OVERVIEW: The Clif Bar Family Foundation supports grassroots groups with inspiring ideas and limited funds. Grantmaking addresses food systems and communities, enhances public health, and safeguard our environment and natural resources.
IP TAKE: The foundation prioritizes applicants that address the foundation’s funding priorities from a holistic perspective; those which operate with clearly defined objectives and viable plans to achieve them; and which demonstrate strong community ties and operate at the community level, and promote positive change.
On the surface, this appears to be an accessible funder with an online grant application process that’s clear cut. However, its grants are competitive. As well, it prioritizes small and mid-sized organizations, rather than larger, established ones, so smaller outfits have more traction here.
PROFILE: Established in 2006, the Clif Bar Family Foundation was launched by Kit Crawford and her husband Gary Erickson, who founded Clif Bar. The foundation supports grassroots groups with inspiring ideas and limited funds. Grantmaking addresses innovative small and mid-sized groups working to strengthen food systems and communities, enhance public health, and safeguard the environment and natural resources.
Grants for Environmental Conservation, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
The foundation’s environmental giving focuses predominantly on Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture. It conducts related grantmaking through its Grants Program, which focuses on efforts to “protect Earth’s beauty and bounty,” “increase opportunities for outdoor activity,” and “reduce environmental health hazards.” Grants are for general operational support as well as for specific projects. In 2009, the foundation launched a special initiative called Seed Matters, which advocates for the protection and improvement of organic seed by working for policies that conserve crop genetic diversity, protect farmers’ roles and rights as seed innovators and stewards, and reinvigorate public seed research and education.
Past grantees in this space include 1000 Friends of Iowa, which “focuses on land use education, uniting Iowans to protect farmland and natural areas, and revitalizing neighborhoods, towns and cities”; Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Oregon Environmental Council and Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks. Other grantees related to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems include the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, which “helps returning veterans find training and employment on America’s farms”; Sustainable Markets Foundation, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Ceres Community Project and Organic Seed Alliance.
Grants for Community Development
Clif Bar’s Grants for community development prioritize programs that “build stronger communities.” Past grantees include Greensprings Learning Community, National Interscholastic Cycling Association, Community Resources for Science and Occidental Arts and Ecology Center.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $500 to $1 million. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $3.7 million.
The foundation’s grants application begins with an eligibility quiz. Only U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations or groups with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor are eligible for the foundation’s small grants programs. Operational Support program grants are reviewed three times a year. Application deadlines for this program generally fall on February 1, June 1, and October 1.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Steven Hadac, Horizons Foundation
5025 25th Ave NE, Ste 206
Seattle, Washington 98105
What Grantees Tell GrantAdvisor: