A Call to Action: Long-Term Resources
Reverse Call for Proposals
Background
Once again, we are at a moment to double down, deepen into radical resolve for social change, and are demanding a resource commitment now and for future generations. Through this reverse RFP, we are shifting power from the ground up and partnering together to mobilize collective resources for our work. Each of our organizations lead systems, policy, and social justice work led by Black, Indigenous, migrant and other communities of color. We center economic justice, land, food chain and agricultural workers, farmers and other land keepers, movement leaders, and believe in building power with communities. We power our work through regranting and constituent-led resource mobilizing.
Wildseeds Fund
A movement accountable grantmaker, Wildseed’s mission is to advance frontline organizations and narratives that build power and embolden transformative change to our food and agricultural systems through climate, land and labor justice. Wildseeds Fund supports communications strategies, narrative shift and movement infrastructure.
The National Black Food & Justice Alliance (NBFJA)
NBFJA is a coalition of Black-led organizations aimed at cultivating and advancing Black leadership, supporting just and sustainable Black communities, organizing for Black self-determination, and building institutions for Black food sovereignty and liberation. NBFJA provides direct support via democratically governed shared resource models under the Resource Commons and Mutual Aid and Resource Councils.
HEAL (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor) Food Alliance
HEAL is a member-led alliance building collective power for food and farm systems that are nourishing for our families, accessible and affordable for all communities, and fair to the working people who grow, distribute, prepare and serve our food - while protecting the air, water and land we all depend on. HEAL regrants a portion of its annual budget to members, including through Emergency Rapid Response grants to frontline organizations facing climate chaos, political unrest, inflation, and other crises.
Rural Advancement Foundation International
RAFI challenges the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, racially, and ecologically just farm communities. RAFI provides grants to Historically Underserved farmers and ranchers (USDA-defined) with projects that boost farm viability, create new markets, add value to products, optimize resources, or preserve agrarian traditions.
Purpose
We recognize that it is through our collaborative and collective work that we can ensure the power building, coordination and narrative shift within frontline communities affected by climate change and political threat. We believe in mutual aid, and know that caring is currency. The purpose of this reverse RFP is to shift the power dynamic of resource mobilizing to be led and formed by our communities as they have long centered self-determination and understand what is needed in this moment and beyond. We invite foundations and other resource holders to submit proposals in support of our collective work. We are asking for multi-year general operating investments, with a range between $2M - $10M.
Evaluation Criteria
The preferred foundation and resource holding partners will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated experience in supporting BIPOC-led organizations
- A commitment to moving significant multi-year funding to BIPOC communities, demonstrated through previous grantmaking and investing
- A demonstrated practice of high trust philanthropy, supporting communities and organizations to self-determine
- A commitment to centering transformative relationships vs. transactional relationships
- Other requirements:
- A report that illustrates a minimum of 3-years of investments in under-resourced communities and organizations
- Two references that include one current grantee organization
Funders and resource holders should indicate in their proposal which organization they are mobilizing resources to, reasoning for the organization selection, and the amount (multi-year funding ranging between $2M - $10M):
- Wildseeds Fund
- National Black Food and Justice Alliance
- HEAL Food Alliance
- RAFI
Proposals can be submitted in written form, not to exceed 5 pages or video submission speaking to the above list of criteria.
Timelines
Proposals will be accepted between December 5th - January 13th. Please send to your proposals and direct inquiries to apply@wildseedsfund.org.
Review of proposals will take place in January and notifications of collaboration will be sent by January 27, 2025.
As part of our collaborative learning process, we are interested in understanding any challenges or obstacles that may have impacted your ability to submit. If this applies to you, please let us know the reasons via email at info@wildseedsfund.org or request a bilateral meeting to discuss them further.
This reverse RFP was adapted from RINGO, by Davian Gagne, MSW, Founder and President Palitan Consulting & Esperanza Pallana, Executive Director, Wildseeds Fund. We are in deep gratitude for their vision and radical imagination.