White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health Sign-on Letter
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) and Grantmakers In Health (GIH) have been working with White House staff to engage philanthropy in the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. As part of these efforts, our organizations have drafted a sign-on letter (included below) that expresses support for the conference and its goals; provides input on areas that we feel are missing from the conference’s five pillars; and affirms philanthropy’s commitment to working with the White House throughout the process and afterward. SAFSF and GIH collaborated with partners and members from both of our organizations to develop this letter. Foundations,…
“Digging In”: SAFSF Film Series Trailer
One Forum moment was unlike any other from past convenings: the debut of the trailer for the upcoming SAFSF short film series “Digging In” which will explore the issues of concentration and consolidation, land access, and climate change. The film project is underwritten by the Vatheuer Family Foundation and produced by Nathan.Works, a Kansas City-based documentary film and digital communications firm. Join series narrator Masika Henson as she introduces the journey we’ll take to learn more about these three critical issues and some of the promising solutions. Enjoy the trailer and stay tuned for the debut of the complete films later this year!…
Job Announcement: Finance Associate
Application Deadline: July 10, 2022, 11:59 pm PT Apply Online Position Summary The ideal candidate will be excited to join a small, growing organization where they can express and utilize their talents in a finance-focused role. The work requires handling highly sensitive and confidential information. This is a new position for SAFSF, the first solely focused on financial functions, and will be the third member of our small but mighty operations team. The operations team prides itself in being detail-oriented, data-loving, and energized by knowing that they are contributing to the collective success of a dynamic non-profit organization. The Finance…
Job Announcement: Public Policy Associate
The application period closed on August 10, 2022, 11:59 pm PT Position Summary Working with the Senior Director of Public Policy and the entire SAFSF team, the Public Policy Associate will play a critical role in developing policy-related content to engage our network of philanthropic and investment funders in opportunities to support sustainable agriculture and food systems policy work. This is a new role for SAFSF that will support and help shape our overall policy work, including membership engagement and learning, policy analysis and writing, planning and executing events, both virtual and in-person. Successful candidates will have a firm grasp…
Early-Bird Registration Open!
Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for, registration is LIVE for the 20th Annual SAFSF Forum: Commitment & Accountability! We will gather in Kansas City, Missouri on June 20-22, to connect in person and engage with a rich and exciting program. For three days participants will take part in dynamic funder-led workshops, strategic plenary sessions, regional site visits, and deep relationship-building. The Forum is designed to challenge participants to understand the need for grantmakers and investors to take on risks in order to co-create more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems—and at the same time, provides space to cultivate connections with peers so that no one organization…
Call for Nominations for Directors
I’m Jen Zuckerman, chair of the SAFSF Nominating Committee. I am so excited to share that the opportunity to nominate SAFSF members to serve on the SAFSF Board has been extended to May 6th. We are seeking nominations (both self-nominations and nominating other folks) for two open positions on the SAFSF Board of Directors. I have had the incredible experience of serving on both the SAFSF Steering Committee and on the Board of Directors for the past six years. As a result, I have gotten to know so many of our funders, had the opportunity to work closely with our…
New Speakers Confirmed as SAFSF Policy Convening: Commit to Action Shifts to Virtual Format
We are pleased to announce U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh, Senator Cory Booker, and Representative Abigail Spanberger as speakers for the 2022 SAFSF Policy Convening: Commit to Action. Considering the continued challenges with COVID, we have decided to move our 2022 SAFSF Policy Convening: Commit to Action to an online event. Together we will hear thoughtful remarks from our dynamic speakers and engage in strategic conversations as peers about funding base-building, narrative shift, and DC-based education and advocacy for the 2023 Farm Bill–and beyond! The convening will take place on the same dates as planned, but we are adjusting the times as follows: Monday, February 7 – 6:00-7:30 pm ET Hear from…
Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice Participants Address Funding Disparities with Intention and Commitment
For nearly 15 years, SAFSF has been hosting conversations to highlight the painful reality that Native communities receive only about 0.0025% of all philanthropic giving – and only a small portion of those grant dollars go to Native-led organizations. Philanthropic funding for Native communities, on whose stolen lands our agricultural industry and nation are built upon, lags behind funding to all other communities of color. Yet, in the wake of the health and economic devastation of COVID-19 on Native communities, the need for philanthropic commitment to Indian Country has never been greater. Recognizing the need for deeper focus and intentionality…
2021 End of Year Acknowledgements
As we near the end of the year, we like to pause to recognize new members and membership milestones, to acknowledge special support, and to say a few farewells. Most importantly, we thank every SAFSF member and all who have participated in our network activities over the past year! Welcome to our New Members! SAFSF welcomed the following organizations as new or returning members in 2021: Butterfly Equity FoundationClementine FundElmina B. Sewall FoundationEmily Hall Tremaine FoundationFoodshed CapitalIda and Robert Gordon Family FoundationInternational Community FoundationStray Dog InstituteTao RisingThe Roundhouse FoundationThe Shachar FoundationThree Sisters Fund Member Milestones Thank you to these funders for completing…
USDA Equity Commission Nomination Deadline Oct 27
The USDA announced it will be establishing an Equity Commission and is requesting nominations for membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture. This is a really important opportunity to advise the Secretary of Agriculture and the entire USDA on identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health and social disparities. The Subcommittee on Agriculture will be formed concurrently and will report back to the Equity Commission and provide recommendations on issues of concern related to agriculture to optimize USDA programs, dismantle structural…
