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The Albertsons Companies Foundation

Annual Giving
$61.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $5.0M
Decision Time
2mo

The Albertsons Companies Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $61,641,891 (2024)
  • Number of Awards: 875 grants (2024)
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks from application cycle close
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $5,000,000 (most grants under $500,000)
  • First-Time Funded Organizations: $1,000 - $10,000 (varies by region)
  • Geographic Focus: 35 states and District of Columbia where Albertsons operates retail stores

Contact Details

Address: 11555 Dublin Canyon Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588

Phone: 925-226-5121

Website: Albertsons Companies Foundation

Online Application Portal: Application System

Nourishing Neighbors Program: www.nourishingneighbors.com

Overview

The Albertsons Companies Foundation was established in 2001 and is designated as a 501(c)(3) public foundation (EIN: 91-2144510). Based in Pleasanton, California, the foundation represents the philanthropic arms of 17 Albertsons supermarket chains including Acme, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, and others operating in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Working in collaboration with local organizations, the foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in communities served by its retail stores by carefully directing fundraising efforts and generous contributions from employees, vendors, and customers.

The foundation's flagship initiative is the Nourishing Neighbors program, launched in 2014, which has delivered over 1.3 billion meals and contributed over $330 million toward combating hunger. In 2024, the foundation celebrated the 10th anniversary of Nourishing Neighbors, having raised $297 million through the program. Looking forward, Albertsons has announced an ambitious goal of enabling 1.5 billion meals by 2030 through surplus food donations and foundation fundraising, investing $10 million annually to break the cycle of hunger.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Nourishing Neighbors Innovation Spark Grants: Multi-year grants ranging from $290,000 to $900,000 supporting innovative programs designed to create long-term solutions to food insecurity. Recent recipients include:

  • NeighborShare (Massachusetts): $900,000 for rapid financial assistance to families in crisis
  • Food Research & Action Center: $600,000 to strengthen SNAP Employment and Training programs
  • National Health Foundation (Los Angeles): $600,000 to engage youth with lived experience of food insecurity
  • FareStart (Seattle): $290,000 for externship programs

Regional Grant Programs: Applications accepted through online portal on a rolling basis. Grant amounts vary by region:

  • Northern California: $1,000 - $2,500 for first-time funded organizations
  • Southern California and Southwest: $1,000 - $5,000 for first-time funded organizations
  • Seattle region (WA, ID, AK): $2,500 - $10,000 for first-time funded organizations
  • Denver region (CO, WY, NE, NM, SD): $500 - $5,000 for first-time funded organizations

Once the foundation has a funding history with an organization, they will consider higher grant amounts.

Special RFP Opportunities: The foundation periodically issues Request for Proposals with specific invitation codes for targeted initiatives, which may offer larger grant amounts.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus - Hunger Relief: The foundation's top priority is eradicating hunger, specifically seeking organizations that:

  • Feed neighbors today (emergency food assistance)
  • Help connect them to resources to feed themselves tomorrow (capacity building)
  • End hunger forever (systemic solutions)

Secondary Focus Areas:

  • Youth and education (K-12 programs, out-of-school learning)
  • Health (children's health, cancer support)
  • Services for people with disabilities (Special Olympics, special education, housing)
  • Veterans services
  • Human services

What They Don't Fund

The foundation generally does not fund:

  • Individuals or for-profit organizations
  • Political organizations or activities
  • Other foundations or granting organizations
  • Fundraising dinners, galas, and events (they prefer funds go directly to program services rather than offsetting event expenses)

Governance and Leadership

Christy Duncan Anderson serves as Executive Director and President of the Albertsons Companies Foundation. Anderson brings passionate leadership to the foundation's mission, stating: "I absolutely feel that I have the best job and am grateful for all the support and true dedication the team here has to making our world better. I'm proud to work alongside such talented and compassionate individuals who inspire me to do more and more every day to help our neighbors end the cycle of hunger."

On the foundation's ambitious goals, Anderson noted: "We are so proud of everything we've been able to do over the past 10 years — the program has enabled a billion meals. These are big goals, and this is a culmination of our ambition moving forward to ensure that all of our neighbors have the food they need."

Addressing the scope of the problem, she emphasized: "More than 44 million people in America face the challenge of food insecurity. We ask ourselves, 'How do we connect people to resources?'"

Susan Morris previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors before becoming CEO of Albertsons Companies in 2025.

The foundation maintains a board of directors that includes Rucha Nanavati and other trustees involved in guiding the foundation's strategic direction.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the foundation's online application portal. The system triages requests and sends them to the appropriate geographic team for consideration.

