Dirt Capital Partners joined SAFSF in 2023, and since then their staff have been active members and leaders of our community, hear their stories below.
“I attended the SAFSF conference in Pittsburgh in 2019 without really knowing much about the organization, and I was impressed by the open and equity-oriented community with a lot of thought leadership. Since founding Dirt Capital Partners in 2014, we have tested out models and worked with countless farmers to inform the work we do all across the US today.
Participating in SAFSF’s Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice in 2022 and recommending Amanda to participate in 2024 deepened our understanding and appreciation of native-led agricultural projects. Whether or not we are the ones providing funds, we enjoy lending our land expertise to facilitate the flow of capital needed.
While SAFSF has become a bigger and bigger tent, I appreciate that the organization tries to learn from and represent the voices of community partners. Work happens at the speed of relationships, and SAFSF has done an excellent job of supporting work between aligned actors in the space.” – Jacob Israelow, SAFSF Membership Committee Member, Founding and Managing Partner for Dirt Capital Partners
“My first exposure to investing in sustainable food systems was when I joined the Slow Money movement in 2013, and the landscape has changed significantly since then. I learned about SAFSF after joining Dirt Capital Partners as the Director of Investment in 2022 and started to understand the key role SAFSF plays.
Dirt Capital Partners has a four-pronged investment framework – (1) Ecological Stewardship, (2) Farmer Equity, (3) Community Benefits, and (4) Field-Building, meaning catalyzing greater and more equitable farmland investment. I’m proud to be able to dedicate time to Field-Building by actively working with partner organizations and fostering growth in investor networks. We understand that a rising tide lifts all boats, and being a member of SAFSF is an important part of that work.
I love that SAFSF has expanded its focus to diverse capital partners who bring high-impact funds to food and agriculture in a wide variety of capacities. Bringing together philanthropic organizations and impact investors to create blended capital and share lessons learned is critical, catalytic work necessary for truly sustainable change.” -Amanda Zakharov, SAFSF Board Member and Finance and Audit Committee Member, Director of Investment for Dirt Capital Partners.
Join Today—Last Chance to Join Before the New Year!
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) amplifies the impact of philanthropic and investment communities in support of just and sustainable food and agriculture systems. The impact we generate is fueled by over 100 diverse members who fund food and agriculture systems every day from grantmaking to impact investment. Are you interested in joining our community?
By joining SAFSF, you’ll access networking opportunities, funder education events, and member-only resources that will enhance your work and deepen your impact. Learn more about membership benefits here.
We hope to welcome you, your voice, and your expertise to our network as we usher in a new year. The last chance to join this year closes on Today, December 2. If you are interested in membership, schedule a call here or email our Membership Team at [email protected] to receive more information.