Wyoming Hunger Initiative allocates $118,400 in ‘flexible funding’ grant money to anti-hunger nonprofits

First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative, in partnership with the John P. Ellbogen Foundation, allocated $118,400 this summer to anti-hunger organizations in the form of “unrestricted” funding defined as expenses to anti-hunger organizations that may not fit the criteria for infrastructure or food.

Among the 32 applications that were funded were those of the Lovell Food Pantry and the South Big Horn Senior Center in Greybull.

Wyoming Hunger Initiative is being uniquely positioned to provide the framework and foundation for successful collaborations and solutions to hunger statewide. After a series of conversations with partners at local Wyoming Hunger Initiative Regional Summits, the John P. Ellbogen Foundation came forward with their plan to support and address the needs that were identified, but lacked sources of funding. Some examples of these needs include salaries, utilities, rent, marketing, assistance with acquiring a nonprofit status, internships, communications, storage, and accounting assistance.

“The Ellbogen Foundation is delighted to work with the First Lady and the Wyoming Hunger Initiative to serve the people of Wyoming. We are so thankful for this partnership and the opportunity to provide flexible support to the many organizations in our great state that help to meet the most basic needs in communities across Wyoming” says Mary Ellbogen Garland, president and chair of the Ellbogen Foundation.

The Flexible Funding grant dollars were intended to address one-time or extra costs or expenses facing the organizations. Grants should help organizations meet their missions by solving problems, closing gaps, and otherwise accelerating work and impact in the community. It is important that organizations share a program or operations need and coherently align a solution that requires funds.