’Tis the Season: December’s Guide to Nonprofit Giving

This article first appeared in the December 2024 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.

By Steven Hoffman

December is a time when the conscious CPG industry traditionally leans in to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to healthy living, the environment, community development, social justice, nutrition and hunger, animal welfare, education and more. Ask anyone in the natural channel what mission they support and more often than not, you’ll get a passionate earful. Surely, you and/or your company have particular causes you support. Yet, in this season of giving, we’d like to present 12 nonprofits worthy of consideration for their invaluable contributions to people and the planet.

Adopt a Native Elder
For more than 30 years, Adopt-A-Native-Elder (ANE) has used an integrated approach to go beyond charity to assist traditional elders on the Navajo Reservation in Utah and Arizona. ANE serves to help reduce extreme poverty, food insecurity and hardship facing traditional elders living on the Navajo Reservation. ANE is a humanitarian organization focused on delivering food, medical supplies, firewood and other forms of elder support while honoring the tradition and dignity of Navajo elders. ANE also offers one-of-a-kind, handmade woven rugs and jewelry available for sale, in which 100% of the proceeds benefit the elder artist.

Alaffia Foundation
Growing up and working to support his family in Togo, West Africa, Alaffia founder Olowo-n’djo Tchala witnessed firsthand the injustices and inequalities many of the women in his village faced. After attending university in the U.S., he felt driven to do something about it. In 1996, Tchala met his partner Prairie Rose Hyde, who served in his village as a Peace Corps volunteer. Inspired by a shared mission, the two launched Alaffia’s first shea butter collective in 2003. In 2004 they established the Alaffia brand in the U.S. Alaffia partners with Global Alliance for Community Empowerment (GACE), a 501(c)3 organization, to empower women and their communities in West Africa by investing in fair trade, maternal care, child education, clean water and climate change.

Comparsa
Comparsa is a documentary film dedicated to shining a light on a group of young women in Guatemala who use performance art to empower their community against gender-based violence. Directed by veteran filmmakers Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson, Comparsa follows sisters Lesli and Lupe, who are spurred to action after the murder of their friend Siona in a fire. Driven to overcome a culture of silence, the sisters stage a grand public performance called a "comparsa" to raise awareness and combat violence against women, and to inspire a new generation of young leaders in Latin America. The nonprofit Girl Rising team is collaborating with the filmmakers of Comparsa to share Lesli and Lupe’s inspiring story.

Conscious Alliance
From exchanging copies of a poster donated by the String Cheese Incident to concertgoers at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium for cans of food for a food drive in 2002, today Conscious Alliance operates out of an 11,000-square-foot distribution center, serving local communities and Native Americans, in particular the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Working with top bands and musicians, including Dave Matthews, Widespread Panic and others, along with renowned poster artists, Conscious Alliance’s Art that Feeds program has delivered millions of pounds of food and helps feed students at all 15 schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The group also serves communities hit by natural disasters. Conscious Alliance works directly with natural food companies for product donations. Buy a concert poster and make a donation at ConsciousAlliance.org.

The HerbiCulture Project
Established by Catherine Hunziker, founder of herbal products leader WishGarden Herbs, The HerbiCulture Project (HCP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing medicinal plants while promoting regenerative production methods to ensure the highest quality botanicals, and to rebuild soil health and sequester carbon. HCP brings together a network of herbalists, regenerative farmers, permaculturists, researchers, soil health and climate specialists, nutritional supplement providers, agri-voltaic leaders and more. HCP has a mission of reintroducing medicinal herb crops at scale domestically as a solution to three critical issues: 1) Generate more lucrative crop revenues and healthier soil for farmers, 2) Support a growing demand and need for sustainable wellness ingredients sourced in the U.S., and 3) Introduce strategies that can improve soil health, which is at the root of our climate crisis. Visit The HerbiCulture Project’s Go Fund Me Page to donate.

Kiss the Ground
With award-winning documentary films and storytelling, educational materials and partnering with companies, Kiss the Ground (KTG) is at the forefront of advancing regenerative agriculture. Founded in 2013, KTG holds the vision that every person has a unique way to participate in the reverence, stewardship and regeneration of the planet. In 2020, in partnership with Big Picture Ranch, Kiss The Ground released a groundbreaking documentary on Netflix narrated by Woody Harrelson. The film and its sequel, Common Ground, which have been viewed by millions of people, explore regenerative agriculture, an innovative approach to farming that combines indigenous knowledge, holistic management and modern science and has the potential to heal the planet, create food security and mitigate climate change. Learn more about partnering with KTG here.

