The goal is to advance community and economic development programs that work to secure – for the present and future, and within the means of nature – a just and equitable life for all species.

Columbia Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the following:

• Promotion of sustainable food systems that work toward: secure livelihood for farmers and farm workers; protection of natural resources and biodiversity; the viability of marine ecosystems and fisheries; protection of public and environmental health; access to affordable, nutritious food from local and regional sources to meet the needs of people of differing cultures and incomes; and creation of thriving regional food economies
  
  
• Creation and dissemination of economic development models that work toward the goal of sustainability
  
  
• Development of the intellectual and policy frameworks for sustainability
  
  

Annual Deadline: December 1 for a full proposal.

Geographic priority: San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California for local projects, and California for statewide projects.

Types of grant support: Program, organizational development, pilot projects, seed money for new programs.