Nomination to SAFSF Board of Directors 2025

Board Nomination Form

SAFSF is accepting nominations for open seats on the Board of Directors for three-year terms beginning on January 1, 2026. Please consider nominating yourself or a funder colleague to bring your perspective, expertise, and energy to the work of SAFSF!

As a governing Board of Directors, the SAFSF Board is responsible for overseeing the organization’s mission, financial health, and legal compliance while providing strategic guidance and governance. The SAFSF Board of Directors has vacancies for both member and non-member (funder) seats. Each Board Member is eligible to serve up to two (2) three-year terms, for a total of six (6) years of Board service. 
Eligibility
Any staff or Board member of a funding organization, defined as an organization that has defined grantmaking, lending, or investing as a core strategy for impact. Though individuals do not represent their organization as a member of the SAFSF Board of Directors, they must have the expressed support of their organization to participate on the SAFSF Board of Directors. Candidates interested in the member seats on the SAFSF Board of Directors must be up to date with membership dues as of September 1, 2025.

Criteria for Selection: The following criteria will be used to assess potential members of the Board of Directors.
      • Participation in SAFSF: Demonstrated commitment to advancing the mission of SAFSF through participation in events, learning spaces, committees, or other pathways of involvement. While not a requirement, we prefer candidates who have participated in SAFSF activities for a minimum of one full calendar year. 
      • Board or Governance Experience: Experience with serving on a Board of Directors, and familiarity with the duties of a Board of Directors. 
      • Leadership Experience: Demonstrates leadership in the funding field and food and agriculture systems change work.
      • Values Alignment: Demonstrates alignment and understanding of SAFSF's values and vision for social and racial equity in food and agriculture, and building a big tent of funders to support food system transformation.
      • Ethics: Demonstrates motivation in governance, fundraising, and championing the mission of SAFSF, not solely for personal or professional gain.
      • Contribution to Board: Motivated to contribute to the success of SAFSF’s mission and offers value-add in perspective, experience, diversity, and engagement level.  
      • Representation: Represent the perspective of a membership/funder type that adds to the diversity on the Board and contributes to the development of the food and agriculture funding field.
      SAFSF seeks to ensure the Board of Directors represents a diversity of lived experiences. SAFSF is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to offering a professional organizational environment that is open to all people, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working. SAFSF complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and corresponding state or local law. 

      Please note that we deeply value your interest in serving on the SAFSF Board of Directors and appreciate the time invested in sharing your interest. The selection of new Board Members is both informed by the qualifications of the candidates as well as the balance of representation and skills needed on the Board. If you are not selected to serve on the Board of Directors in this current open call, the SAFSF Board and staff will seek other opportunities to nurture your leadership and participation in our network. 
      Annual Expectations for Board Service
      • A minimum of four (4) quarterly virtual meetings of 60-90 minutes. 
      • Two in-person Board Retreats with a duration of 3-4 business days, including travel. 
      • Meaningful contribution to financial and fundraising goals of the organization, including, where possible, securing general operating support, event sponsorships, or cost coverage of Board related travel.  
      • Participation on a Committee of the Board (typically quarterly meetings).
      • Attendance at the Annual SAFSF Forum is not required but highly encouraged. 
      Timeline for the Nomination Process
      • July 30 | Applications due
      • August - October | Review and candidate interviews with the Nominating Committee
      • November | Board of Directors vote, new Board members notified
      • December | New Board Member Orientation
      • January | Term begins
      Nomination Instructions
      Self-nomination or nominations of other qualified candidates are welcome and weighted equally in the review process. The Board Nomination Form asks for complete contact information for the nominee, nominator (if applicable), information on the candidate’s relevant background, and a statement of interest describing why the candidate would make a great SAFSF Director. Once a nomination has been submitted, SAFSF will request from each candidate a nomination confirmation form or a letter of interest (if not self-nominated).
      This Board Nomination Form must be submitted no later than Thursday, July 31, 2025, 12:00 am EST. If you have questions about the form or process, please contact Holly Hanes at holly@safsf.org.
      Nomination Type

      Board Nomination Details

      Your Information (Nominator)

















      Your Information (Nominee)


















      Social Media



      Nominee Information


















      Social Media



      Nominee Background




      Optional Demographic Information


      Other ethnic identity:   

         
      Nomination Background