Applied Materials – Resilient Communities Food Security Grants (2027)
Corporate and Foundation Grants Supporting Hunger Relief, Food Security, and Food Distribution Capacity
Applied Materials and the Applied Materials Foundation offer Resilient Communities grants to nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity in communities near Applied Materials facilities.
This funding priority focuses on improving food security for families and strengthening the capacity of organizations providing hunger relief services.
The program recognizes that reliable access to food is essential for children to learn, families to thrive, and communities to build long-term resilience.
Organization: Applied Materials, Inc. and the Applied Materials Foundation
Support Type: Corporate and foundation grants
Geographic Focus: Selected communities in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Oregon, and Texas
Application Deadline: March 15 (2027 cycle)
Decision Deadline: By May 30
Funding Amount: Not published
Grant Duration: Generally one year
About the Funder
Applied Materials is a global materials engineering company headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Through its corporate philanthropy and the Applied Materials Foundation, the company supports nonprofit organizations addressing community needs in locations where it operates.
One of the company’s longstanding philanthropic commitments is fighting hunger.
For more than three decades, Applied Materials employees have participated in the company’s annual Fight Against Hunger campaign.
In fiscal 2024, employee contributions and matching support from the Applied Materials Foundation totaled more than $3.3 million, benefiting 58 food banks across North America.
The Resilient Communities funding pillar reflects this commitment to helping families and communities achieve greater food security.
What This Program Supports
Food Security for Families
Applied Materials prioritizes programs helping individuals and families obtain reliable access to food.
Potential initiatives may include:
- Community food distribution
- Food pantry programs
- Food bank services
- Programs supporting food-insecure households
- Hunger relief partnerships
- Community-based initiatives improving access to food
Applicants should demonstrate how their programs address food insecurity in a designated Applied Materials community.
Capacity Building for Hunger Organizations
The program also focuses on strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations working to address hunger.
Potential initiatives may include:
- Improving food distribution operations
- Strengthening partnerships among hunger relief organizations
- Increasing the reach of food assistance programs
- Improving organizational systems that support food distribution
- Expanding the ability to serve individuals and families
Applicants should explain how proposed improvements will help their organizations serve more people or improve food access.
Any specific equipment, infrastructure, or operational expense should be checked against the application guidelines, particularly because capital campaigns and physical structures are excluded.
Collaborative Hunger Relief
Applied Materials prioritizes collaborative, results-focused programs.
Food banks, food pantries, and community organizations may be well positioned when they demonstrate partnerships that strengthen food distribution and reach residents experiencing food insecurity.
Applicants should describe how collaboration improves their program’s effectiveness.
Required Impact Metrics
Funded organizations must report:
Number of Individuals Served
The total number of people reached through the funded program.
Number of Distribution Sites
The number of locations involved in food distribution.
Applicants should develop methods to collect these figures accurately.
Organizations operating through partner agencies or multiple distribution locations should be prepared to describe their service network.
Eligible Support Types
Applied Materials generally awards one-year grants supporting nonprofit programs aligned with its Resilient Communities priority.
The funding guidelines identify two central areas:
- Food security for families
- Capacity building for hunger organizations
The guidelines do not provide a comprehensive list of eligible expenses.
Applicants should confirm whether proposed operating, equipment, technology, or program expenses qualify before submitting.
Eligibility & Geographic Preferences
Applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving at least one designated Applied Materials community.
Arizona
- Phoenix
- Chandler
California
- Santa Clara County
Massachusetts
- Gloucester
Montana
- Kalispell
New York
- Malta
- Albany
Oregon
- Portland
- Hillsboro
Texas
- Austin
Organizations serving nearby communities may qualify if the proposed program directly benefits a designated Applied Materials location.
The program is geographically restricted and is not available to all organizations operating within these states.
Program Alignment
Applicants must demonstrate a clear connection to food security or hunger organization capacity building.
Organizations outside these priorities will not be considered.
Ineligible Requests
Applied Materials does not fund:
- Capital campaigns or physical structures
- Research
- School or civic sporting events
- Robotics clubs associated with specific schools
- Individuals
- PTAs, alumni groups, fraternities, or commencements
- Religious or political organizations
- Health-related programs or sponsorships, including health education
- Fundraisers such as walk-a-thons, runs, or training teams
Important: Although food security contributes to community health, Applied Materials explicitly excludes health-related programs. Applicants should frame eligible requests around the published food security and hunger relief priorities rather than unrelated health services.
Funding Amounts
Funding Amount: Not Published
Applied Materials does not identify standard award amounts for Resilient Communities grants.
Funding decisions depend on geographic and program alignment, demonstrated need, measurable impact, and available resources.
Grants are generally awarded for one year.
Returning grantees are encouraged to apply again.
Timeline & Review
Proposal Deadline: March 15
Decision Deadline: By May 30
2027 Cycle: March 15, 2027, based on the published annual schedule; confirm the active cycle when applications open.
Applied Materials indicates that grant applications open in the fall.
Applicants should monitor the company’s website for the opening of the online application system.
Application / Request Process
Applications must be submitted through Applied Materials’ online grants management system.
Step 1: Confirm Geographic Eligibility
Verify that the program serves one of the designated Applied Materials communities.
Step 2: Identify the Food Security Need
Describe the local food insecurity challenge and the population the organization serves.
Step 3: Develop the Program Plan
Explain how the requested funding will:
- Improve food access
- Strengthen food distribution
- Increase organizational capacity
- Support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity
Step 4: Establish Measurable Outcomes
Applicants should identify:
- The anticipated number of individuals served
- The number of distribution sites
- How the organization will track program results
Step 5: Prepare Supporting Information
Applicants should be ready to provide organizational information, program descriptions, budgets, and measurable objectives as required by the online application.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Submit the proposal through the online grants system by the March deadline.
Step 7: Complete Grant Reporting
Funded organizations must submit an impact report within one year, including a program description and numerical results.
Apply / Learn More:
Official Funding Guidelines:
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
Resilient Communities grants may be especially attractive to:
- Food banks
- Community food pantries
- Hunger relief nonprofits
- Food distribution networks
- Organizations helping families experiencing food insecurity
- Nonprofits expanding food distribution capacity
- Collaborative community hunger relief initiatives
The program is particularly relevant to organizations that can demonstrate measurable food distribution outcomes and strong local partnerships.
Its emphasis on organizational capacity may also benefit established hunger relief nonprofits seeking to improve the reach and effectiveness of their services.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Annual competitive review
Deadline: March 15
Decision Timeline: By May 30
Grant Duration: Generally one year
Funding Amount: Not published
Geography: Selected Applied Materials communities in seven states
Funding Priorities: Food security and hunger organization capacity building
Required Reporting: Individuals served and distribution sites
Best Suited For: Food banks, food pantries, hunger relief organizations, and food distribution networks
Application Strategy: Demonstrate local food insecurity needs, measurable service outcomes, geographic alignment, and a clear plan to strengthen food access.