Our Work Frequently Asked Questions
For Grantees
Core Grants
The Core Grants Program supports community-based, grassroots, and frontline organizations, as well as their networks and coalitions, with 501(c)(3) status (or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status).
We define this as a mission-driven organization that builds authentic connection with its constituents and demonstrates a commitment to leadership and engagement within the community as well as its governance and internal practices. For more information, review our Core Grants page.
While we’ve funded international organizations in the past, we don’t have the capacity to accommodate international applicants at this time. As our fund continues to grow, we hope to develop partnerships with more international funders and can revisit opening applications to international community-based organizations in the future.
- The Core Grant Program will open back up in February
- We close application by mid-March
- Our Grant Advisory Committee completes an extensive review by end of April
- Announcements are made by end of May
While you will find eligibility guidelines on our website [hyperlink to eligibility], in summary, we look for the following criteria when evaluating each request:
- Does the project/initiatives directly affect change within food and agricultural systems (e.g. land sovereignty, food security, inclusive economy, water and soil stewardship, climate justice, labor organizing, sustainable/regenerative/reindigenized practices and healing traditions)?
- Is there an organizational analysis of structural and institutional racism in the food and farm system, as well as a clear understanding and strategy as to how the organization works to advance racial equity and justice?
- Is the work of the organization and/or project movement building?
- Does the proposal align with our Fund’s core values?
- Does the organization have capacity to carry out the proposed project?
Our Core Grants range is $15,000 to $50,000 over a one-year term, with $25,000 being a typical funding request amount. The Fund is able to make a very limited number of multi-year commitments for projects requiring long term support. We cap all multi-year requests at a total of $75,000 over two years.
Indirect costs are allowed, but we recommend that they don’t exceed 15% of the total project budget.
The Core Grants program supports the following projects and activities, in no particular order of priority:
- Communications projects that build collective power and connection to and within the food and agricultural systems change movement
- Communications strategy planning
- Communications-based capacity development, e.g. training
- Implementing or upgrading communications infrastructure & tools
- Development of content or creative media and cultural organizing projects/initiatives
- Sourcing short-term communications staffing support or outside consulting
- Strategic narrative development, message framing, and integration
- Campaigns, movement building events, or experiences that use communications/media that build collective power and connection to and within the food and agricultural systems change movement
You can visit our Core Grants page for more details and find additional project examples on our Grantee Partners.
Yes, we do not resource the following projects:
- Academic research
- Capital or endowment campaigns
- Conferences
- Discretionary or emergency requests
- Litigation or legal expenses
- Marketing or branding of for-profit corporation products or services
Your fiscal sponsor must complete and submit an Agreement Letter as part of the online application process. You can access the letter template on the online portal.
Core Grant recipients are asked to submit an Interim (6-month) Report as well as a Final Report upon completion of the 12-month grant term. We allow for a variety of reporting methods- calls, written, and/or video. We provide check-in calls and we request work-in-action photos and video when available.
Absolutely! However, before you do, keep in mind that the Core Grants program is highly competitive. Your organization should carefully review any provided feedback and our funds' updated criteria to ensure that you’re a strong fit for the program.
Due to the large number of LOI submissions, we are unable to provide applicants with specific feedback on LOIs but we do try to provide feedback on declined full proposals when possible.
Yes.
Capacity Grants
We prioritize grassroots organizations with 501(c)(3) status or with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Capacity Grants are intended to provide additional support to organizations led by and serving marginalized communities—including Black, Indigenous, and people of color; farmers; food system workers; fisherfolk; and healers—impacted by powerful and privileged actors in food and farm systems.
Food and Farm Communications Fund is a movement-led participatory grantmaking fund for investing in the work of leaders with a vision for bringing racial equity and economic justice to food and agricultural systems.
For Funders
Food and Farm Communications Fund is a movement-led participatory grantmaking fund for investing in the work of leaders with a vision for bringing racial equity and economic justice to food and agricultural systems.
The field often overlooks the organizations we serve, and pouring resources into their fight for sustainable agriculture in their communities will help strengthen the ecosystem of organizers, activists, and advocates working to protect reindigenized and ecologically resilient agriculture.
Funders play a critical role in the progress of our movements. By committing to a plan to sustainably resource movement organizers, you are developing a strategy that will enable us all to win. This means being a movement partner, making long-term investments in developing organizers' ideas, communications channels, and organizing infrastructure.
We believe in the collective vision of our grantee partners. As members of the very communities that are the essential labor and talent of our food and agricultural systems, these grantees are equipped with first-hand knowledge and insights to build inclusive economic models and invest in community development projects. FFCF’s approach to participatory grantmaking allows us to establish lasting connections rooted in trust and mutual respect within our community.
Our team helps each organization strengthen its communications infrastructure, learn from the FFCF network of movement leaders, and supporting relationship building grounded in their vision and their community so that we can know how to best support them in every phase of their movement building. We do this by being relationship-based, providing technical assistance and communications network resources, so grantee partners feel supported long after the initial investment.
We support a range of narrative projects and training so that organizations can more effectively communicate their purpose and find partners in the field with aligned missions and agendas. While we believe that all of these groups are critical for just food and farm systems to thrive, we prioritize racial equity, and at least 75% of our resources go to leaders of color and the work they support.