The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is accepting applications for the Startup and Expansion Grant for At-Risk Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs, RFA S-58100-00015812. The grant reimburses eligible startup and expansion expenses that increase access to and participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool Program, and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO).
Funding
ODE states that over $562,000 in grant funds is available to Sponsors and Partners during the 2025-2027 biennium. The controlling RFA anticipates that each Grant will not exceed $20,000 per successful applicant per biennium. The performance period is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. The attached sample grant identifies Oregon General Funds as the funding source.
Eligibility
An applicant must be an Oregon public school district, government agency, community-based organization, or nonprofit organization. It must also be an existing Sponsor in good standing with the applicable Child Nutrition Program and not Seriously Deficient, have a Sponsor Application currently in process with ODE, or partner with a current Sponsor in good standing. Separate applications involving partners must be coordinated so requested costs are distinct and non-duplicative.
Eligible and Ineligible Costs
The RFA permits reimbursement for food-service equipment, outreach and enrichment, transportation, and labor. Examples include meal-service equipment and supplies, sanitation-related repairs or equipment, outreach materials, enrichment and educational activity supplies, eligible food-transportation costs, and qualifying new or expanded labor. Food and beverage purchases are not allowable, vehicle purchases and rentals are excluded, and grant funds may not supplant existing staff costs. Administrative and indirect costs are allowable when documented and approved, but indirect costs may not exceed 15% of total labor costs reimbursed by the grant.
Deadline and Submission
The RFA lists multiple application closings, all at 3:00 PM Pacific Time. As of this verification, the next closing is October 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM Pacific Time, followed by December 31, 2026, February 25, 2027, and March 31, 2027, each at 3:00 PM Pacific Time. Applications are reviewed in the order received. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Startup and Expansion Grant 2025-2027 Smartsheet Application identified in Attachment B.
OregonBuys displays March 31, 2027 at 12:00 AM in its header, but the controlling RFA schedule states 3:00 PM Pacific Time for the closing dates. Atlas therefore uses the RFA schedule.
Match, Registrations, and Award Conditions
No fixed mandatory match percentage or dollar amount is stated in the verified RFA. The sample grant allows grantees to use other funds in addition to the grant but prohibits duplicate payment of the same project costs. If selected, an applicant must be authorized to transact business in Oregon or explain why registration is not applicable, provide required insurance, and submit a W-9/TIN before grant execution or disbursement.
Amendment and Q&A
OregonBuys shows Amendment 1 dated July 6, 2026 adding a Questions and Answers document. The Q&A clarifies that indirect costs are included within Total Labor Costs and the applicable indirect-rate percentage should be identified in the budget activity column.
Contacts
The RFA’s Single Point of Contact is Mary Piper, Procurement and Contract Specialist, 971-208-0466, mary.piper@ode.oregon.gov. Communications about the RFA must be directed only to the authorized Single Point of Contact or through the designated ODE Smartsheet question process.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 84/100. N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. This is a strong Oregon school and child-nutrition funding opportunity with broad eligible applicant types and practical reimbursement categories. It does not establish a legitimate remote physical examination, guided-vitals, telehealth, connected-diagnostics, or other N9+/QC Healthcare use case, so no Dr. Miltie direct-vendor or applicant outreach is recommended.