Over $23 million has been awarded to more than 360 nonprofits by the Clif Bar Foundation since 2006, prioritizing grassroots organizations with budgets under $3 million that focus on equitable, resilient food systems and environmental health. You can apply twice a year for operational or project funding, but success depends on how well your work aligns with their justice and climate-centered priorities—making understanding their strategic focus essential.
Key Takeaways
- Clif Bar Foundation grants support U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits focusing on transforming food systems, environmental revitalization, and community health.
- Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, awarded twice yearly with deadlines on March 1 and August 1, for general operating or specific project costs.
- Priority funding areas include regenerative and organic farming, farmworker health and safety, climate justice, food access, and environmental stewardship.
- The foundation emphasizes funding grassroots organizations with budgets under $3 million, requiring strong community ties and alignment with justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Two grant types exist: Open Call Grants available through application, and By Invitation Only Grants for nonprofits aligned closely with strategic priorities.
Overview of Clif Family Foundation’s Mission and Vision
Although the Clif Family Foundation was established in 2006, it has since committed itself to transforming food systems, revitalizing the environment, and enhancing community health to foster a sustainable future.
You’ll find their vision centers on creating a healthy, just, and ecologically thriving world for all people by emphasizing *community engagement* as the driving force for systemic change.
They prioritize justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, recognizing these as critical to meaningful progress.
Strategic Funding Priorities for 2024
Because the Clif Family Foundation believes lasting change begins at the grassroots, their 2024 strategic funding priorities are laser-focused on supporting initiatives that build resilient, equitable food systems, safeguard environmental health, and empower historically marginalized communities.
You’ll find funding for sustainable agriculture, regenerative and organic farming, and projects that improve food production workers’ health and safety. The foundation prioritizes community empowerment, healthy food access, climate justice, and inclusive outdoor access.
Grants target grassroots organizations driving systemic change, ensuring resources reach those most in need. Your work in these areas aligns perfectly with their mission to create a just, thriving world.
Regenerative and Organic Farming Practices Supported
You’re already building resilient food systems and empowering communities—now let’s focus on the farming practices that make those goals possible.
The Clif Family Foundation supports regenerative practices that restore soil health, improve biodiversity, and foster ecological balance. Their grants emphasize organic benefits, avoiding synthetic pesticides to protect farmworkers and ecosystems alike.
They prioritize equitable farming models that uplift historically marginalized groups while improving health and safety for food production workers.
Enhancing Health and Safety for Food Production Workers
You can count on the Clif Family Foundation to back efforts that boost worker safety and push for justice in food production.
They fund initiatives that not only improve conditions but also empower farmworkers, recognizing their essential role in sustainable food systems.
Worker Safety Improvements
While the Clif Family Foundation recognizes that systemic change is essential, it actively champions the health and safety of food production workers by funding organizations that advocate for just living conditions and empower the workforce.
Worker safety and farmworker health are at the heart of its mission. You can see real impact through:
- Grants supporting safe, healthy, and empowering working conditions
- Initiatives that address systemic issues in food production
- Partnerships that expand access to resources and support for farmworkers
The foundation’s work guarantees that every worker thrives in a just, healthy environment.
Empowerment and Justice
Because mainstream food systems often marginalize workers, the Clif Family Foundation centers empowerment and justice by funding efforts that improve the rights, health, and safety of food production workers.
You’ll find that the foundation prioritizes food sovereignty and social equity by supporting initiatives that secure just living and working conditions and amplify marginalized voices.
By fostering regenerative and organic farming practices, they promote safer, healthier environments.
They integrate equitable climate action strategies tailored to protect workers’ well-being while advancing systemic change that empowers historically excluded communities within the food system.
Community-Centered Climate Justice Initiatives
You’re at the forefront of community-driven climate justice, where empowering marginalized groups guarantees resilience efforts are equitable and effective.
By centering local voices, you help build tailored solutions that address the systemic inequalities embedded in climate impacts.
