For more than 46 years, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) has worked to build sustainable food and farming systems across California. Through policy advocacy, technical assistance, and community-based programs, the organization helps family farmers strengthen their businesses while promoting healthy ecosystems and resilient local food systems.
When the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for farmers in 2020, CAFF quickly recognized the need for a dedicated emergency relief fund. The organization established the CAFF California Farmer Relief Fund at Sacramento Region Community Foundation, creating a streamlined way to receive donations and quickly distribute financial assistance to farmers facing crisis.
“Every minute that farmers are kept waiting was another day that they couldn’t move forward or another day that they got closer to not being able to continue farming,” said Karla Avila, CAFF’s Director of Philanthropy. “Between the pandemic, wildfires, and drought, it was essential for CAFF to have a partner that could serve as our fundholder so we could focus on getting that money to the people who really needed it.”
The Foundation’s ability to seamlessly accept donations of all kinds, including checks, stock, and credit card gifts, while managing gift and grant administration allowed CAFF to focus on responding to the needs of farmers across the state. From 2020 to today, the fund has received thousands of dollars in charitable contributions and distributed more than $339,000 in grants, with a particular emphasis on supporting farmers of color and other historically underserved farming communities. The California Farmer Relief Fund continues to respond to disasters ranging from wildfires, droughts to floods. Through additional fundraising efforts, including state grants, CAFF has provided over $8 million in direct financial relief to farmers across California.Â
“We never know what disaster will come next. We just know that it’s inevitable there will be another one,” Karla said. “The Foundation allows us to provide immediate relief in a streamlined, organized, and efficient way. We’re really grateful for the partnership because it lets us focus on supporting farmers when they need us most.”Â
For CAFF, the partnership is about more than managing a fund. It allows the organization to continue its mission of helping family farms, local communities, and California’s food systems remain resilient for generations to come.
