FSFS welcomes and encourages new funders to join the group. There are two levels of membership–member and associate member.

Requirements to join as a member
Membership in FSFS is open to any private, community, or corporate foundation or giving program that meets the following criteria. Other nonprofit organizations established with the primary purpose of grantmaking or individual donors that meet the following criteria may also be eligible.

1. The organization awards $50,000 or more per year in grants.


2. The organization accepts applications, within its funding priorities, from the general public.


3. The organization makes available to the public information about its grantmaking program.


4. The grantmaking program is the most significant part of the organization’s activities. Grants awarded should make up at least 50% of the organization’s total annual expenditures.


5. The organization can demonstrate that funds received from other FSFS members are not the organization’s primary source of support.


6. The organization’s primary purpose for joining FSFS is to support the education of the philanthropic community on issues surrounding California food system.


7. The organization is in support of FSFS’s mission statement.

Membership is established by an annual contribution to FSFS for general support. If you would like to learn more about FSFS before joining, please consider attending our next quarterly education and discussion seminar or contact the FSFS Coordinator, Jamaica Maxwell, at 415-421-4213 x24.

Qualifications for associate membership
Associate membership is available to organizations that meet criteria listed above but:

• do not award $50,000 or more per year in grants


• do not have 50% of total organizational expenditures spent on grants


• cannot give the minimum annual contribution

Associate membership entitles the organization to all the services offered to full members. However, associate members will not qualify to be members of the FSFS Steering Committee–the governing and decisionmaking body of FSFS. Please contact the FSFS coordinator for more information regarding associate membership.