How We Can Help

The final opportunity to apply for a Spark Award will open October 30, 2026. Our team is here to help you get ready for application season.

One-On-One Support

Our State Leads in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin are key parts of their local and regional food system and school networks. They can help:

  • Develop project ideas
  • Form and manage partnerships
  • Connect with resources
  • Answer questions about your application
  • Strengthen your grant writing by reviewing and/or editing your application
Connect with Your State Lead
illustrated map of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin
illustration of a hanging sign that reads Open

Virtual Office Hours

Help is available in both English and Spanish.

From October 30, 2026, to February 12, 2027, office hours will be offered as outlined below. Office hours will not be held on November 3, November 26–27, or December 24–January 1.

On January 22, 2027 hours will be extended and available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. 

COMPLIANCE SUPPORT

Mariela Medina with the Illinois Public Health Institute can help you manage federal grant compliance, including:

  • Registering with the System for Award Management government contracting system (sam.gov)
  • Understanding federal grant compliance
  • Ensuring proper financial management practices
  • Fulfilling other grant requirements

Mariela Medina’s office hours

  • Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CST | Zoom
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. CST| Zoom
  • To schedule a different time, please contact Mariela by Email or schedule a 1:1 meeting

Application Portal SUPPORT

Elise Ramos with the Illinois Public Health Institute can help you navigate the online grant application portal.

Elise Ramos’s office hours

  • Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CST | Zoom
  • Monday and Wednesday, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CST | Zoom
  • To schedule a different time, please contact Elise by Email or schedule a 1:1 meeting

2026 Spark Award Launch Webinar: Understanding Our Spark Awards and How We Can Help

Wednesday, November 4, 2026
2:00 p.m. CST / 3:00 p.m. EST

The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub is thrilled to launch our final round of Spark Awards. This webinar will cover an overview of the Request for Applications, including what’s changed from our previous round, and the answers to a few of your most frequently asked questions. There will be time to meet and greet your State Leads, along with other partners who are interested in Innovation Hub grants for your State!

REGISTER TODAY

VIDEO LIBRARY

Our collection of helpful videos is growing! These tutorials will help you prepare your application.

INSPIRATION

Browse ideas for projects that improve the local and regional school food system to better serve our students, schools and local economies.

View current grantees’ projects.