Declinations and Withdrawals
October 16, 2013 – February 15, 2014
Note: The date listed below for each declination indicates when the Foundation received the request.
Kolu:
Food Family Farming Foundation6/7/2013
4810 Riverbend Road
Boulder, CO 80301
General support to provide schools across the country with tools and resources to procure locally and regionally sourced food in order to incorporate sustainable agriculture into school food programs.
Comment: This proposal, while advancing food system change, does not conform with our movement building approach. The proposal would support online procurement tools, financial templates, and the like. Not a good fit (KZ).
Population served:
Don’t know
Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming5/16/2013
PO Box 6679
Ithaca, NY 14851
Program support for the beginning farmer training program, called the Sustainable Farming Certificate Program, that includes farm incubator and land access programs that focus on engaging beginning and aspiring farmers across differences of race, place, class, and culture. To better meet the needs of diverse beginning farmers in a wider geographical region, the program, which runs from May to October (when it is difficult for trainees from the NYC region and other upstate regions to fully participate due to time and travel constraints), will be re-organized to offer shorter, more intensive chunks of training in order to continue increasing the number of urban and other farmers in the Northeast who would like to access farm-based training. This will be undertaken in partnership with other training programs, such as Just Food’s Farm School NYC.
Comment: The Foundation has supported a range of beginning and new farmer and rancher programs over the decades. However, as public sector funding for such programs has been won, and as other foundation funders enter the field, our support for such programs has narrowed. Our most recent grantee that falls in this category of activity is the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS), in New Hampshire. ORIS not only helps immigrants enter farming, it is run by immigrants and refugees and provides an array of programming that addresses its constituents’ needs beyond its farm incubation and marketing program - including youth leadership development and advocacy. However, the fact that the program is being redesigned to better accommodate downstate aspiring farmers, including people of color, speaks well for it. Perhaps, though my role with Community Food Funders (CFF) focuses on transforming New York City’s food shed to make it more ecologically, socially and economically sustainable, I may share information about this request to others able to explore and potentially support their programming (KZ).
Population served:
Various racial/ethnic groups
Heifer Project International5/6/2013
P.O. Box 808
Little Rock, AR 72203
Project support to help broad-based community coalitions design and implement community-owned food systems to provide sustainable livelihoods and improve the environment by implementing responsible agricultural practices in Arkansas and Appalachia.
Comment: Heifer is a 140 million dollar international organization and its US strategy has undergone changes in the last five years or so. During that time it could have adopted a strategy, as some of its staff suggested, of not simply replicating its international strategies around social capital development, gender equity and “Passing on the Gift” in US low-income communities that still have strong land-based cultures. In light of the important role played by US trade and agricultural policies in shaping the structural conditions that support or undermine low-income people’s land tenure and agency globally, it might have adopted a strategy that also included building capacity for policy advocacy. Under such conditions, Heifer might have been an appealing and competitive grant applicant. However, while this proposal aims to help individuals and families, it does not attempt to build critical analysis and agency around systemic change (KZ).
Population served:
Don’t know
New Orleans Food & Farm Network10/28/2013
4840 Banks Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
General operating support to develop a sustainable supply of local produce by identifying interested urban farmers, building their business/growing capacities, and winning supportive policies regarding vacant land and urban agriculture, initially targeting four New Orleans neighborhoods.
Comment: Founded in 2002, NOFFN appears to have a good collaborative model, whereby it works with local groups to build capacity for backyard and vacant lot gardening. However, it does not mention any of the movement building strategies of raising awareness about building community-controlled food systems, organizing and leadership development that help ensure that good projects for providing good food also translate into a base of powerfully engaged people who can act on a range of issues. In addition, after looking through NOFFN’s website, I see no evidence that it meets our definition of larger than local - which would be important. As a national funder, we only fund locally when the impact of that funding can be felt at the state, regional, or national levels because the local group brings its leadership into wider coalitions or networks (KZ).
Population served:
Various racial/ethnic groups
Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia6/5/2013
1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Program support to launch and implement community organizing strategies that will foster a united, constituent-led food justice movement in Philadelphia, affecting positive reforms for land security, particularly for long-term residents living in disinvested communities.
Comment: PILC of Philly has developed a solid model for catalyzing grassroots gardening around policy changes that will protect the gardens into the future that involves organizing, education, network development, and advocacy. I have spoken at length with the leadership of the initiative and the executive director, and personally know the organizer. I explained the current Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems priority area policy whereby the Foundation funds local work only when it is 1) led by people of color and 2) meets our criteria for being “larger than local.” It seems that this project does not meet those criteria. However, if something changes and they want to press the case, they know they are welcome to resubmit (KZ).
