Role of MAZON Canada in the funding ecosystem
MAZON Canada is a grassroots community foundation and the national Jewish response to hunger. Based in Toronto and active across all regions of Canada, it channels donations from individuals, families, synagogues and community organizations into grants for front-line food aid providers. Its partners include food banks, shelters, school food programs, community meal programs, meals-on-wheels services, community gardens and innovative food security projects serving people of all ages, backgrounds, faiths and abilities.
Each year, MAZON provides hundreds of grants to a network of more than 200 partner programs in dozens of towns and cities. These grants help organizations purchase food, fridges and freezers, kitchen equipment and garden supplies, strengthening their capacity to feed local communities. The organization emphasizes trust-based, low-barrier grantmaking and prioritizes smaller, community-run programs, rural initiatives and groups serving marginalized or highly vulnerable populations.
Granting streams and funding priorities
MAZON’s portfolio is organized into four main granting streams. Grocery Grants are the backbone of its impact and are earmarked for direct food purchasing or grocery gift cards, including fresh produce, dairy, meat, kosher or halal foods, and items for special diets. Infrastructure (Gear) Grants equip partners with long-lasting tools such as refrigerators, freezers and other kitchen equipment, often enabling food rescue and safe storage of donated food.
Garden Grants fund community gardens by covering soil, seedlings, tools, fencing and related supplies. These projects teach people to grow their own food, supply low-cost fresh produce to food programs and support climate and environmental goals. Innovative and Advocacy Grants support experimental or systems-focused initiatives, including research, policy development, campaigns and coalition work that address hunger at its roots, such as advocacy for a National School Food Program.
MAZON targets its funding to regions and communities in greatest need, using criteria that favour small-budget organizations, rural and remote communities, programs serving racialized or marginalized groups, and initiatives offering holistic wraparound supports like housing, employment or addictions services. It also values client voice and lived experience in leadership and program design.
Application processes and partner support
MAZON operates a public, annual application process for Grocery Grants, typically open for about a month in the fall and managed through an online portal. Eligible organizations may apply for one Grocery Grant stream per year, such as Children & Youth, General/Any Ages or Umbrella. Information gathered through these applications and supplemental forms informs subsequent Gear and Garden Grants, which are usually offered to existing grantees. Organizations interested in other streams, including advocacy funding, are encouraged to contact MAZON’s partnerships staff directly.
Beyond distributing funds, MAZON maintains close relationships with partner programs, collects data on meals provided, dollars granted and geographic reach, and shares stories of impact. It publishes annual reports and audited financial statements to demonstrate that the majority of its expenditures go to grants, education and advocacy, reinforcing its focus on accountability and impact in the fight against food insecurity.
