Echoes Across Seasons: Reflecting on the SAFSF Forum
This summer, we gathered on the sovereign land Santa Ana Pueblo and learned from Tribal, grassroots, and movement leaders. Our gathering coincided with the violent descent of ICE, and armed military forces in Los Angeles, as hundreds of innocent people were abducted and detained simply for the color of their skin, the language they speak, and their vocation. This was the beginning of a summer of increased political violence, disinformation campaigns, and an attack on frontline communities as well as on the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. We heard from hundreds of our colleagues about the devastating impacts of stalled and…
Making The Case: Why Explore Integrated Capital?
Are you a grantmaker or philanthropist interested in joining the SAFSF Integrated Capital Community of Practice, but need to make the case to the Board, family members, or other leaders in your organization? Or perhaps you aren’t entirely sure that learning integrated capital strategies applies to your charitable impact? Here are some ways to respond to common questions, and make the case for why your participation in the Integrated Capital Community of Practice is a worthwhile investment. “My foundation is focused on our impact through grantmaking. Why would we explore integrated capital approaches?” Traditional grants are powerful, but they often…
Pooled Funds 101: How Collective Funding Increases Impact
Many members of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF), a national network of nearly 115 diverse capital partners investing in food and agriculture, are responding to the urgency of the moment brought on by slashed federal budgets, while others are still assessing their response. While some funders have deployed rapid response grants or increased funding for grantees who are impacted by federal cuts, others are looking at pooled funds as a more nimble and responsive vehicle to increase impact. Pooled funds can reduce individual and organizational risk (reputational, financial, legal, and otherwise) because you are moving together, not alone.…
Trump signs “Megabill” into law, threatening food security and healthcare for millions
This piece unpacks the passage of H.R.1, aka the “One Big Beautiful Act”, and what it signals for those funding food, agriculture, and community power in this political moment. For questions or to continue the conversation, contact Maggie Mascarenhas, SAFSF Public Policy Manager. In early July, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and President Trump managed to unite their fractious trifecta in D.C. behind a reconciliation package that slashes trillions of dollars in federal funds that support millions of poor and working class people, rural economies, and the environment in favor of disproportionate tax cuts for the…
2025 SAFSF Forum Recap
Opening Keynote + Plenary | Integrated Capital Main Stage Event | Closing Keynote + Plenary | Field Days | Key Takeaways | Continue the Conversation | Forum Gallery A Transformative Gathering to Redefine the Future of Food Systems Philanthropy The 2025 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) Forum was a groundbreaking event on the sacred lands of Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. More than 360 attendees—from 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the UK—came together for SAFSF’s largest and first-ever sold-out conference. This one-of-a-kind convergence challenged assumptions and amplified bold strategies to address the intersecting crises of our time—climate disruption,…
SAFSF On the Road Recap: Atlanta
Earlier this month, we continued our SAFSF On The Road series in Atlanta, Georgia! A group of 27 SAFSF members, diverse capital partners, community advocates, and local nonprofit leaders joined us for an evening dinner, complete with Southern cuisine from Marcus Bar + Grille and a discussion with food justice advocates. Since early 2024, SAFSF has convened a cohort of funders and leaders at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to explore ways to unlock more investment for historically underserved producers and communities in the South, a critical region to catalyze food systems change. What started as an avenue to…
Q&A with Bill Green, Executive Director of The Common Market Southeast
Bill explains how the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS) positively impacted The Common Market Southeast and its ecosystem of family farmers and community partners. While the programs are ending, they helped catalyze the local food distributor’s mission of building small farmer capacity. How was Common Market Southeast using LFPA and/or LFS funding? Were there specific programs you were able to create or expand? The LFPA and LFS programs have had a catalytic effect on The Common Market’s mission in the Southeast, and as proof of concept of how intentional investment in…
Your Leadership Matters Right Now—Response to Federal Funding Freeze
Clare Fox, SAFSF Executive Director, discusses how the network is partnering with other funder networks and PSOs, seizing immediate opportunities to address the federal funding freeze, and outlining calls to action across the full capital spectrum. 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…
Job Announcement: Membership and Engagement Director
The application period for this position has closed. Position Overview Sustainable Agriculture and Food System Funders (SAFSF) is seeking a Membership and Engagement Director to develop and execute strategies to cultivate, attract, retain, and engage diverse capital partners as members of SAFSF. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Membership and Engagement Director is responsible for increasing net membership and retention while driving revenue growth from membership dues. They will oversee membership engagement events and initiatives, track and evaluate member engagement, serve as a connector and thought partner for members, and steward an overall welcoming and inspiring member experience. A successful…
Member Moments: Dirt Capital Partners
Dirt Capital Partners joined SAFSF in 2023, and since then their staff have been active members and leaders of our community, hear their stories below. “I attended the SAFSF conference in Pittsburgh in 2019 without really knowing much about the organization, and I was impressed by the open and equity-oriented community with a lot of thought leadership. Since founding Dirt Capital Partners in 2014, we have tested out models and worked with countless farmers to inform the work we do all across the US today. Participating in SAFSF’s Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice in 2022 and recommending Amanda to participate…
