remain together or are separated. Yet many important updates never reach affected communities because of language barriers and inconsistent communication channels. This grant will support sharing policy updates, current events, and stories often overlooked by mainstream media, along with information about their impacts on individuals and communities. It will also fund the creation of a coalition uniting immigrant and justice-impacted communities to navigate the justice system together and expand these resources into multiple languages.
Montco-Anti Hunger Network - SNAP Pause Communications and Advocacy Initiative | $5,000
MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN) strengthens Montgomery County, PA’s food safety net by coordinating and supporting the efforts of food pantries and free meal providers. In response to the threat against SNAP, MAHN is taking swift action to enhance its communication and advocacy efforts, mobilizing the community and partners to address the growing food insecurity crisis.
Garden of Health - Responding to the SNAP Pause: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Food Security | $5,000
Garden of Health’s mission is to ensure access to healthy, safe food for low-income families by reducing food insecurity and promoting food safety through support for food pantries, low-income senior housing, and community programs across Montgomery County. The organization is using their grant to raise awareness about SNAP. In addition to focused outreach, Garden of Health seeks to creatively educate the public about the broader issues of food insecurity, the strain on local food pantries, and the ways the community can take action to help.
SPARK Senior Centers of Montgomery County - Fighting Food Insecurity for Seniors | $2,000
SPARK Senior Centers focuses on food security for older adults by providing daily congregate meals and connecting seniors to programs like SNAP and the Senior Commodity Food Box. With the SNAP Pause and the anticipated Food Box program shutdown, increased demand has prompted a request for funding to temporarily expand their Social Service Coordinator’s hours from 25 to 30 per week. This added capacity will support senior education, individualized benefit assistance, and coordination for homebound food access. SPARK’s staff are also engaged in advocacy through SHARE Food Program and Montgomery County Office of Aging Services, sharing data, participating in action efforts, and equipping seniors to communicate with legislators and advocate for long-term food security solutions.
Maternity Care Coalition - MCC Federal Administration Taskforce | $5,000
Maternity Care Coalition was awarded advocacy rapid response funds to support its Federal Administration Taskforce as it monitors shifting federal policies, executive orders, and funding changes, and coordinates the organization’s response to challenges such as the earlier government shutdown, the lapse in SNAP benefits, potential Women, Infants and Children (WIC) disruptions, and the Pennsylvania budget impasse that concluded in early November. Led by MCC’s executive team, the taskforce meets regularly, communicates daily, and collaborates across departments to ensure timely policy analysis, stakeholder communication, emergency fundraising, and delivery of essential resources to affected families. Activities supported by the funds include participation in regional nonprofit leader meetings, rapid translation of legislation and executive actions, gathering real-time feedback from clients and direct service staff, and managing clear and coordinated communication with staff and stakeholders.
Learn more about our Advocacy Rapid Response Fund.