Two Application Pathways:

  1. RFP-Based Applications: The foundation recommends researching current grant opportunities on the Nourishing Neighbors website for specific RFP opportunities with invitation codes. These typically offer larger grant amounts.

  2. General Applications: Organizations can apply outside of specific RFP processes for limited funds through the online portal on a rolling basis.

Employee Sponsor Requirement (Critical for Some Regions)

REQUIRED in California, Hawaii, and Reno-area Nevada: All donation and grant requests MUST have an employee sponsor.

Optional but Recommended in Other Regions: Having an employee sponsor significantly strengthens your application.

Who Can Sponsor: An employee sponsor is typically a volunteer, board member, or someone who has been helped by your organization. An employee in any role at any level of the company may recommend your organization if they have firsthand knowledge of your work.

What Happens: On the online application, you'll be asked if you have a sponsor and offered the opportunity to provide their name. The foundation will contact that employee to learn more about your work before the application is considered.

If You Don't Have a Sponsor: If you cannot identify an employee volunteer or connection, speak to your local Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, or other company store manager to see if they would be willing to sponsor your organization.

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis (though timing varies by region). Applicants can expect a response approximately 6 weeks from the close of the application cycle regarding their grant status.

Success Rates

The foundation made 875 grants in 2024, 954 in 2023, 1,143 in 2022, and 1,688 in 2020. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication timing and eligibility.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Guidance

Employee Sponsor is Critical: In regions where it's required (CA, HI, NV-Reno), you cannot be considered without one. Even where optional, having an employee sponsor who can vouch for your work dramatically strengthens your application. The foundation explicitly states they will contact the sponsor to learn more about your work.

Alignment with Hunger Relief: The foundation's clearest guidance is that hunger relief is their priority. As Christy Duncan Anderson stated about the Innovation Spark Grants: "We developed the Nourishing Neighbors Innovation Spark Grants to help ignite the potential within communities, fueling innovative programs that aim not just to feed our neighbors in need, but to empower individuals to achieve food security." Applications should demonstrate how programs address hunger relief, even if that's not the organization's sole focus.

Three-Part Approach: The foundation explicitly looks for organizations that address hunger in one or more of three ways:

  1. Feed neighbors today (immediate relief)
  2. Help connect them to resources to feed themselves tomorrow (skill building, resource connection)
  3. End hunger forever (systemic solutions)

Frame your application using this language and demonstrate which of these categories your work addresses.

Serve Albertsons Communities: Organizations must serve communities where Albertsons Companies operates stores. Geographic alignment is essential—the foundation emphasizes that "the vast majority of the funds raised stays in local communities."

Start Small, Build Relationship: The foundation explicitly states that first-time funded organizations typically receive $1,000-$10,000 (depending on region), and "once there is some history with an organization, the foundation will entertain a request at a higher value." View initial funding as relationship-building rather than expecting large grants immediately.

Innovation and Long-Term Solutions: Recent Innovation Spark Grants focus on addressing "root causes of hunger" and creating "long-term solutions." If applying for larger grants or special RFPs, emphasize innovative approaches and systemic change rather than just service delivery.

Nondiscrimination Policy Required: The foundation requires a nondiscrimination policy from all applicants—ensure you have this ready to provide.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

The 2024-2025 Innovation Spark Grant recipients provide insight into what the foundation considers innovative:

  • Rapid flexible financial assistance to prevent food insecurity crises (NeighborShare)
  • Strengthening SNAP Employment and Training programs at state level (Food Research & Action Center)
  • Youth engagement programs led by those with lived experience of food insecurity (National Health Foundation)
  • Job training partnerships with retail stores (FareStart)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Employee sponsor is essential in CA/HI/NV-Reno and highly beneficial everywhere else—start building this connection before applying. If you don't have one, approach your local store manager.

  • Hunger relief gets priority funding—even if your organization focuses on education, health, or other areas, clearly articulate how your work connects to food security.

  • Use their three-part framework: Explain whether you feed neighbors today, help them feed themselves tomorrow, or work to end hunger forever (or combination).

  • Think local and geographic alignment—organizations must serve communities where Albertsons operates stores. Emphasize your connection to the specific community served by local stores.

  • Start with modest expectations for first grant—expect $1,000-$10,000 initially, then build the relationship for larger future grants.

  • Innovation matters for larger grants—if pursuing Innovation Spark Grants or special RFPs, focus on root causes, systemic solutions, and innovative approaches rather than traditional service delivery.

  • Application timeline is quarterly with 6-week decision window—plan accordingly and don't expect rapid responses.

References

All sources accessed December 2025.

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