OVERVIEW: The Clif Bar Family Foundation supports grassroots groups with inspiring ideas and limited funds. Grantmaking addresses food systems and communities, enhance 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 promotes positive change.
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.
The foundation’s Small Grants program focuses on “protecting Earth's beauty and bounty’ creating a robust, healthy food system; increasing opportunities for outdoor activity; reducing environmental health hazards; and building stronger communities.” It also makes Invitation Only grants to a small number of organizations with which they’ve developed strong working relationships over a number of years. 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.
Grants range from $500 to $1 million. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $3.7 million. Past grantees 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.
The foundation’s small grants application begins with an eligibility quiz. Only US-based 501(c)3 organizations (or groups with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor) are eligible for the foundation’s small grants programs.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Steven Hadac, Horizons Foundation
5025 - 25th Ave NE, Ste 206
Seattle, WA 98105