Food Service Startups Gain $30K Boost from Dallas Federal Home Loan Bank and Homewise
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), in partnership with Homewise, has awarded $30,000 in funding to the Street Food Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs launch and grow food service businesses. The support comes through the bank’s Partnership Grant Program (PGP), which connects community-based organizations with critical resources to expand their programs and enhance local economic development.
The ceremonial check presentation took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the Street Food Institute has operated for more than a decade. Founded with the mission of using food as a pathway to opportunity, the organization has been instrumental in providing aspiring business owners with the training, resources, and mentorship they need to break into the competitive culinary industry.
Supporting Local Entrepreneurs
The Street Food Institute offers a unique blend of programs designed to give participants both theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience. Entrepreneurs can enroll in in-person management classes where they learn the fundamentals of running a food-based business, ranging from accounting and compliance to customer service and marketing. In addition to classroom instruction, the institute provides on-the-job training opportunities and access to a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, where participants can develop their culinary skills and test their concepts.
Many of the program’s graduates have gone on to launch food trucks, catering services, or small restaurants—businesses that contribute directly to the vibrancy of New Mexico’s food scene. With food trucks and pop-up dining concepts gaining popularity nationwide, the Street Food Institute has carved out an important niche, giving new entrepreneurs a platform to transform their passion into a sustainable career.
Later this year, the organization plans to expand its reach by offering online courses, which will open doors for entrepreneurs who may not be able to attend in-person programming. This new offering will enable the nonprofit to connect with a broader audience, including individuals from rural areas or those balancing other work and family responsibilities.
How the Grant Will Be Used
The $30,000 in PGP funding will allow the Street Food Institute to add new programming, expand its resource offerings, and increase its community engagement activities. By strengthening its infrastructure, the nonprofit will be better equipped to meet the growing demand for its services and to help more entrepreneurs transition from the idea stage to operating successful businesses.
Tina Garcia-Shams, executive director of the Street Food Institute, emphasized the importance of this support for both the organization and the people it serves.
“We are grateful for the PGP funding from FHLB Dallas and Homewise, which will help us reach more entrepreneurs in their journey to become successful food business owners,” Garcia-Shams said. “The demand for our programs continues to grow, and these funds will allow us to enhance our curriculum, provide more mentorship, and expand our facilities to meet the needs of our community.”
A Partnership with Lasting Impact
The Partnership Grant Program is designed to amplify the impact of contributions made by FHLB Dallas member institutions. Under the program, FHLB Dallas offers up to a 5-to-1 match of member contributions, with a maximum match of $25,000 per member. These grants target community-based organizations engaged in affordable housing or economic development activities that complement other FHLB Dallas community investment initiatives.
In this case, Homewise, a long-standing community development organization, contributed $5,000. FHLB Dallas matched that with $25,000, bringing the total grant to $30,000.
Homewise Deputy CEO Johanna Gilligan explained that the organization has partnered with the Street Food Institute on several initiatives over the years, including supporting the opening of a larger commercial kitchen three years ago.
“Through our relationship, we’ve witnessed the energy, positivity, and skills they’re bringing to the food industry,” Gilligan said. “FHLB Dallas’ PGP funds are instrumental in helping us reach and assist small nonprofits that often have limited ability to attract grant funding due to their size. Programs like this provide a lifeline that allows them to grow, adapt, and continue serving their communities.”
Why Small Nonprofits Benefit Most
For smaller nonprofits like the Street Food Institute, securing grant funding can often be a challenge. Large grant programs frequently prioritize bigger organizations with the administrative infrastructure to manage complex applications and reporting requirements. This leaves many smaller but highly impactful organizations at a disadvantage, even when their work is transforming lives.
Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, underscored why the PGP program is such a valuable resource.
“PGP funding allows small nonprofits to target grants for administrative and capacity-building efforts to grow and increase their services to the community,” Hettrick explained. “This is an area often overlooked by other grant programs but a vital need for smaller organizations. By supporting their growth, we enable them to reach more people, develop stronger programs, and ultimately create a larger community impact.”
Building Stronger Communities Through Food
The story of the Street Food Institute demonstrates how investing in entrepreneurship can have ripple effects throughout a community. Food-based businesses not only create jobs but also bring people together, foster cultural exchange, and enhance the local economy. For many participants, starting a food business is more than just a career move—it’s a chance to share family traditions, highlight cultural flavors, and create a sense of belonging.
The support provided by FHLB Dallas and Homewise ensures that these opportunities remain accessible to individuals who might otherwise face significant barriers to entry. Whether it’s the cost of equipment, the challenge of navigating regulations, or the difficulty of securing commercial kitchen space, the Street Food Institute is helping entrepreneurs overcome these obstacles and focus on what they do best—serving great food to their communities.
