Dear Colleagues,
As we navigate the twin crises of climate change and food insecurity, one thing is increasingly clear: philanthropy must play a critical role in leading the way.
This is especially true as uncertainty grows around the future of U.S. government funding for food systems, agriculture, and climate resilience. From shifting policy priorities to recent cuts and delays in USDA programs, many organizations can no longer rely on public funding alone to sustain, let alone scale, their impact.
Private philanthropy already mobilizes billions to address the climate crisis — investing in renewable energy, conservation, and decarbonization. Now, a new frontier of climate action is emerging: transforming our global food system.
Food systems contribute over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Simply put: if we fail to transform food systems, we will fail to meet our global climate goals.
And yet, food remains one of the most powerful and under leveraged climate solutions. Regenerative agriculture, for example, offers a proven pathway to sequester carbon, build resilience, and support thriving communities. Philanthropy is uniquely positioned to accelerate these solutions by de-risking innovation, scaling new models, and fostering collaboration across sectors.
That’s exactly why I created the Climate Messaging Mastery Course for food nonprofits — to help organizations tell a stronger climate story, connect their work to funder priorities, and unlock the resources needed to scale their impact.
We have an unprecedented opportunity, and an urgent need, to reshape philanthropy’s role in climate action, starting with food.
Let’s not leave this opportunity on the table.
Eva Goulbourne
Founder & CEO, Littlefoot Ventures
The Pulse @ Littlefoot Ventures
Read Eva’s recent articles on Alliance Magazine and check out Littlefoot Venture’s new Everything but the Carbon Sink podcast
Feeding the Future: Why Philanthropy Must Tackle Food and Climate Together
Alliance Magazine
It’s time for philanthropy to bring food and climate into the same conversation—and more importantly, into coordinated action.
Unlocking Regenerative Agriculture: Why Philanthropy Must Lead the Way
Alliance Magazine
How philanthropy can de-risk early-stage investments and catalyze landscape-scale transformation.
Narrative Capital: How Storytelling Turns Ideas Into Investment for Climate & Food Solutions
Everything but the Carbon Sink
Thomas Crampton — Executive Chair of Crampton-Blackie — joins us to unpack how the right story, told at the right time, can unlock funding and fuel growth for climate and food innovators.
What’s on Your Plate? The Hidden Forces Shaping Our Food Choices
Everything but the Carbon Sink
Marion Nestle, the most respected nutritionist in America today, renowned author, and pioneer of the first food studies academic program, joins host Eva Goulbourne to expose the powerful forces shaping what we eat—from corporate influence on food policy to the urgent need for government regulation that prioritizes health over profit.
Farming for the Future: Scaling Regenerative Ag for Climate Impact & Profit
Everything but the Carbon Sink
Renée Vassilos, Director of Agriculture Innovation at The Nature Conservancy, joins host Eva Goulbourne to explore how regenerative agriculture can deliver climate impact and profitability.
Enrollment Opportunity
This course is designed to help food nonprofits craft stronger climate narratives, connect with funders, and unlock new funding opportunities.
What You’ll Learn:
- Climate science & philanthropy trends shaping the funding landscape
- How to craft a clear, compelling climate story for your organization
- Fundraising tools to sharpen your strategy and expand your reach
- Tactics for prospecting aligned funders and building lasting relationships
- Real-world case studies and practical exercises
- Resources, toolkits, and bonus content to support implementation
This course is for you if:
🌱 You’re competing for climate funding — but struggling to stand out in a crowded space.
🌎 You know your work drives climate resilience — but funders aren’t making the connection (yet).
💵 You’re not ready to hire a full-time development or comms lead — but need expert, high-impact guidance to move your strategy forward. (Our Impact Accelerator tier includes four 1:1 strategy sessions with Eva to fast-track your progress.)
📈 You need to quickly recover lost funding — or want to proactively grow funding to future-proof your organization for what’s next.
Let’s turn your story into a strategy that moves funders to act.
For any questions, feel free to reach out at info@littlefootventures.com.
Insights for Impact: Our Top Reads
Check out some of the articles that our team has been reading and loving lately.
Tech Meets Table: Using Innovation to Tackle Food Waste
Littlefoot Ventures
From AI-powered inventory tools to food rescue apps and shelf-life extension technologies, innovation is transforming how we prevent food from going to waste. In our latest article, we explore where food waste tech is making the biggest impact.
Creating a Sustainable Future Through Food Waste Reduction
ReFED
This report details the 2024 activities and outcomes for the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment and the U.S. Food Waste Pact. It includes three food waste datasets (regional retail, national retail, national foodservice), signatory engagement activities, case study summaries, and newly launched resources.
Is the Earth losing resilience, and does it matter?
Johan Rockström LinkedIn Article
The Earth may be losing resilience faster than expected, with recent data showing accelerated warming and weakening natural carbon sinks. These shifts suggest the planet’s climate sensitivity could be higher than assumed — shrinking the remaining carbon budget for staying below 1.5°C and increasing the risk of crossing dangerous tipping points.
The State of Grocery Retail Europe 2025
McKinsey & Company
Despite low growth and cost pressures, McKinsey’s 2025 report finds bright spots in European grocery—like private label innovation, healthy and ready-to-eat foods, and personalized shopping. Winning over Gen Z and investing in tech and efficiency will be key to staying competitive.
To make America healthy again, invest in organic food
The Hill
America’s chronic disease crisis is deeply tied to how we grow our food. In this op-ed, Ricky Silver makes the case for investing in U.S. organic farming — calling for stronger federal support, fewer pesticides, and a shift away from imported organic food we could grow at home.
At 88, a Nutritionist Meets Her Moment
New York Times
After five decades in the field of nutrition, Dr. Marion Nestle, one of the country’s foremost experts on nutrition policy, thought she had seen it all. Then came “Make America Healthy Again.”
Events
- Apr 19-27 | San Francisco, CA | SF Climate Week
- May 5-8 | Las Vegas, NV | WasteExpo Food Recovery Forum and Organics Recycling Conference
- June 2-4 | Amsterdam | Transform Food & Agriculture Europe 2025
- June 16-17 | Chicago, IL | The WSJ Global Food Forum
- June 26-27 | Amsterdam | Sustainable Foods Summit
- Jun 23-25 | Seattle, WA | ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
- Nov 19-20 | Anaheim, CA | Sustainable Agriculture Summit