Population served:
African American
The Boukman Institute5/24/2013
P.O. Box 6236
Peoria, IL 61601
Project support for River City Farm, in Peoria IL, which will transform an urban space into beautiful and nourishing farmland.
Comment: This organization describes itself as a think tank and focuses on the critical knowledge needed to address socio-economic and cultural studies critical to the well-being of African American people. It identified the need to build an urban farm as a “hybrid” social enterprise that would serve the community by demonstrating a regenerative approach to urban development. The project is intended to become self-sustaining through sales. My concerns about this proposal are: that the website of the organization does not indicate any ongoing programs or work; it does not appear to be part of any identifiable food justice or environmental justice movement formations that would allow me to consider its work as “larger than local,” there is no indication of the community needs that would be addressed by the projects; there is no discussion of the groups view of organizing, advocacy or leadership development (all key strategies supported by the Foundation). Finally, the budget information suggests very weak capacity. The organizational budget is listed as $5,000 while the project budget is $15,000 (KZ).
Population served:
African American
Millie:
Bay Area Environmental Health Collaborative8/22/2013
BAEHC c/o RAMP,
180 Grand Ave., Suite 750
Oakland, CA 94612
General support for BAEHC’s ongoing education and advocacy to improve health and wellness, reduce pollution exposure, and empower residents in overburdened and underserved communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California.
Comment:This is a broad coalition, ranging from chapters of large national organizations such as the American Lung Association to community-based groups and coalitions of those groups, working primarily in the San Francisco area. Our funds are needed more by groups on the ground to enable them to participate equally in coalitions such as this one. In addition, it can attract funding from the large California-based health funders (MB).
Population served:
Various racial/ethnic groups
Center for Biological Diversity Inc9/20/2013
P. O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
Project support for the Pesticides Reduction Campaign to secure programmatic changes in the pesticide registration process and to stop toxic pesticides from contaminating our environment.
Comment: This is a national organization with an $8 million-plus budget that works for change in DC through science, advocacy and mobilization. They are correct when they note that the hazards they fight have disproportionate impact on low-income communities, but they are not part of the Center’s decision-making structure. It is not a fit for us (MB).
Population served:
Don’t know
Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice8/20/2013
P.O. Box 33124
Riverside, CA 92519
General support for a progressive, multi-issue, grassroots organization working in southern California.
Comment: CCAEJ is part of coalitional work in California, including state environmental policy and goods movement impacts, but it is primarily a local organization. It has a large budget for an organization with its geographic scope, and while it would be a group to consider if we had more funds, there are others with less access that are a higher priority (MB).
Population served:
Don’t know
Citizens Coal Council7/2/2013
P.O. Box 964
Washington, PA 15301
General support to build a base of support for a National Longwall Mining Reform Campaign.
Comment: We funded Citizens Coal Council some years ago when it was a hub bringing together groups working on coal extraction, centered in Appalachia but with some participation from western states. At this point, there is more energy and diversity in efforts focused broadly on extreme energy sources and climate justice, in networks with a movement focus and an mission that includes efforts to help define a sustainable economy beyond fossil fuel extraction. CCC remains narrowly focused on specific laws, agencies and technologies, as evidenced by this campaign addressing a destructive but narrowly focused industrial process. It has not developed a strong movement analysis (MB).
Population served:
Don’t know
Corporate Ethics International9/13/2013
P.O. Box 2401
Suisun City, CA 94585
To build the Indigenous Resources Network to assemble and create resources that will support Indigenous communities in both defending their lands against extraction industries and in developing self-determination plans.
Comment: Corporate Ethics International is a technical assistance provider that helps groups,communities, networks and foundations develop corporate campaigns. It is working with the Indigenous Environmental Network on a resource designed specifically for indigenous communities internationally. While this is not a fit for our community-based approach, it is a resource worth knowing about. CEI is in the midst of some internal changes. I hope to keep informed about this project so I can share information with groups in the field as appropriate (MB).
Population served:
Native American/Alaska Native/Indigenous descendant
Environmental Health Coalition1/17/2013
2727 Hoover Avenue
Suite 202
National City, CA 91950
General operating support to advance a grassroots state policy agenda to improve the health and quality of life in six environmental justice organizations throughout California dedicated to organizing and building power within low-income communities and communities of color most impacted by environmental pollution, and to win policies at the regional, state and federal levels that protect the environment and public health.
Comment: This is a good set of groups, but in the final analysis this coalition needs our limited funds less than new, struggling players in the field. It should have access to some of the large California environmental health money. A regretful declination (MB).
