Partner with us
Food First works as the connective tissue in partnerships — the coordination, administration, and knowledge work that often goes unfunded and undone. If you are building something and need that layer, we may be able to help.
What we can do with you
Fiscal sponsorship
If your group does not have its own nonprofit status, we can receive and administer funds on your behalf so you can apply for grants and accept donations.
Grant applications
We co-develop and lead applications on behalf of coalitions, including the writing, the budget, and the reporting that follows.
Technical assistance
Financial planning, legal structures and bylaws, measurement, and storytelling — the professional support that is often out of reach for small organizations.
Coordination and reporting
For projects spanning several institutions, we handle partner coordination, measurement, and reporting so everyone else can do the actual work.
Who we work with
Grassroots and community-based organizations
Cooperatives, farmer groups, and food justice organizers, particularly those led by and rooted in the communities most affected.
Universities and research institutions
Where community-based research needs a partner who can hold the relationships and translate findings into something usable.
Funders
Foundations looking to reach frontline groups that may not be set up to receive institutional grants directly.
What we don’t do
We are not a large grantmaker, and we do not run food distribution or direct services. If that is what you need, we are glad to point you toward organizations that do.
Start a conversation
Tell us what you are building and where you are stuck. We will reply shortly.