PUTTING MICHIGAN’S GOOD FOOD FORWARD.

Fund Partners

As a partner you will maximize the impact of your work while joining a statewide network committed to transforming communities across our state into places of opportunity. We invite interested funders and partners to connect with us and join this important effort.

Current Michigan Good Food Fund funders and partners include a broad coalition of industry, nonprofit, economic development, higher education, government, and philanthropic partners who have come to together to fuel entrepreneurship in our food system with direct benefits for children and families, as well as economic growth and job creation in our cities and rural communities.

Core fund partners include:

  • Capital Impact Partners, a nonprofit certified Community Development Financial Institution with a 30-year history lending to projects in underserved communities, is a lender for the fund with a lending range of $750,000 to $5 million. It also leverages public and private investments from sources such as the federal Healthy Food Financing Initiative through the CDFI fund as well as private banks and foundations to support fund financing.
  • Fair Food Network, a Michigan-based national nonprofit committed to pioneering solutions that support farmers, strengthen local economies, and increase access to healthy food, is leading outreach and communications. It is the administrative manager of the fund and also provides business assistance and pipeline development for retail and small-batch processing projects.
  • Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems is a research, outreach, and education organization that is leading business assistance and pipeline development for agricultural production, aggregation and distribution, as well as processing projects. foodsystems.msu.edu
  • W.K. Kellogg Foundation is one of the fund’s supporters and investors. It has made commitments in the form of grants, program-related investments, and mission-driven investments across the capitalization structure.

 

Investors

Capital Impact Partners

http://www.capitalimpact.org

Capital Impact Partners transforms underserved communities into strong, vibrant places of opportunity for people at every stage of life. We deliver strategic financing, incubate new social programs and provide capacity building to help ensure that low to moderate income individuals have access to quality health care and education, healthy foods, affordable housing and the ability to age with dignity. A nonprofit community development financial institution, Capital Impact Partners has disbursed more $2 billion to revitalize communities over the last 30 years. Headquartered in Arlington, VA, Capital Impact Partners operates nationally with local offices in Detroit, MI and Oakland, CA.

Northern Trust Corporation

http://northerntrust.com

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has offices in the United States in 19 states and Washington, D.C., and 20 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 30, 2015, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$6 trillion, and assets under management of US$887 billion. For more than 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Northern Trust Wealth Management specializes in goals-driven financial advice backed by innovative technology and a strong fiduciary heritage. Northern Trust Wealth Management is ranked among the top 10 U.S. wealth managers with $225 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2015, and a wide network of wealth management offices across the United States and abroad. The Financial Times Group has named Northern Trust Best Private Bank in the USA for six consecutive years. In 2014 Northern Trust was also named Best Private Bank for Socially Responsible Investing. Visit northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

The Kresge Foundation

http://kresge.org/

The Kresge Foundation is a $3.5 billion private, national foundation that works to expand opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development in Detroit. In 2014, the Board of Trustees approved 408 awards totaling $242.5 million. That included a $100 million award to the Foundation for Detroit’s Future, a fund created to soften the impact of the city’s bankruptcy on pensioners and safeguard cultural assets at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A total $138.1 million was paid out to grantees over the course of the year. In addition, our Social Investment Practice made commitments totaling $20.4 million in 2014. For more information, visit kresge.org

The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation

http://www.mmfisher.org

The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation was formed in 1955 and endowed following the death of Mr. Fisher in 2005. The Foundation’s core philosophy is grounded in the beliefs of its founders and the family’s shared Jewish values that life’s purpose is found in service to others.

The mission of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation is to enrich humanity by strengthening and empowering children and families in need. While remaining flexible in our approach we give priority to: Providing for the needs of and ensuring the future of the Jewish people and to respecting our legacy and commitment to the Detroit community. Areas of critical importance include education, arts & culture and health with particular attention to HIV/AIDS.

During the course of the last six years the Foundation has placed in motion over $75 million on three continents.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation

http://www.wkkf.org

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

Partners

AFPD

http://www.afpdonline.org

As the “Voice for the food, beverage and petroleum industry” since 1910, AFPD is a multi-state trade association representing thousands of retailers operating in Michigan, Ohio and surrounding states. Our members include independent supermarkets, convenience stores, petroleum retailers, service stations, and specialty food markets. Our membership also includes wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers who support the retail industry.

AFPD is recognized as a leader in government and industry relations and closely monitors proposed state and federal legislation and how it will affect member retail businesses. Any proposed legislation that will have an adverse impact to food, beverage and petroleum retailers is met with AFPD’s strong lobbying efforts. Any positive proposed legislation is supported and advocated.

AFPD has made it a priority to help state retailers work to comply with all state, federal and local regulations. AFPD has worked very hard to establish a rapport with the departments and agencies with who state retailers communicate on a regular basis. Acting as a liaison to these departments and agencies, AFPD can often times find the answers to retailer questions and conversely help to educate retailers on guidelines and regulations that affect them.

AFPD maintains its Executive Offices in West Bloomfield, Michigan and offices in Westerville, Ohio.

