Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice

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Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) and First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) are offering the Indigenous Food System Community of Practice for diverse capital partners seeking to deepen their understanding, effectiveness, and relationships with Native American communities, Tribes and Native-led organizations. 

This program is a transformational, in-depth, cohort-based learning experience expertly led by Melvin Consulting PLLC, a Hopi owned and led firm. During this year-long program, participants will:
  • Learn from and build relationships with Native American practitioners, organizations, and communities offering food systems solutions;
  • Share and sharpen skills and strategies for investing in Indigenous partners who are leading sustainable agriculture and food systems work in Indian Country;
  • Build awareness of and respond to the historic, structural, current , and philanthropic barriers that Native communities and Tribal governments face in obtaining funding; and
  • Enjoy the fellowship and support of other funders committed to investing in Indigenous communities.
Who Should Apply

This Community of Practice is open to grantmakers, lenders, and investors who bring a commitment to investing in Indigenous communities. Funders who have a range of experience with grantmaking or investing in sustainable agriculture and food systems work in Native communities are invited to apply. Funders who are new to working with Indigenous communities, or just beginning to invest in Indigenous food and agriculture systems, are encouraged to join.

This cohort is designed to move from learning to action.

Participants are expected to make a financial commitment by the end of the program, with a recommended minimum of $50,000. Resources can be directed where each funder sees the greatest opportunity, as we work collectively to mobilize meaningful investment in Indian Country.

Cohort size

15 participants

Limited to no more than 15 participants.

SIGNUP deadline

July 15, 2026

Registration will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis.

To confirm your spot and travel dates, we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. We strongly encourage interested parties to save all program dates in advance of final confirmation. 
Meet the Program Guides and Partners
Melvin Consulting Logo
Melvin Consulting PLLC, a Hopi founded and led firm, leads the curriculum and facilitation of the community of practice. The cohort will be facilitated by Eileen Egan (Hopi) and Daryl Melvin (Hopi and Navajo),  who specialize in leadership development, program design, strategic planning, and community development. 
FNDI Logo
First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) is among the most established and impactful grantmakers supporting food sovereignty. FNDI brings more than 40 years of Native philanthropic experience and introduces you to exceptional people and projects across Indian Country. 
SAFSF Logo
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) convenes a national network of diverse capital partners committed to a resilient, just, and democratic future of food. SAFSF serves as the lead on logistics, administration and participation coordination and communication.
About the Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice
Native communities receive only about one-quarter of one percent of all philanthropic giving, and only a small portion of those grant dollars go to Native-led organizations. Members of this community of practice will learn from and with Indigenous people leading projects in communities in order to build effective allyship skills as funders. Participants will learn about the root causes that bar funding and resources from reaching Indigenous communities, and actionable solutions for their own funding programs. 

Guided by content experts and guest speakers, we will explore the historical and present-day complexities of Indigenous communities and food and agriculture systems. We will delve into the structural underpinnings that have institutionalized inequity and the barriers that Native communities and Tribal governments face in obtaining funding. We will simultaneously explore the beauty and richness of Indigenous agriculture and food projects, people, and institutions. As we learn from Indigenous leaders and each other, we will co-design ways to change funding practices from within our funding organizations and networks.

The Community of Practice has been described as personally and professionally life changing for participants. Most importantly, the Community of Practice will build funders proficiency, confidence, and effectiveness in partnering with Native-led organizations for transformative impact in food systems. Participants will be exposed to a range of investment opportunities and funding dockets that include Indigenous projects, and provided opportunities to explore areas of collaboration with one another. 

Program Structure and Key Dates

The 2026–2027 Cohort takes place from August 2026 until July 2027 and consists of two (2) in-person immersive learning events and 5 virtual sessions.

In-person — Event 1

2026 Food Sovereignty Summit

August 24–27, 2026

Suquamish, Washington — hosted in collaboration with the Suquamish Tribe, the 2026 Food Sovereignty Summit brings together approximately 200 Tribal leaders, culture bearers, growers, producers, seed keepers, birthworkers, and community partners advancing Native food systems. As a national forum for sharing knowledge and strengthening relationships, funders gain opportunities to build relationships, network, and learn directly about community needs and priorities.

Virtual Sessions — 2 hours each

Participants will be assigned pre-session reading and light reflection homework, and will be encouraged to connect with peers outside of formal meetings.

1October 13, 202611 am PT / 2 pm ET
2December 3, 202611 am PT / 2 pm ET
3February 4, 202711 am PT / 2 pm ET
4April 8, 202711 am PT / 2 pm ET
5June 17, 202711 am PT / 2 pm ET

In-person — Event 2

Immersive Learning Retreat

August 18–20, 2027

New Mexico — the program will conclude with a curated learning retreat in New Mexico the week leading up to the renowned Santa Fe Indian Market.

Optional: One-on-one office hours

Participants will have the optional opportunity for one-on-one "office hours" with program leads for customized feedback and insights.

All events are required, unless otherwise arranged, in particular the in-person portions.

Cost of Participation

SAFSF Member fee

$5,000

SAFSF members, or eligible organizations applying for membership by July 15, 2026

Non-member fee

$6,000

All other eligible organizations

The registration fee includes the full curriculum, expert facilitation, office-hour mentorship, virtual technology, communication tools, meals, venue, and bus transportation for the 2027 in-person retreat. The program fee also includes registration and meals during the FNDI Food Sovereignty Summit. We take great care to fairly compensate all speakers, chefs, artists and other vendors who share their expertise, knowledge and time with us. 

What the program fee does not cover: Participants are responsible for airfare and lodging (with affordable group rates) for both in-person events.

Payment schedule

Upon registration Non-refundable deposit of $1,000
August 1, 2026 50% of remaining balance due
January 8, 2027 Remaining balance due (full payment accepted at any point before this date)
If you have any questions about this program or the registration process, please reach out to us at events@safsf.org.
Thank you for your interest in participating! Please provide your details below and continue to the next page to submit your deposit.
Participant Information





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Demographic Data
We collect demographic information to better understand who our programs are serving and to inform our ongoing efforts to ensure broad and equitable participation. All responses are optional and will be kept confidential. This information will only be accessible to program staff and will never be shared with other participants or used for any purpose outside of program evaluation.






What motivates you to apply for the 2026–2027 Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice?
Why is this the right time for you to participate?
Briefly describe your grantmaking, lending, and/or investing in Indigenous communities.
Include types of projects, areas of focus, and typical amounts if applicable.
A core objective of this year’s Community of Practice is the direct mobilization of capital to Indigenous-led food and agriculture systems.
Does your organization commit to deploying a minimum of $50,000 in funding, lending, or investment to Indigenous communities or Indigenous-led organizations as a result of your participation in this program?
Optional: Is there any additional information or personal experiences from your journey as a funder that you would like to share?
Please include anything you believe would be relevant to your participation in this program.
Payment Amount
Breakdown of Payment
Cancellation Policy
You will be notified of registration status no later than July 17, 2026. If you are accepted and cancel by August 1st, we will refund your deposit minus a $50 administrative fee and the transaction fee. 
If you are not accepted or if the cohort is cancelled by SAFSF, we will refund your full deposit, minus the transaction fee.
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