Population served:
Various racial/ethnic groups
Global Exchange8/20/2013
2017 Mission Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94110
Program support for the Community Rights Program to assist communities to pass laws that place the rights of residents and nature over the interests of corporations to halt hydraulic fracturing projects, ban GMOs and corporate water theft throughout California and beyond.
Comment: This is a well-respected human rights organization with international reach and a human rights framework. The program for which it seeks support is to network groups, especially those fighting fracking in California. Like Global Exchange’s ally and Noyes grantee CELDF, this organization promotes stronger regulation of corporations, including community control, values that many of our groups share. However, our funding is needed more by community-based groups fighting energy extraction of all kinds (MB).
Population served:
Various racial/ethnic groups
Kentucky Environmental Foundation10/15/2013
P.O. Box 467
Berea, KY 40403
General support for environmental justice education and advocacy to reduce exposure t
Comment: We funded the chemical weapons cleanup work of this organization for several years in the past. With limited funds, now is not the time to bring them back in. There are other organizations that offer interesting new opportunities when space opens up (MB).
Population served:
Don’t know
Various racial/ethnic groups
Louisiana Bucket Brigade9/12/2013
4226 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
General support for an Emergency Response Team after petrochemical accidents that conducts door-to-door health surveys, and trains residents to report issues in order to document and publicize health impacts of accidents, and to change the narrative about the local petrochemical industry.
Comment: We funded this organization in the past for its technical assistance work in Louisiana. It never developed a strong pattern of new leadership development. In addition, it has access to funds from larger foundations, including several that provide much larger grants. There are other organizations to which our funding would be more crucial (MB).
Population served:
Various racial/ethnic groups
Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE)10/2/2013
438 N. Skinker
St. Louis, MO 63112
General support to create a sustainable economy in St. Louis by challenging Peabody Energy’s role in the local economy and organizing a green workers association that is fighting for green jobs and workplace justice.
Comment: This is an organization with interesting campaigns, making strong connections between workers and community activists concerned about economy, climate and environment in the home town of Peabody Energy, one of the giants of corporate pollution and worker mistreatment. Through a Network of Environmental Workers and a ballot initiative, it is helping frame the energy fight as about jobs in a positive way. We do not have funds to support this group at this point, and there are other possible grantees that would fit slightly better, so we are turning it down at this time. However, MORE is a member of Right to the City Alliance, and we will be keeping an eye on the work for future possibilities (MB).
Population served:
Don’t know
Ohio Citizen Action Education Fund11/5/2013
614 W. Superior Ave, STE 1200
Cleveland, OH 44113
General support to pragmatically fight fracking by focusing on the most egregious practices and legal faults in Ohio.
Comment: Ohio Citizen Action is one of a number of state Citizen Action organizations that mobilize residents within their geographic area around issues of importance to them. This request is specifically for work on fracking in Ohio. They launch good campaigns, but they do not do the deep organizing and leadership development among those most impacted that are the focus of our environmental justice priority (MB).
Population served:
Don’t know
Shale Justice: A Coalition of Organizations United for the Environment7/2/2013
P.O.Box 1
Lewisburg, PA 17837
General support to build a grassroots coalition working to secure a just and healthy future in the face of the unbridled growth of “fracking,” a process fraught with environmental injustices throughout rural communities in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale.
Comment: This is an important issue, and we have been funding community-based groups working on oil and gas for a number of years, including some who were working on other energy issues and added fracking when it came to their communities. In recent years, this industry has become a huge issue in the NE, attracting the attention of more NE based environmental funders who had not earlier addressed extraction issues. After investigation, I believe our funding is needed more in other places, particularly by less-connected community-based groups (MB).
Population served:
Don’t know
Southeast Asian Community Alliance9/24/2013
970 N. Broadway, Suite 209
Los Angeles, CA 90012
General support for work with youth, local residents, and other allies to organize and craft policies that promote economic revitalization, environmental sustainability, and equitable development.
Comment: This is one of several small Los Angeles groups working together on issues of environmental justice and economic sustainability in their communities. This group’s focus on building leadership among youth is exciting, but we unfortunately do not have the funds to support groups at this very local level (MB).
Population served:
Asian/Pacific Islander
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy12/2/2013
P.O. Box 1842
Knoxville, TN 37901
General support to mobilize Southern student activists to pressure the Southeast’s dirtiest utilities to stop fueling the climate crisis and provide just climate solutions to our region.
Comment: This is a campus-based effort to mobilize students to address climate change through a campaign for increased renewable energy policies in Southern states. It is part of a nationwide student-led Energy Action Coalition. While it is a good group, and brings energy and allies to some of the fights led by our grantees and their movements, it is not based in impacted communities, nor does it take leadership and direction from them, so it is not quite a fit for us (MB).
Population served:
Don’t know