American Heart Association

http://www.heart.org

Created in 1924 by six cardiologists, the American Heart Association is the oldest and largest voluntary health organization devoted to fighting heart disease and stroke. With more than 22.5 million volunteers, 150 local offices and approximately 2,600 employees, the AHA strives to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Our 2020 Impact goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 230% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease by 20% by the year 2020. Heart disease is America’s #1 killer (kills more than 813,000 Americans each year). While 1-3 individuals have some type of cardiovascular disease, 80% of all heart disease is preventable.

Avivar Capital

http://www.avivarcapital.com

Avivar Capital is a U.S.-based impact fund syndicator, asset manager and investment advisory firm focused on developing coordinated Community Development Families of Funds, managing those assets on behalf of clients and providing impact investment advisory services. Formed through a merger with GPS Capital Partners, Avivar assists foundations, banks and other institutional investors in the design and execution of impact investing strategy for financial, social and environmental return. Avivar professionals bring domestic and international experience to serve as investment strategists, market researchers, deal structurers, due diligence providers, coaches, trainers, facilitators, and evaluators.

Cherry Capital Foods LLC

http://www.cherrycapitalfoods.com

With our customers and our farmers and vendors as partners, we are working to build a resilient and socially just food system in Michigan. Cherry Capital Foods is a unique food distributor based in Traverse City, Michigan. We work with farmers, growers and producers both locally and regionally but only from the state of Michigan. By focusing on local and Michigan sources, we encourage the growing focus on regional foodsheds as well as support the Michigan economy and environment. We keep duplicate trucks off the road and create efficiencies for our food providers and our customers. One refrigerated truck, one delivery, one invoice – multiple, independent food sources that put the TO in farm to table.

Detroit Development Fund

https://www.detroitdevelopmentfund.com/

Detroit Development Fund (DDF) is a non-profit, certified CDFI with a mission to improve the quality of life in underserved Detroit neighborhoods and for Detroit residents. We fulfill our mission by providing high impact small business loans paired with comprehensive business technical assistance to Detroit small business owners. DDF provides loans and technical assistance to small business owners, developers, building owners, contractors and subcontractors unable to access sufficient capital from traditional financing sources. We deliver our products and services with the goal of revitalizing businesses and neighborhoods in Detroit to create economic equity and promote a healthy environment for its residents.

Since inception, DDF has deployed loans to Detroit businesses totaling $47.4 million with 65% of small business loans to minority owned businesses and 42% of small business loans to women led companies. In 2016, our average loan size was $78,000. Our TA and financing has helped create or retain 3,684 jobs. Despite assisting entrepreneurs that banks are unable to lend to, our charge-off rate is less than 4%. We attribute this to our focus on building strong relationships with clients and community partners and delivering comprehensive pre and post-loan TA. We know the challenges in the small business market isn’t just capital as much as making sure that companies can access TA and are ready for a loan and can grow after the loan.

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

http://www.degc.org

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation is a nonprofit organization that works closely with the City of Detroit and other partners to support existing businesses and to bring new companies and investments to the city. Our mission is to bring together public sector policies and priorities with private sector development and investment interests to strengthen Detroit’s economic advancement. DEGC is dedicated to Detroit’s growth.

Fair Food Network

http://www.fairfoodnetwork.org

Fair Food Network is a national nonprofit dedicated to growing the good for a more just and sustainable food system. We pioneer win/win/win solutions that support farmers, strengthen local economies, and increase access to healthy food—especially in our most underserved communities. And we bring the right people together to generate ideas, share resources, and promote policy change to reinvigorate local food economies. Dig deeper at fairfoodnetwork.org and join us on Facebook and Twitter @FairFoodNetwork and @OHesterman

Farmers on the Move

http://www.farmersonthemove.com

A grassroots Hispanic grower cooperative invested in advancing Hispanic-owned and operated agricultural business in Southwestern Michigan.

FoodLab Detroit

http://foodlabdetroit.com

FoodLab is a diverse community of good food businesses and allies working to make good food a sustainable reality for all Detroiters. Learn more at http://foodlabdetroit.com

Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison

https://www.michiganfoundations.org/ofl

Michigan’s non-partisan Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL), located in the Governor’s office, was created in 2003 to develop strategic partnerships between the state and foundations to encourage the success of programs or policy reforms that would improve the lives of all Michigan residents.

GROW

https://www.growbusiness.org/

Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) is a nonprofit organization focused on women at various stages of business ownership. We empower women entrepreneurs to launch, advance, and sustain their businesses. For over 25 years, GROW has been West Michigan’s source for relevant training, tools, and techniques for entrepreneurs and small business owners. GROW is a Michigan Good Food Fund lending partner providing $1,000 to $50,000 loans to good food enterprises in Grand Rapids and the nine surrounding counties (Kent, Ionia, Barry, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Montcalm, Allegan, and Kalamazoo).

Growing Hope

http://www.growinghope.net/

Growing Hope is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people improve their lives through gardening and healthy food access.

