C&S Wholesale Grocers – Mini Grants Program

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Small Community Grants Supporting Hunger, Children, and the Environment

The Mini Grants Program from C&S Wholesale Grocers provides small, locally driven funding to nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life in the communities where C&S employees live and work. Launched in 2002, the program is intentionally hyper-local, with grant decisions made by C&S employees who understand community needs firsthand.

Mini Grants are ideal for grassroots nonprofits seeking flexible funding for community programs, local events, or food/product support.

Organization

C&S Wholesale Grocers

Support Type

Charitable mini grants (cash and in-kind)

Geographic Focus

Communities within 20 miles of a C&S operating location, including but not limited to:

Aberdeen, MD • Bethlehem, PA • Brattleboro, VT • Chester, NY • Dallas, TX • DuBois, PA • Edison, NJ • Hammond, LA • Hatfield, MA • Houston, TX • Jacksonville, FL • Kahului, HI • Kapolei, HI • Keaau, HI • Keene, NH • Lihue, HI • Miami, FL • North Charleston, SC • Olean, NY • Pearl City, HI • Plant City, FL • Rancho Cordova, CA • Robesonia, PA • Sacramento, CA • Stockton, CA • Suffield, CT • Troutdale, OR • Westfield, MA • Windsor Locks, CT • York, PA

About the Funder

C&S Wholesale Grocers is one of the largest wholesale grocery supply companies in the United States. Through its community partnerships and employee-driven giving programs, C&S invests in local organizations addressing hunger, supporting children, and protecting the environment in the neighborhoods it serves.

What This Program Supports

Applicants must align with at least one of C&S’s core initiatives:

Hunger
Food access programs, food pantries, community kitchens, and hunger-relief initiatives
Children
Programs that support children’s health, education, and wellbeing
Environment
Community-based environmental initiatives with measurable local impact

Projects should address specific community needs and demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes.

Funding Amounts

💰 Up to $1,000 for community programs or projects that improve quality of life
💰 Up to $500 for local special events that raise funds or awareness
🥫 Food or product donations for nonprofit events, celebrations, or fundraisers (availability varies by location)

Eligibility & Preferences

Eligible organizations must:

Hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
Have at least two years of direct service experience
Be located within 20 miles of a C&S facility
Focus on Hunger, Children, and/or Environment
Complete a brief eligibility quiz prior to applying

Organizations operating in multiple locations may apply once per site, for up to three sites per fiscal year.

To help support as many groups as possible, organizations are encouraged to apply every other year.

Ineligible Requests

C&S does not fund:

Capital campaigns or multi-year requests
Endowments, scholarships, or grants to individuals
Travel expenses
Mass mailing appeals
National health organizations or statewide/regional affiliates
Organizations that discriminate
United Way agencies (except hunger-focused agencies requesting cash support)

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Deadline: First of each month (rolling)
📅 Review Period: 2–3 weeks
📅 Decision Timing: On or around the 14th of each month

Requests submitted after the first of the month roll into the next review cycle. Due to volume, requests cannot be expedited.

Application Process

All requests must be submitted online through C&S’s electronic Mini Grant application system.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.cswg.com/community/partnerships/mini-grants/

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This program is a strong fit for nonprofits that:

Operate locally near a C&S facility
Need small, flexible funding for community-level impact
Work in hunger relief, child-focused services, or environmental stewardship
Benefit from employee-driven, place-based grantmaking

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Monthly, rolling
Typical Award Size: $500–$1,000
Best Suited For: Local nonprofits seeking small grants or in-kind support for community impact projects