Supporting sustainable food systems becomes a strategic way to safeguard vulnerable populations while fostering long-term environmental health.
Empowering Marginalized Communities
In terms of tackling climate change, the Clif Family Foundation puts marginalized communities at the heart of the solution, backing initiatives that build resilience and empower those most affected by environmental challenges.
You’ll see their commitment in these key ways:
- They promote community empowerment by collaborating with local organizations to create tailored climate solutions rooted in the communities’ unique needs.
- They guarantee equitable practices by involving disadvantaged groups directly in decision-making, ensuring their voices guide climate action.
- They improve sustainability in food systems to enhance healthy food access, delivering economic justice and community ownership.
Equitable Climate Resilience
| Focus Area | Target Group | Impact Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworker Justice | Food production workers | Inclusive climate resilience |
| Food Systems | Low-income communities | Sustainable, equitable access |
| Community Health | Disadvantaged areas | Resilience & empowerment |
Improving Access to Healthy, Affordable, and Culturally Appropriate Food
While many communities still struggle to find nutritious food that fits their cultural needs, the Clif Family Foundation actively backs initiatives that break down these barriers. They focus on combating food deserts and advancing nutritional education to improve equitable food access.
You’ll see their grant support aimed at:
- Making sustainably produced food affordable and culturally appropriate for historically marginalized communities.
- Promoting equitable food distribution practices to guarantee healthy food reaches disadvantaged areas.
- Funding projects expanding local access to nutritious options that honor diverse cultural diets.
This work transforms food systems and supports healthier, more just communities.
Expanding Inclusive Access to Safe Outdoor Spaces
Because safe outdoor spaces significantly improve physical activity and mental health, the Clif Family Foundation invests in projects that expand inclusive access to these environments, especially for historically marginalized communities.
You can create lasting change by prioritizing community engagement in planning and maintaining outdoor spaces. The foundation supports outdoor programming that meets local needs, fosters social interaction, and encourages environmental stewardship.
Overview of Grant Programs: Open Call and By Invitation Only
You can apply for Open Call Grants twice a year by March 1 and August 1, and you’ll hear back about the results roughly four months later.
These grants cover general operating support or specific projects, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for one year.
If your nonprofit aligns with the foundation’s key priorities, you might also be considered for By Invitation Only grants, which focus on critical issues like farmworker justice, health, and equitable food access.
Open Call Grants
To successfully engage with these nonprofit partnerships, consider these key points:
- Your organization must be a 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored nonprofit with an operating budget under $3 million.
- Apply by March 1 or August 1; decisions come about four months later.
- Grants typically range from $5,000 to $50,000 for one year, prioritizing strong community ties and transformative initiatives.
By Invitation Only
The Clif Family Foundation also offers By Invitation Only (BIO) grants, which target nonprofits working on critical issues that align with the foundation’s strategic priorities.
These BIO grants focus on community impact by supporting organizations addressing farmworker justice, access to healthy food, and climate justice with an emphasis on community ownership.
Eligible U.S.-based nonprofits must demonstrate strong community ties and address significant societal challenges.
The foundation prioritizes grassroots groups with operating budgets under $3 million that promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Applications undergo biannual assessments, with announcements about four months after the March 1 and August 1 deadlines.
Application Process
Although the Clif Family Foundation offers two distinct grant programs—Open Call and By Invitation Only—the application process for both follows a structured, biannual schedule with submission deadlines on March 1 and August 1 each year.
To boost your chances:
- Submit your grant application tips and stories of funding success to showcase impact.
- Confirm your nonprofit is a registered 501(c)3 or fiscally sponsored.
- Highlight grassroots efforts and community ties in your proposal.
This approach helps align your application with the foundation’s priorities and increases your odds of funding success.