Kalamazoo County Land Bank Authority

http://www.kalamazoolandbank.org

The Kalamazoo County Land Bank was created in 2009 in response to the growing number of tax foreclosures in Kalamazoo County. It was developed in the context of a growing recognition throughout the Midwest and across the country that utilization of Land Bank tools could assist with community development, improving quality of life, and halting neighborhood decline. The mission of the Kalamazoo County Land Bank and its supporting non-profit, Vibrant Kalamazoo, is to create vibrant communities through the elimination of blighted properties, the creation of affordable housing opportunities, and the stabilization of property values. The Land Bank fulfills this mission through a variety of programs including home rehabilitation and new construction, blight removal, and adaptive reuse of vacant parcels through side-lot purchases and adopt-a-lot programs, among others.

Marquette Food Co-op

http://www.marquettefood.coop

The Marquette Food Co-op (MFC) is a full service, community-owned, grocery store offering natural and organic food and goods to its owners and Upper Peninsula residents since 1971. The MFC provides a one-stop shopping experience for those seeking wholesome, healthy foods and an extensive range of vitamins, minerals and natural remedies and supplements. Support of local farmers and producers is integral to the MFC’s core values and the Co-op is actively engaged in building a stronger and more resilient food system through a variety of programs and activities aimed at local farmers and agriculture.

Michigan Association of Land Banks

The Michigan Association of Land Banks exists to share information, facilitate best practices and to provide a forum for coordination across Land Banks in the state of Michigan working to promote economic growth and quality of life improvements through the acquisition, assembly and disposal of abandoned, blighted and vacant property.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

http://www.michigan.gov/mdard

The mission of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is to assure the food safety, agricultural, environmental, and economic interests of the people of the State of Michigan are met through service, partnership, and collaboration. When the department was created in 1921, its primary responsibility was to implement laws pertaining to the production, handling and distribution of agricultural products. The department was given the mandate to promote agricultural interests in Michigan and foster direct trading or marketing between producers and consumers. Although some things have remained constant, the 21st century has brought considerable new challenges and opportunities for MDARD. The department’s job has become larger and more complex, and the technology more advanced. Today, MDARD operates according to much larger goals. In its dual role of regulator and marketer, the department provides Michigan citizens with quality services and information by working cooperatively with many state, federal and local agencies and other organizations including universities, colleges and associations. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mdard.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is a customer-focused department that combines the programs formerly under Michigan Departments of Community Health and Human Services. Our vision for MDHHS is to promote better health outcomes, reduce health risks, and support stable and safe families while encouraging self-sufficiency

Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS)

http://www.miffs.org

Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) is dedicated to Supporting The Many Faces of Farming, particularly our beginning and historically underserved farmers. These farmers grow diversified crops and raise animals, they live in rural and urban areas, and they farm individually, in groups, on incubator farms, and as cooperatives. 
As a statewide, membership-based nonprofit organization, MIFFS has been connecting farmers to resources and opportunities since 1998. We honor each farmer’s passion for working the land and growing the food, while also recognizing that they can and must do it in a way that is viable and sustainable for the earth and for their pocketbooks.

Michigan Healthy Food Access Campaign

http://healthyfoodmi.heart.org/

The Michigan Healthy Food Access Campaign is an effort to support healthy food choices by expanding healthy food access in all Michigan communities for all Michigan residents. The Michigan Healthy Food Financing Campaign is an innovative partnership of retailers, health advocates, policymakers and finance leaders formed with the goal of offering incentives for grocery and convenience stores in Michigan to expand their healthy food offerings in places now where access to healthy food is limited.

Michigan Women Forward

http://miwf.org/

MWF was founded in 1986 by 20 extraordinary visionaries who conceived of an organization that would encourage women to play an active role in philanthropy and governance.  Michigan Women Forward’s mission is to accelerate Michigan’s progress by advancing equality and opportunity for women and girls by:

  • Accelerating women’s entrepreneurship through access to capital, education and mentorship to start or grow successful businesses  #womanup
  • Developing the next generation of young women leaders  #ugogirls
  • Advancing a collective change agenda to ensure social and economic equality for women in Michigan  #behindeverywoman

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

http://foodsystems.msu.edu

“The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) engages the people of Michigan, the United States, and the world in developing regionally integrated sustainable food systems. CRFS extends MSU’s pioneering legacy of applied research, education, and outreach by catalyzing collaboration and fostering innovation among the diverse range of people, processes, and places involved in regional food systems. Our vision is a thriving economy, equity and sustainability for Michigan, the country, and the planet through food systems rooted in local regions and centered on food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable. Learn more at http://foodsystems.msu.edu

Northern Initiatives

http://www.northerninitiatives.org

Northern Initiatives was founded on the campus on Northern Michigan University in 1992. It is a non profit Community Development Financial Institution that offers small business loans in 46 rural Michigan counties, northern lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Small business loans range from $1,000 to $500,000, and loans are accompanied by knowledge building services for small business customers. Northern Initiatives began lending money in 1994, and has made 800 loans totaling $45M.

SEMPA

http://www.sempafarms.com

SouthEast Michigan Producers Assn (SEMPA) is an organization of small farmers in collaboration to build capacity and are dedicated to providing fresh produce in areas to improve food security.

United States Department of Agriculture

http://www.usda.gov

State Office of Rural Development