Donor Reflections

Lisa, what do you see as important and distinctive about BAV’s work to strengthen small farms and our local food system? 

For farmers everywhere, it is economic viability and access to land that are two of the biggest barriers, but that is especially true in the Berkshires. BAV’s focus on access to capital and financial technical assistance are critical needs for small farms that don’t qualify for traditional governmental and commercial agriculture financing. I appreciate the relationships and deep knowledge of the region that BAV has - which is a key element of “trust based philanthropy” - recognizing that the nonprofits on the ground are the experts in their communities, not the donors. “Giving and getting out of the way” empowers the organizations to make decisions about how to best achieve their mission.

In addition, BAV’s attention to infrastructure, such as critical local processing through the Local Meat Processing Support Program, is another reason I am a proud supporter of the organization. After decades spent working in the so called “food movement,” it has become clear that the fundamental solution to the current disastrous paradigm is a robust regional food system, and so BAV is a key actor in promoting such a healthy, just, and resilient community. 

Your foundation has made a significant commitment to BAV with a multiple-year gift. Could you talk a bit about what motivates that generous giving? 

Having served for many years on the board of small nonprofits, I realize how much time is spent fundraising, and how challenging it is to budget beyond the next fiscal year. Unrestricted multi-year grants also free up the Executive Director to do the work they were hired to do in the first place.

Along with taking an administrative burden off of the organization, multi-year grants are key components of what is now termed “trust based philanthropy.” My family foundation was founded on the Quaker principles of my great grandfather, and has always operated with the values of equality, integrity, simplicity, community and stewardship of the Earth. We never required onerous applications, reporting or metrics - and our grants are for general operating, unless requested otherwise.

You have talked with BAV about your passion for regenerative agriculture, small farms, and regional economies. Can you tell us more about what inspires you in these areas? Why are they priorities for you – why do they matter?

Growing up, I was steeped in the values of “Small is Beautiful”; my mother was the longest serving board member of the Schumacher Center, so the Berkshires hold a special place in my heart - not least because my daughter and her family live in Great Barrington. So the belief in local economies were ingrained and incorporated into my family foundation from its beginning. Additionally, an early cancer diagnosis motivated me to pursue the links between human health and the environment - which ultimately led to regenerative agriculture.

As a result, since my parents both passed away, under my leadership the foundation has come to focus almost exclusively on organizations that support regenerative agricultural practices and environmental justice efforts - centering the needs of indigenous, BIPOC and female farmers - focusing on both access to capital and to land. Aside from decreasing toxins in our environment, regenerative agriculture (which it must be noted is not a new concept invented by white people) and holistically managed grazing have the potential to mitigate the climate crisis, increase soil health, restore biodiversity as well as to feed its community.

Your foundation takes a trust-based approach to philanthropy. Could you share more about that approach and the foundation’s giving philosophy?

In my view, donors should exercise their privilege to take more risks - and take the long view in both their granting and investments. In recent years, all of our grants and investments have resulted from relationships - not applications - and transparency and support beyond the check is part of those relationships. 

Flexibility to respond to emergencies (such as the freezing of federal grants and the cessation of SNAP benefits) is another hallmark of our approach, as is utilizing all the tools available in addition to traditional granting. Zero and low interest loans, loan guarantees, recoverable grants, bridge loans, Program Related Investments - all result in answering the needs of our partners. Foundations and DAF’s, or Donor Advised Funds, could increase their impact by using mission-aligned regenerative principles with their investing as well as with their granting. It makes absolutely no sense to me to be investing the foundation’s assets in extractive companies and then granting to remediate the damage. 

I would also urge other donors to invest in infrastructure, as the consolidation and corporation of our farming and food systems have resulted in the loss of critical local processing, packaging and distribution.  

Finally, it’s important that any philanthropic investing expect a fair - as opposed to market rate - return that reflects the true cost of justice, sustainability and resilience. In other words, we should be prioritizing a Return On Impact instead of a Return On Investment.

What do you see as the key challenges our region faces at this time? What are some ways that individuals and communities can meet the moment and make an impact?

It’s imperative to acknowledge this moment and the continuing pain and chaos that is being felt not only in the Berkshires but across the planet. In addition to all the natural disasters, this disastrous man-made crisis calls us all to step up and build a community safety net based more on mutuality. 

While our individual choices are not going to end world hunger, poverty or environmental destruction, the choices we make as eaters on a daily basis do make a cumulative difference. By not only voting at the polls, but voting with your fork - supporting and knowing your farmer and where your food comes from, how it was raised, who harvested it, and buying local products as much as possible, eating at restaurants that procure local ingredients, transitioning to a vegetable-forward diet, composting and minimizing food waste - all these are effective in countering our nation’s corporate supply chains and consolidated food and agriculture industries.

Of course, growing your own food - and sharing it with those who don’t have the resources or access to fresh food - is the ultimate act of resistance. We need all the collaboration, creativity, and shared commitment to long-term impact we can muster.

Thank you so much, Lisa, for your support and these wonderful reflections!