North Star Fund supports Black-led organizations building collective power through grassroots organizing in New York City and the Hudson Valley. It aims to transform lives and undo systemic racism by addressing specific laws and institutional policies that create inequities. The fund was created to respond to a lack of investment in Black communities and seeks to mobilize resources for sustainable support.
The grant program guided by Community Food Funders aims to enhance understanding and identify investment opportunities within the regional food system to foster sustainability and equity. It pursues a "triple bottom line" focusing on equity throughout the food chain, ecological soundness in food production and distribution, and economic robustness with diverse ownership models without large corporate control. The Champions Award, part of this program, annually acknowledges an organization with a $10,000 grant for their commitment to transitioning to a system that values people, the environment, and sustainable economic models. Awardees are selected based on their equity practices, ecological soundness, and economic robustness, including a racial justice approach and leadership that reflects their community. Recipients present their work to funders, share updates, and participate in future award selection.