Living Lands & Waters
After years of being told "no" by the government, in 1997, East Moline, Illinois, resident Chad Pregracke decided to start cleaning up the Mississippi River by himself, founding Living Lands & Waters. Inspired by NASCAR races, the nonprofit organization received its first sponsorship, and Chad was able to remove 45,000 pounds of refuse from the river in his first year. Today, with the help of more than 126,500 volunteers and supporters, Living Lands & Waters hosts river cleanups, watershed conservation initiatives, educational workshops, tree plantings and other environmental efforts. Since the organization was founded, it has grown to be the only “industrial strength” river cleanup organization like it in the world, and has removed over 13 million pounds of garbage from U.S. waterways. Learn more about Living Lands & Waters in this video, and contribute here.

Rodale Institute
Celebrating more than 75 years of organic leadership, The Rodale Institute remains at the vanguard of science and best practices in advancing organic and regenerative agriculture. Rodale's nearly four-decades-long flagship study, the Farming Systems Trial, has scientifically proven that organic agriculture performs as well as, if not better than, conventional agriculture. Rodale focuses on demonstrating the power of nutrient-dense organic food in preventing and reversing diseases and works to create economic vitality in rural communities by training tomorrow’s organic farmers. Rodale also partners with schools, hospitals and other community organizations to help people make informed choices about the food they eat and how that impacts their health. Visit https://rodaleinstitute.org.

Salt & Light Coalition
Based in Chicago, the Salt & Light Coalition is a grassroots organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of human trafficking through mind-body restoration and workforce development. Salt & Light believes that yoga, fitness, proper nutrition and spirituality can change the world. The organization provides a one-year program for survivors of trafficking that focuses on healing, job training and building self-sufficiency. Most victims are immigrants and people of color, says Salt & Light founder Isabel Olson, Ph.D. It's also an epidemic in our own back yard -- “Even though we’re not aware of it, 25,000 women are trafficked in the Chicago area every year. That’s two women every hour of every day,” Olson says. Learn more and contribute at https://saltandlightcoalition.com.

The Organic Center
The Organic Center (TOC) is the organic products industry’s leading independent research and education organization advocating for the nutritional, health, environmental and climate mitigating benefits of organic food and farming. Founded in 2002 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization under the administration of the Organic Trade Association, TOC collaborates with leading academic and governmental institutions to advance research on organic food and farming, and to communicate those findings to the public. TOC is hosting its second annual Organic Night Out fundraiser on March 5 at Expo West 2025, and is currently accepting nominations from brands and businesses for the Organic Champions Awards, to be presented at the event. Visit https://www.organic-center.org.

Vitamin Angels
Founded in 1994 by natural products industry veteran Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels is a public health nonprofit organization working to improve nutrition and health outcomes in low-resource settings worldwide. The organization helps to strengthen, extend and amplify the impact of partner organizations working to reach the most nutritionally vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, infants and children, with evidence-based nutrition interventions and health services. Vitamin Angels works with more than 2,000 local organizations, including governments, to reach more than 60 million women and children in 65 countries annually. Vitamin Angels will host its 2025 Celebration on March 4 at Expo West. Visit https://www.vitaminangels.org.

WomenServe
In 2006, Nioma Marissa Sadler traveled to Rajasthan, India, as the Goodwill Ambassador for leading tea company Traditional Medicinals. While visiting the farms, she would sit with local women and listen to their stories of the oppression that still exists in rural India. Inspired by the stories they shared, WomenServe was born. Since then, the organization has invested over $5 million, with a mission to cultivate self-reliance in women and their communities by providing platforms and skills that foster community engagement, advocacy and collective participation. "Through amplifying women's voices and leveraging their strengths, we enhance local power and resilience. Rajasthan is just the start of our mission to establish gender equity and transform the lives of women and girls," says Nioma. Traditional Medicinals partners with WomenServe, particularly in farming communities in India. Visit https://www.womenserve.org.

Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural, providing public relations, brand marketing, social media and strategic business development services to natural, organic, sustainable and hemp/CBD products businesses. Contact steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.

In Memoriam: Dale Kamibayashi, May 4, 1951 – Nov. 4, 2023

This article first appeared in Presence Marketing’s November 2023 newsletter.

By Steven Hoffman

Longtime natural products industry veteran and former Presence Marketing team member Dale Kenji Kamibayashi passed away on Nov. 4, 2023, at age 72. A beloved husband, father and family man, Dale was a valued community member, a friend to all, and a highly respected and admired colleague to many in the natural and organic products industry. Dale was an important member of our community and will be deeply missed.

From his roots in the late 1970s as the co-owner with his wife, Lisa, of a small natural foods retail store in the mountain town of Nederland, just west of Boulder, to serving as manager and purchasing director for the iconic Alfalfa’s Market, plus leadership roles in Cascadian Farm, Ceres, Rapunzel Organics and other leading companies, Dale was a strong advocate for healthy lifestyles. In 2019, Naturally Boulder honored Dale with the “Industry Leader/Community Champion” award for his vast contributions to the natural products industry and Boulder community.

Steven Hoffman (left) and Dale Kamibayashi.

Read on, below, for some shared memories of Dale Kamibayashi from some industry members and colleagues who knew and loved him best. To read more tributes and to share your memories of Dale, visit Dale’s memorial web page here, and please consider donating to his family’s GoFundMe page.

Lani Kamibayashi (Dale’s daughter, on behalf of the Kamibayashi family)
Our father was the hardest worker I knew, and our family grew up and lived for my dad’s passion. My brother Kenji and I grew up in Alfalfa’s Market; we ran around that store like we owned it. I loved it — I have so many great childhood memories of that store and the people who worked with my parents. Dad instilled our love of food and healthier eating styles that remain with us today. I am so proud of what he did and accomplished within the industry and am so fortunate to be his daughter. My family is overwhelmed with the support and generosity from all. Dale (Dad) was a remarkable leader, husband, and father for us and it’s just not going to be the same without him. We would be forever grateful if you ever had the chance to meet or know our father to keep a memory in your heart, thank you.

Chris Lobo, EVP, Presence Marketing
I worked at Alfalfa’s in the early ‘90s, mostly while I was completing grad school at the University of Colorado. During my time at Alfalfa’s, I worked in the Grocery Department and Dale K. was the Store Manager. For a time, I worked the opening shift, which meant assuring shelves were stocked and faced, and topping off the bulk bins – all before the doors opened.

That is also the period I met Michelle, my wife, who started as a cashier and also was on the opening shift. During the days Michelle and I dated, I would be in the back of the store trying to sweep up about a hundred different beans and grains that had spilled, before the “opening bell.” Michelle would often sneak back and we would quickly make out (I have no idea how dated that term is, but that is how we started a handful of mornings).

One particular morning the GM at that time, who was an uptight sort, caught us and threatened a write up. Well…that write up never came my way. I have no paper trail of who intervened, but it had to have been Dale, who was on site that day and who smilingly turned a blind eye many times to our very human practice.

I honored, respected, and cared a great deal for Dale K. as a colleague…but much more as a warm and wonderful human. RIP Dale.

Mark Retzloff, Co-Founder and Former CEO and Chair, Alfalfa’s Market and Horizon Organic Dairy, and Co-Founder of Greenmont Capital Partners
Like so many, I am shocked and grieving Dale’s passing. Dale was a brother, best friend, confidant, partner, and an example to me. I am heartbroken, as is my wife, Terry. However, I want to ensure we honor Dale appropriately. We must all remember and appreciate Dale’s legacy of treating everyone with respect, kindness, and always giving his full attention. His style of leadership should continue to be an inspiration to us all.

I have been fortunate to have known Dale for 43 years. I hired Dale in 1982 to manage our first Alfalfa’s Market store in Boulder. Dale was quickly beloved by all Alfalfa’s employees and hundreds in the community. A hallmark of Dale’s was how well-liked he was in the natural and organic movement and industry as well as on a local, state and national level.

In 2019 when Dale received Naturally Boulder’s “Industry Leader/Community Champion” award, Joan Boykin had this to say about her old friend and coworker: “Dale is a prince among men, a person of inestimable value to the community. He is known for his fair, diplomatic, understated, and generous leadership style and admired by all who know him.”

