Summit Community Gardens + EATS, a Park City-based nutritional and agricultural nonprofit, has received a grant from the Byrne Family Foundation Trust as part of its first round of 2026 grants. The Byrne Family Foundation Trust, who said it has surpassed $1 million in lifetime giving through its Fast Track Grant Program following this round of grants, launched in July 2022. The program aims provides grants to education and animal welfare organizations serving Dallas, Texas, and Park City. The trust said it created the program to fill a gap many nonprofits face when unexpected challenges arise outside of traditional grant cycles. Grantees typically receive funds within four weeks of applying. “Fast Track was designed as a rapid-response model for philanthropy that meets organizations in real time,” said Heather Koopman, director of the Byrne Family Foundation Trust. “When timing is critical, whether it’s a short-term funding gap or an unexpected emergency, it allows us to respond quickly and support organizations at pivotal moments.” Summit Community Gardens + EATS in Park City provides cooking and nutrition education for children, expands food access for families and operates Summit County’s only public community garden. When the organization received its first Fast Track grant, it used it to address a nutrition gap: While 18% of Park City children were eligible for free and reduced lunch, many lacked access to healthy snacks during other parts of the school day. With Fast Track funding, the organization launched its Fruit to Schools program, providing fresh fruit to students during the school day. Today, the program serves more than 300 children each week, according to the organization. Over time, the nonprofit went on to secure two additional Fast Track grants to address other time-sensitive gaps. The trust said Summit Community Gardens’ rapid-response partnership gave the trust confidence in Summit Community Gardens + EATS programs, leadership and financial health, leading to program-specific support to sustain and expand year-round Edible Education programming. “BFFT’s Fast Track program’s responsiveness to community needs is unlike anything I’ve seen in 20 years in the nonprofit sector,” said Helen Nadel, M.Ed., executive director of SCG + EATS. “When you see kids who need food, you don’t want to wait six months until the next grant cycle. Fast Track helped us address a nutrition gap immediately.” Fast Track grant applications are brief, reporting requirements are minimal and funding decisions are made quickly, the trust said, aiming to allow organizations to receive funds in the same month they apply. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, the trust said, with an average award of $5,000, and support projects such as: Emergency infrastructure repairs Short-term operating gaps Time-sensitive matching grants Sudden increases in essential expenses Eligible organizations must align with the trust’s mission focus on education or domestic animal welfare. The program prioritizes projects that advance equity and expand access to opportunity in the communities served. Eligibility, timing, and application requirements can be found at byrnefamilyfoundationtrust.org/fast-track-faqs The post Summit Community Gardens receives another fast-track grant from Byrne Family Foundation Trust appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less