Eligibility and Application Process for Grants
Since you’re aiming for funding from the Clif Family Foundation, you’ll need to confirm your organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit or has a fiscal sponsor with that status. The foundation prioritizes applicants with strong community ties, operating budgets under $3 million, and a focus on grassroots impact within the United States. Open Call Grants—for general operating or project costs—accept proposals twice a year (March 1 and August 1), while By Invitation Only Grants target nonprofits advancing the foundation’s strategic priorities. Grant eligibility hinges on alignment with these values, and clear, compelling proposals are essential for a competitive application.
| Criteria | Open Call Grants | By Invitation Only (BIO) Grants |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant Type | 501(c)(3) or fiscal sponsor | Selected nonprofits |
| Application Deadline | March 1, August 1 | Invitation only |
| Grant Range | $5,000–$50,000 | Varies |
| Focus | General/project support | Strategic priorities |
Review the foundation’s website for detailed application requirements and confirm your proposal highlights community impact, budget transparency, and program outcomes.
Timeline and Key Deadlines for 2026 Grant Cycles
You can submit your Open Call grant proposals to the Clif Family Foundation by March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST, with a second opportunity on August 1, 2026.
The foundation reviews applications biannually, awarding grant funding approximately four months after each deadline. Here’s what you need to know about the application timeline:
- Submit by March 1 or August 1 to be eligible for review in that cycle.
- Expect notifications by June 15 for March submissions, and November 15 for August.
- Grants support general operating costs or specific projects, prioritizing grassroots organizations with budgets under $3 million aligned with strategic priorities.
These clear deadlines guarantee you plan your application effectively for grant funding.
Examples of Past Grantees and Impact Stories
The Clif Family Foundation has supported over 361 nonprofits in 2024, funding initiatives that advance food justice, community health, and environmental stewardship.
In impact stories from past grantees, you’ll find nonprofit success in promoting farmworker justice, improving healthy food access for underserved communities, and advocating sustainable farming practices.
The foundation prioritizes grassroots organizations, especially those with budgets under $3 million, empowering them with 77% of grants as general support to pursue broad missions.
These examples highlight systemic change fostered by the foundation’s $23.4 million contributions that emphasize strong community ties and lasting impact in food and climate justice.
Contact Information and Additional Resources for Applicants
Where can you find the key contacts and resources needed to apply for a Clif Family Foundation grant? You’ll get everything you need right here.
For any grant application questions, use the contact methods below. The foundation’s website is your go-to for guidelines, deadlines, and past grantee info.
- Email info[at]cliffamilyfoundation[dot]org for direct support.
- Visit the website for full grant application details and resources.
- Check the Submission Manager for online applications and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is the Clif Family Foundation Grant?
You can expect a Clif Family Foundation grant application to request funding ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for one year. The funding criteria prioritize nonprofits with operating budgets under $3 million that align with the foundation’s strategic goals and demonstrate strong community ties.
How Much Will I Get From Cliff Bar Settlement?
You’ll get $5–$15 from the Clif Bar settlement, depending on how many bars you bought. Settlement details don’t affect grant eligibility, which is separate and for nonprofits only.
How Do I Contact the Clif Family Foundation?
You can contact the Clif Family Foundation directly via email at [email protected] for foundation inquiries. Their physical address is 1334 B Vidovich Ave, St. Helena, CA 94574 for mailed correspondence. Grant applications are handled through their Submission Manager platform, emphasizing clear contact methods for any foundation inquiries.
Can Foundations Give Grants to Individuals?
No, foundations usually don’t give grants to individuals. You’ll need grant eligibility through a nonprofit. Individual funding isn’t typical unless it’s via an eligible organization acting on your behalf.
Conclusion
Imagine planting a single seed in nutrient-rich soil—just like the Clif Bar Foundation’s grants, which nourish grassroots nonprofits under $3 million to grow resilient food systems and safeguard our environment. With $23.4 million already empowering over 361 organizations, these grants are your water and sunlight for systemic change. They don’t just fund projects; they cultivate justice, equity, and community strength, helping your work bloom sustainably and impactfully. Apply by March 1, 2026, and let your roots grow deep.