Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Funders (SAFSF)

Earlier this month, SAFSF and?DETROIT BLACK COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY NETWORK INC Black Food Sovereignty Network?(DBCFSN) co-hosted a powerful one-day event focused on transformative food justice initiatives. Funders, community leaders, and advocates gathered at the?Detroit People's Food Co-op, a community-owned co-operative grocery store and multi-use facility developed by DBCFSN—to explore the intersection of health equity, sustainable economic growth, and community self-determination. The event highlighted the transformative potential of community-led food systems in addressing systemic inequities. Attendees engaged with critical themes, such as health and wealth disparities impacting frontline communities, the importance of community-driven solutions, and the essential role funders must play in driving long-term, systemic change. By showcasing actionable strategies and on-the-ground examples, this event equipped funders and partners with the tools to support community-led food systems, while advancing health equity, economic empowerment, and justice through the lens of sovereignty. We want to give our appreciation to all our collaborators, facilitators and speakers for sharing their wisdom with us: Ali Anderson, Feed Black Futures Ashley Atkinson,?Keep Growing Detroit Cicely Garrett, National Black Food and Justice Alliance Gi'Anna Cheairs, DETROIT BLACK COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY NETWORK INC (DBCFSN) Haven Leeming, Builders Initiative j?n kent, Sanctuary Farms Kate Levin Markel, McGregor Fund Lolita Nunn, Potlikker Capital? Mariela Cede?o, Manzanita Capital Collective,?EFOD Collaborative?(EFOD)? Monica Valdes Lupi, The Kresge Foundation myrtle thompson, Feedom Freedom Growers Olivia Watkins, Black Farmer Fund? Patrice Brown, Urban Agriculture,?City of Detroit Chef Phil Jones, The Black Food Project Renee V. Wallace,?Food Plus Detroit Richard "Lotni" Elm-Hill,?First Nations Development Institute? Dr. Shakara Tyler, Co-Executive Director,?Detroit Black Community?Food Sovereignty Network?(DBCFSN) Winona Bynum,?Detroit Food Policy Council Please read our full Recap of the event below ?? https://lnkd.in/evq76jyA

"Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) has been an invaluable ally. As an organization, SAFSF has played a pivotal role in providing crucial opportunities for learning and staying abreast of key national priorities. This, in turn, has informed and enriched our localized and region-specific program. The fundamental value of the SAFSF network is truly immeasurable, and the in-person experiences have been instrumental in fostering both learning and network building."?-Fabiola Greenawalt, The Russell Family Foundation SAFSF membership offers robust opportunities to strengthen connections, foster collaboration, and build capacity with peers. By joining SAFSF, you'll gain access to networking opportunities, funder educational events, and member-only resources that will enhance your work and deepen your impact. Funders of all kinds - grantmakers, investors, lenders, and other community finance organizations- are invited to apply for membership by Monday, December 2, ensuring your membership is activated at the top of the new year! To schedule a call and learn more about membership benefits, eligibility, and annual dues visit our website below. https://lnkd.in/gux4Y3eR

We are excited to officially announce that the?2025 SAFSF Forum?will be held June 9 - 12, 2025 in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. The SAFSF Forum is a unique gathering for the full spectrum of funders - including philanthropy, investors, and community finance - interested in skill building, networking, and leadership development in food and agriculture. The conference brings together funders, frontline community and movement leaders, and practitioners across the country to come together to advance equity and sustainability in food and agriculture. The 2025 Forum will focus on advancing solutions through a systems change approach, grounded in our theme of Resilience, Justice, and Democracy. We are looking for ideas for workshops and panels, learning dinners, networking and field based learning that explore strategies for systems change across: culture, policy, markets, tools, and capital. We invite you to help shape the Forum by submitting program ideas through our new?Request for Ideas?(RFI). The RFI is designed to be accessible and inclusive, allowing potential collaborators to share their ideas without the need to submit full proposals upfront. By simplifying the submission requirements and engaging a wide range of voices—from frontline communities and movement leaders to funders, government leaders, field-based practitioners, and other stakeholders—we aim to create a program that is representative of diverse perspectives. Submissions for the Forum will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a final close date of?Sunday, January 12, 2025. We encourage you to submit your ideas early! Beyond the 2025 SAFSF Forum, the RFI will remain open throughout the year to gather ongoing input and foster continuous dialogue with our network of collaborators, so the upcoming Forum is just one opportunity to work with us. https://lnkd.in/e2W3GHWa

For over 20 years, SAFSF has been home to hundreds of philanthropic and investment organizations moving capital toward a more just and sustainable food system. ?This has been an exciting year at SAFSF. With a new Strategic Direction forthcoming, we are looking forward to a big year in 2025, including new programs, the return of our popular Annual Forum, and many member-only experiences and resources. We would love to welcome you, your voice and expertise to our community as we usher in a new year. In celebration of an exciting year of growth and change, we want to provide an extra opportunity for you to join our community. Funders of all kinds - grantmakers, investors, lenders and other community finance organizations- are invited to apply for membership by Monday, December 2, ensuring your membership is activated at the top of the new year! SAFSF membership offers robust opportunities to strengthen connections, foster collaboration, and build capacity alongside funding peers. More info below ?? https://lnkd.in/gux4Y3eR

