As we face destabilizing times in our nation – and in the non-profit sector – we call for leadership from philanthropy and investors. Each day we receive emails from non-profit and field leaders who are worried they won’t be able to make payroll in the coming months. At SAFSF, we are braiding together many threads of resources, actions, and responses from funders, partners, and grantees. Please keep sending us your questions, resources, and calls to action. We will keep weaving and coordinating funders in food and agriculture to contribute to the collective intelligence and well-being of the entire ecosystem.
Additionally, SAFSF is working closely with several allied funder networks and philanthropy supporting organizations, including our colleagues at Health and Environmental Funders Network, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture, Climate and Energy Funders Group, and the broader United Philanthropy Forum network to ensure alignment and coordination.
In the immediate future, we are offering three virtual calls:
- RIGHT NOW February 19 from 3:30 – 4:45 pm ET, join us for a funder-only webinar on “Responding to the Federal Funding Crisis: What Farmers and Connected Nonprofits are Experiencing and What Funders Can Do.” We will not be recording this session, but will share resources and insights following the event. Register here.
- Next Wednesday, February 26 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm ET, join us for an SAFSF member-only call to share ideas and resources about ways to support grantees and partners in light of federal funding freezes. Details below. Register here.
- In mid-March, join us for an important discussion on how the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders impact immigrant food and farm workers. Details coming soon. To stay up to date with SAFSF events, sign up for our monthly newsletter.
What Now?
While funders may not be able to fill every gap, we invite you to lean into what you can do. Philanthropy and impact investors play a role in civil society, the fabric of which is being torn. This is the moment where we can leverage our institutional impact in society, here are some ideas on how:
Resource Beyond The Check. For our partners on the ground who don’t know what comes next, it’s not just about filling funding gaps, it’s also about being their partner in navigating uncertain times. Areas where non-profits need additional support right now include: financial modeling for sustainability (especially those whose budgets primarily stem from federal sources), digital security, and legal defense and risk mitigation. Some non-profits with federal contracts are fighting back to legally defend their federal contracts. Do you have local partners who can offer these services pro bono? Can you aggregate resources for your area? Here is an example of the Hartford Foundation resourcing partners with information and connections.
Get Flexible. Like, really flexible. Not only do grantees need general flexibility in terms of application and reporting requirements, deadlines, and general operating funds, they also need support to pivot into new strategies. Community-based organizations and nonprofits need funding for legal defense, litigation, know your rights trainings, cash assistance for hard hit community members, and yes, advocacy and lobbying. As a funder, you can support your funded partners in exploring new strategies for impact, and by being flexible with what your funding can be used for.
Unlock Dollars. Most foundations disperse only the required 5% of assets into philanthropy. Now is the time to challenge your leadership to deploy more dollars to communities. I love this analysis by Jourdan McGinn of Impact Charitable, reporting that “private philanthropy would have to increase their funding by 282%” to fill federal funding gaps. While that number seems high, she notes that that figure represents “distributing about 14% of their assets a year. In other words, it would mean holding on to 86% of their assets.” Even reallocating a percentage of invested assets can have a massive impact for partners who are facing major gaps. She also points out that assets that sit on the balance sheet can do more harm than good by being tied up in investments in extractive industries. Now is the time to draw down more of your organization’s portfolio toward its mission. For ideas, SAFSF Member Woodcock Foundation joins others for a discussion on “Using Philanthropic Assets beyond Grantmaking: Shareholder Engagement as a Tool to Drive Change” through Philanthropy New York.
Use Your Privilege, Use Your Voice. Your foundation is not as vulnerable or scrutinized as your grantees and funded partners. You can educate lawmakers about the impact of policy on your communities without crossing the “lobbying line.” Yes, this perhaps means stomaching more risk as an organization. But consider the (legal) resources you have available to you, as compared to your community partners. Now is the time to use the weight and privilege of your foundation’s reputation to speak up. Remember that engagement with local and state government officials is critical for safeguarding local government programs.
Coordinate and Combine Efforts. We see SAFSF members disseminating surveys to grantees; please share what you are hearing with the network for amplified learning and field awareness. We also hear SAFSF members inquiring about and laying the groundwork for pooled emergency funding for our sector. As an example, the SHOT Fund, led by SAFSF members Regenerative Agriculture Foundation and Rural Climate Partnership, are pivoting their structure to deploy emergency funds. To more effectively disseminate opportunities and pool resources, connect with networks, like SAFSF, and our partners. Adopt the mindset of “if you want to go far, go together,” we collectively can make a more significant impact than we can alone.
Finally, we are sharing again additional resources developed by Dãnia Davy, Founder, Land & Liberation.
Warmly,
Clare Fox, Executive Director