named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Garden Fund
Offers funding and resources to support Black-led community gardening initiatives
Community Work Days
Organized gatherings that combine hands-on farm work, skill-sharing, and community building among Black farmers
Food System Report
Research and publication initiative documenting challenges and opportunities in the Black food system ecosystem
Rapid Response Fund
Provides timely financial support to Black farmers and food entrepreneurs facing urgent needs or opportunities
Resilience Webinar
Educational series focused on climate resilience, financial literacy, and sustainable farming practices for Black farmers
activities · 3 groups
What they do
-
Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advancing food sovereignty and land justiceAdvocates for collective land ownership, wealth redistribution, and food sovereignty as part of building equitable and sustainable food systems led by Black communities.
-
-
Agricultural Grantmaking and Funding Programs 1 activity
- Funding Black food systems entrepreneurs and agricultural businessesProvides grants, low-interest loans, and financial support to Black farmers and food-based businesses in the Northeast to strengthen their operations, purchase equipment, and improve marketing. Has distributed over $14 million in capital and supported 14 Black food businesses through gifts and loans.
-
-
Agricultural Training and Education Programs 1 activity
- Providing capacity-building workshops and technical assistanceOffers recorded skillshares, workshops, and technical assistance to build expertise in sustainable agriculture, business management, and finance for Black farmers and food entrepreneurs. Also reviews interest forms to identify support needs and strengthen connections with the community.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$12.44M
Contributions & grants$11.67M94%
Program service revenue$22K0%
Investment income$743K6%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$5.57M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$1.64M
Grants paid out$2.26M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$26.51M
Cash$16.29M
Investments$5.71M
Liabilities$9.44M
Net assets$17.07M
Liquid reserves47.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +113.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES WADE | INVESTMENT DIRECTOR | 40 | $204K |
| OLIVIA WATKINS | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / TREASURER | 40 | $156K |
| MELANIE ALLEN | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $134K |
| JANET GUMBS | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 40 | $127K |
board members · 6
- KAREN WASHINGTON — CHAIR
- MAKAELIA DAVIS — BOARD DIRECTOR
- ONIKA ABRAHAM — SECRETARY
- RHYSTON MAYS — BOARD MEMBER
- RIBKA GETACHEW — BOARD MEMBER
- VICTORIA VAN AMSON — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Association of Black Foundation Executives Partner — Janet Gumbs most recently served as the Finance lead at the Association of Black Foundation Executives
- BFF Team Coalition — Internal team collectively advancing the organization's mission and strategic growth
- Ballmer Group Funder — Mekaelia Davis, a board member of Black Farmer Fund, is Director of Black Family Economic Mobility at Ballmer Group, which invests in economic mobility for Black families.
- Black Church Food Security Network Partner — Founded by Reverend Dr. Heber Brown III, a board member of Black Farmer Fund, this organization partners with Black congregations and farmers to build community-anchored food ecosystems.
- Black Yard Farm Collective Partner — Receives growth support from Black Farmer Fund to expand its farm business operations.
- Caribbean Association of Delaware Partner — Taieshia Hyacinth serves as Treasurer and provides financial guidance, mentorship, and grant writing assistance to community members through this organization
- Community Food Advocates Partner — Ribka Getachew, a board member of Black Farmer Fund, serves as Director of the NY Good Food Purchasing Program Campaign at this organization.
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture Partner — Myra Marcellin serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors at Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
- Eastern States Exposition Partner — Myra Marcellin is a Trustee of the Eastern States Exposition representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Federation of Southern Cooperatives Partner — Collaborates with or draws inspiration from the organization's work in supporting Black farmers and rural communities.
- First State African American Farmers Association Partner — Taieshia Hyacinth serves as Treasurer and provides financial guidance, mentorship, and grant writing assistance to BIPOC farmers through this organization
- Freedom Farmers Cooperative Partner — Aligned with or inspired by the cooperative's model of economic self-determination for Black farmers.
- Global Village Foods Partner — Part of the Black Farmer Fund-supported community focused on economic empowerment and racial equity.
- Karen Washington Partner — Co-founder of Black Farmer Fund and Black farmer-activist who initiated the organization in response to lack of financial assistance for Black farmers.
- Melanie Allen-Black Yard Farm Partner — Farming operation featured in BFF educational or archival materials.
- NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives Partner — Amanda Everich serves on the board of the NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives
- New Communities Land Trust Partner — Draws from the land trust's legacy of collective land ownership for Black communities.
- Olivia Watkins Partner — Co-founder of Black Farmer Fund and Black farmer-activist who collaborated with Karen Washington to create the organization.
- Onyx Ramirez-Farm Fresh Caribbean Partner — Farming operation featured in BFF educational or archival materials.
- Onyx Ramirez-Rocky Acres Partner — Farming operation featured in BFF educational or archival materials.
- Rapid Response Fund Partner — Collaborates on funding initiatives supporting Black farmers through rapid response grants.
- Rootwork Herbals Partner — Expresses solidarity with Rootwork Herbals and supports its steward, amanda david, in response to racial harassment and threats.
- Soul Fire Farm Partner — Collaborates with Soul Fire Farm through shared thought leadership, as evidenced by contributions from Leah Penniman, Co-Founder and Program Manager at Soul Fire Farm.
- Soul Fire Farm Institute Partner — Olivia Watkins serves as a board member and previously worked in production roles at Soul Fire Farm Institute
- Sweet Freedom Farm Partner — Rhyston Mays, a board member of Black Farmer Fund, co-leads vegetable production at this Black-led farm in Germantown, NY.
- The Laundromat Project Partner — Amanda Everich’s work has been supported by The Laundromat Project as a fellow with The Kelly Street Community Garden and for her radical mapping projects
- The Legacy of Moss Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Partner — Farming operation or initiative featured in BFF educational or archival materials.
- Together for West Philadelphia Partner — Chinwe Onyekere, a board member of Black Farmer Fund, is co-founder and President Emerita of this organization focused on cross-sector collaboration in health, education, and food access.
- Trinity Farm Fresh Partner — Recipient of funding and technical assistance from Black Farmer Fund to support farm operations and marketing.
- Vanguard Funder — Chinwe Onyekere, a board member of Black Farmer Fund, is a Program Officer for Strong Start for Kids™ at Vanguard, which makes strategic philanthropic investments.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Led Investment and Power-Shifting Modelmethodology: power_shiftingBy transferring decision-making authority and financial resources to Black farmers and food entrepreneurs through community-led investment committees and decentralized leadership structures, the organization produces more equitable and resilient food systems because those most impacted by systemic inequities are best positioned to design effective solutions.
- Culturally Grounded Food Sovereignty and Land-Based Healingmethodology: food_sovereigntyBy supporting culturally relevant food production, ancestral land stewardship practices, and soil-based healing initiatives, the organization strengthens community health and self-determination because reconnecting Black communities to land and foodways disrupted by systemic oppression restores agency and fosters resilience.
- Integrated Capital with Comprehensive Supportmethodology: integrated_capitalBy combining flexible capital (grants, low-interest notes) with technical assistance, financial education, and business support services, the organization increases the sustainability and success of Black food enterprises because financial resources alone are insufficient to overcome systemic barriers without accompanying capacity-building.