The origin story of SAFSF comes out of a dilemma. In the early 1990’s, funders within the Environmental Grantmakers Association debated whether agriculture could align with environmental sustainability goals. Many recognized the ecological damage wrought by industrial agriculture, while others pointed to agroecological and organic farming as a solution. Everyone agreed: our food system impacts natural resources, environmental health, and climate change. Thus began a new organization: Sustainable Agriculture and Food System Funders.
Decades later, the evidence supports the idea that food and farming is responsible for roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and it also offers some of the most powerful levers available for climate solutions. So how do SAFSF members fund environmental issues and climate change today?
Announcing: Our First Data Insights Report for SAFSF Members!
We are thrilled to launch a new series of Data Insights Reports with a deeper look at trends in the Environment and Climate funding among SAFSF members. Every year, SAFSF collects data from our members on their funding scope, annual giving, high-level Areas of Impact, and corresponding sub-areas. Because SAFSF members collectively represent a diverse cross-section of funding in this sector, this self-reported dataset offers a meaningful window into broader trends in sustainable food and agriculture philanthropy and impact investment.
This first report examines how environmental and climate funding is understood and invested in within the SAFSF membership. We hope the insights provided here offer our members perspectives that inform and improve your funding strategy in climate resilience and environmental sustainability, as well as to more climate-focused funders on the dimensions of food and agriculture that drive positive climate outcomes.
Here’s a quick peek at funding trends among SAFSF Members:
- Environmental and climate funding is at a historic high.
- Climate Change remains a top priority for food and agriculture funders.
- Commitment to racial equity and environmental funding go hand in hand.
- National funders are the most likely to fund Environment and Climate.
For more, click the link below for the full report and log in using your SAFSF member account. If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact [email protected].
If you are not currently an SAFSF member, we would love to talk more about what membership could mean for you. Please reach out to Holly Hanes, Membership Manager, to get the conversation started.
SAFSF and Partners at NYC Climate Week
SAFSF is looking forward to hosting and collaborating with partner organizations on two events during NYC Climate Week this September. At The Billion-Dollar Plate: Institutional Procurement As Climate Strategy, SAFSF and Builders Vision will gather food, agriculture, and climate funders for an opportunity to leverage institutional purchasing power to drive climate-resilient land use, strengthen regional food supply chains, and drive measurable reductions in food systems greenhouse gas emissions. This event will launch a two-year initiative building a coordinated national funder strategy on institutional procurement.
SAFSF is also supporting Funders for Regenerative Agriculture, the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Health and Environmental Funders Network, and Ursa Collective to convene Corporate Power and Agrochemicals: Coordinating Funder Strategies and Leverage Points. This discussion will examine how agrochemical corporate power shapes food, farming, climate, biodiversity, public health, and farmer livelihoods, as well as opportunities for greater coordination across key sectors. Both events are invite-only, and we plan to share highlights from each.