The future of a resilient, just, and democratic food and agriculture system relies on more connected communities, aligned strategies, and increased resources. SAFSF recognizes the need for diverse capital partners to better coordinate around specific levers of change and regional opportunities, in alignment with the communities they serve. We also hear the need for more candid, strategic, and regionally accessible gatherings that can grow investment in food systems and foster greater alignment within and beyond the funder community. 

To that end, SAFSF members are invited to propose and host ‘Critical Conversations’ around the country in 2027. We want to hear from our members: what are the critical conversations we need to have now and where are we to gather? SAFSF will help shape your ideas into a series of high-quality, field building convenings in 2027. SAFSF is planning for up to 3 convenings with programming (e.g. half day to multi-day experience), and up to 3 community building events (e.g. a meal or happy hour). Number or type of events may change.

This is an opportunity for funders to collaborate with peers to organize and build the field, while leveraging SAFSF’s expertise, legacy, and network of 125+ member organizations. Together, we will co-produce unique and transformative gatherings that move the field forward.

In-person gatherings are designed to:

Here’s how it works: 

While proposals are not required to match the below geographies and topics, recent member surveys indicate strong interest in the following: 

Geographies

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Priority Topic Areas

• Climate and environmental health (including industrial animal agriculture, pesticides, and regenerative agriculture)

• Food as Health (including Food is Medicine and ultra-processed foods)

• Land access, food sovereignty, and equitable land ownership 

• Regional food system infrastructure (including food hubs and supply chain)

• Farm and Food Chain Worker Protections 

• Emerging issues in food systems (e.g., AI, data and technology in food systems, water security, and community ownership models)

• Local and state policy (Including civic engagement and democracy protection)

• Integrated capital, capital innovation, and orchestration for food systems 

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Gathering Types

• Alignment Convening – Defined as 1-2 day event with programmed sessions, meals, and potential for site visits. Designed for learning and strategic conversation, and to include many event elements (see below.) Typically, between 40 and 100 people support more in-depth conversations.
  • Previous examples for inspiration: a full day workshop on equitable food economies in Detroit, a strategic convening on climate and agriculture in Minneapolis, and an integrated capital convening with local food entrepreneurs in Chicago.  
    

• Community Building – A more streamlined event production with a focus on a singular event type, such as a luncheon, networking reception, film screening and panel discussion, or field trip. Designed for community building. These events could be connected to a conference or other event that will likely be a gathering place for the SAFSF community. Attendance depends on format and venue.
  • Previous examples for inspiration: a food justice dinner in Atlanta, a food and agriculture innovation happy hour in Los Angeles, a luncheon on emerging issues in New York City, a conference adjacent reception on Indigenous food systems in Minneapolis.

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Proposal must include:

• Concept: Details on theme and topics, thesis, speakers, event elements, and call to action (if applicable). What is the need for this event and how are you engaging the funding field?  If your gathering is an alignment convening, please describe the event elements (such as workshops, site visits, film screening or performances, welcome reception, etc.)  

• Venue Location: This is not required at the time you submit your idea, but we will count on you to identify and secure a location. If you have places in mind, even if not confirmed, please mention them. 

• Type of Event  
  • Alignment Convening – Defined as 1-2 day event with programmed sessions, meals, and potential for site visits. Designed for strategic conversation. Can include community building events within larger convening. Typically, between 40 and 100 people support more in-depth conversations. 
  • Community Building – Examples include a luncheon, networking reception, film screening and panel discussion, or other event. Designed for community building. Attendance depends on format and venue. 
  • Other (please specify)

• Attendee Count for the event

• Audience—Who is the target audience and what is the process for invitations?” This keeps it high level. The details will be addressed if they fill out the form.

• Budget Template and Structure—Here you will find two Budget Templates. One budget is for an Alignment Convening, and the other is for a Community Building event. Also included are sample formats for each gathering type. These are meant as examples only: the Budget Templates should be adjusted to reflect your gathering’s goals, size, and preferred features. Please note that certain budget line items are required, but costs may vary. We have provided you budget guidance based on SAFSF’s experience in event production. Please fill out the Budget Template for your event as honestly and accurately as possible. For selected events, the final budget will be determined in collaboration with SAFSF.

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Proposal and Event Guidelines

• SAFSF Members may submit proposals for 2027 Gatherings. 

• Each proposal must have at least two (2) SAFSF members as co-hosts. Extra points will be given for proposals coming from 3 or more SAFSF members, and from proposals that include a foundation as a co-host. 

• Non-member funders may also be listed as hosts for the event. 

• Events can be open to funders or non-funders but we encourage proposals to focus on engaging and educating funder audiences and consider the types of environments that enable honest and transparent discussions. 

• Each event is highly encouraged to include an aspect that builds connections between SAFSF members.

• To ensure these events serve the SAFSF membership community, events must reserve 50% of tickets for funders. 

• Events are non-solicitation/non-pitch environments and must follow SAFSF Community Agreements.

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Selection Criteria

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Process Timeline

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Budget Requirements

• All event production costs must be paid by co-hosts either directly to vendors or through SAFSF.

• The sample budget is a suggested starting point for understanding the true costs associated with event production. You can view the budget as a “menu of options” for event production, and the event can be scaled up or down according to needs. 

• In your proposal, you will indicate what you see as the core components for the event and budget. Upon agreeing to work together, that core budget will be the mutual expectation. The exact dollar amounts may vary in execution, but we will work to manage event costs to the expected budget and communicate with you when event costs exceed budget expectations. 

• SAFSF requires a management fee to partner on the development and production of the event. This fee covers the estimated number of hours invested by our team to bring to life a thoughtful, impactful event. The fee schedule is based on the size and requirements of the event, is additional to membership dues, and is non-negotiable. This fee can be processed as a grant, tax deductible donation, or added to membership dues when renewing (for this option, membership must be renewed by December 31, 2026.)

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