Join us in Detroit, MI on Thursday, November 14 for Health and Wealth: Fostering Healthy Communities and Economic Self-Determination. This one-day event will explore the question:?How can funding for food access, nutrition, and health equity support community self-determination and ignite equitable food economies? We will explore the intersection of health equity, economic development, and food justice to close racial wealth gaps through community-led approaches. Specifically, we will explore and learn from models of healthy food projects, organizations, and networks that?focus on community ownership and asset-building led by and for people of color in and from frontline communities.?The event takes place at the?Detroit Food Commons, a groundbreaking 30,000- square-foot multi-use facility with a?community-owned grocery store, which was conceived of and built by the?DETROIT BLACK COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY NETWORK INC (DBCFSN). Attendees will learn about DBCFSN’s powerful community organizing that led to raising $21 million to build the Detroit Food Commons, and how similar models are emerging across the country. Funders focused on health, community development, and food systems are invited to join us in exploring how we can resource and support communities addressing food and nutrition security through more just and sovereign food economies. ?? Less than 10 spots remain—register to secure?your spot today! https://lnkd.in/evZDCuJ2

Our Executive Director Clare Fox shares reflections from food funders gathered at the Opportunity Finance Network Conference. #OFN40 CC: Locus Reinvestment Fund Akiptan, Inc Feed The Hunger Fund California FarmLink BlueHub Capital Potlikker Capital CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.) Self-Help Credit Union Foodshed Capital New Hampshire Community Loan Fund #FoodLendersNetwork #CDFIs #CommunityFinance #FoodEquity

Food Tank will be hosting an impactful discussion at the San Diego Food + Wine Festival on the future of food on a national level and in our local communities. Food Tank Summits bring together thought leaders in the food movement, including chefs, farmers, civic leaders, activists, authors, and advocates, for discussions aimed to inspire, motivate, and activate positive transformation in food production and consumption. We are thrilled that SAFSF Executive Director, Clare Fox will be a part of the discussion on the role of the funding and donor community in the future of food systems. Join us in person on Saturday, November 2 from 3:30-6:30 PM PT at the KPBS Prebys Media Complex in San Diego, CA. More details below. https://lnkd.in/dxX-MriD

Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a time to honor and celebrate the sovereignty, leadership, and resilience of Tribal Nations. Their knowledge, practices, and traditions have shaped and sustained diverse cultures over generations and continue to offer valuable guidance for how we care for the land, grow food, and build community today. Native leaders are at the forefront of these efforts to build resilient food systems and economies, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to stewarding this sacred Earth. We express gratitude to the Tribal Nations, Native-led Organizations, and Native leaders who have shared their wisdom and leadership with the SAFSF community in spaces like the? Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice and other recent SAFSF gatherings, including First Nations Development Institute, Owámniyomni Okhódayapi , Makoce Agriculture Development,? Native Farm Bill Coalition, and Osage Nation. These Native leaders, along with many others, are doing critical work to nourish Native communities, by advancing food sovereignty and addressing the impacts of climate change. It is a privilege to learn from and stand in solidarity with Native Americans. On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we encourage everyone to take concrete steps in supporting reparative justice and repairing relationships with Native American communities. A key part of this is returning resources and supporting Indigenous-led efforts. SAFSF contributes a portion of our event revenues to local Tribal Nations and/or Native-led organizations. We invite you to contribute to the organizations linked above or other Native-led organizations in your community as a vital way to engage in reparative justice and stand in solidarity with Native communities.? Let this be a reminder that the journey toward justice requires ongoing, meaningful actions to restore what has been taken and uplift Indigenous leadership.

Are you a funder in food and agriculture? SAFSF is accepting applications for a membership by Tomorrow, October 15 and we would love for you to become a part of our community. For over 20 years, SAFSF has been the leading national network for philanthropy and impact investors committed to creating an equitable and sustainable food and agriculture. Our community of 100+ member organizations includes foundations, impact investors, community development finance institutions (CDFIs), funding collaboratives, and re-granting organizations representing every geography and issue area. SAFSF membership offers networking, professional development, and strategic collaboration opportunities. Increase your impact and expand your network by joining SAFSF today.?? To learn more, please visit the page below or connect directly with our Senior Membership Associate, Holly Enowski by email: [email protected]. https://lnkd.in/gux4Y3eR

Join Supply Change Capital next Thursday, October 17 for a presentation of their research on the evolution of the food and ag tech ecosystem in Los Angeles since 2010. Expect to learn innovation trends, diversity stats, who the investor players are, and where there are opportunities for increased investment. In addition to the research presentation, an incredible panel will share their experiences and insights from the field. Panelists include: Noramay Cadena, Supply Change Capital Camilla Marcus, west~bourne Adam Tarshis, Mozza Foods Neal Okarter, BASF Clare Fox, SAFSF https://lu.ma/ty7pdnus