The last two times I saw Dale was at my 75th birthday in September and at our Naturally Boulder Legacy gathering. He was so Dale – that generous smile, that immediate warmth, and that always caring communication. Dale was a gem and his many life lessons will now shine through the hundreds he has touched.

I write this tribute from Kauai where I am grieving big time. I took a long walk on the beach to consider what is really important in life. Ultimately, we are all just grains of sand, and we each count ourselves tremendously grateful for friends like Dale in our lives. Too briefly, but beautifully gracing our lives.

While many of us will be absorbing this profound loss to our community, I implore each of us to send love and support to Dale’s wife, Lisa, and his children Lani and Kenji. Please consider supporting Dale’s family through their GoFundMe.

Joan Boykin, President, Boykin Consulting, Former Executive Director, The Organic Center, and Former Director of Marketing for Alfalfa’s Market, Celestial Seasonings, New Hope Network and Fresh Produce Sportswear
Dale was a consummate professional, an expert in retail operations and merchandising, and with a keen eye and mind for marketing, too. Yet, as I reflect on Dale’s contributions to the industry, it wasn’t so much about all he did, but about the manner in which he did it. He was calm and unruffled in every imaginable situation — always finding solutions to vexing problems — and I never heard a harsh word from him. I’ll remember him always for his kindness and warmth and will miss him dearly, as will countless others in our community.

Lyle Davis and Sylvia Tawse, Veterans of Alfalfa’s Market and Founders of the Fresh Ideas Group and Pastures of Plenty
When asked to describe Dale K. (everyone called him that!), Lyle Davis, who worked with Dale for nearly 18 years, said, “Sweet and steady – that was Dale I never once saw him angry or agitated.” Sylvia R. Tawse, who also worked with Dale at Alfalfa’s Markets and remained friends beyond the Alfalfa’s era, remembered working as a Marketing Manager at the Boulder store and being overwhelmed with local nonprofit requests for donations. She went to Dale to seek solutions to a tidal wave of requests. “I’ll always remember Dale’s calm and wise response. He said, ‘We just always find a way to say yes to our community.’ This lesson in generosity and inclusion has inspired and guided my decisions for three+ decades.”

Sylvia also remembers working on a ‘Healthy Choices’ newsletter story with Dale to share his family’s New Year’s recipes and traditions. Dale teared up respectfully when unveiling his grandparents’ story – a challenging time when they were interned up near Fort Collins. The recipe? A most generous New Year’s Eve soup with generous and warming ingredients. Just like Dale.

The last time Sylvia saw Dale K. was at a Naturally Boulder gathering in early October. She is forever thankful to have seen him with his iconic warm smile, and to have a big bear hug with him. All of the Alfalfa’s family and our natural and organic products industry benefitted from Dale K., and we still do. His legacy of managing through calm kindness lives on.

John Hay, Co-Founder, Celestial Seasonings
Having worked with Dale on and off over the past 40 years, I can truly say he was a very special human being. He knew all about the natural and organic food industry and had key relationships with most all of the folks in that world. Dale was a people person, and his positive and gracious personality was his greatest strength. He genuinely cared about your product, your business, but most of all about you, and that is why he was so successful throughout his long career.

Blair Kellison, Former CEO, Traditional Medicinals*
The natural foods industry’s culture of kindness and respect was set early in its inception by exceptional individuals like Dale. He embodies everything about the culture that makes our industry so special. He had a way of making each of us feel we were his favorite. I am lucky to be one of those people. The enduring nature of the HNF industry’s culture is the greatest testament to Dale’s memory. Godspeed Dale.

Bill Capsalis, Natural Products Industry Veteran and Former Executive Director, Naturally Boulder
Dale K. was a friend of mine … actually he was a friend to everyone he met. I had the pleasure of knowing him for more than 20 years as a member of the Naturally Boulder community. He would always make time for me or any of the new brands I was helping (including one I was running) to review the products and provide feedback and support. He never turned anyone away from his door while at Alfalfa’s and later at Presence Marketing. He was always kind and positive every time we saw each other. A few years back we recognized Dale with Naturally Boulder’s Community Hero Award, which was well deserved. He will be missed by so many people here and across the industry.

Debbie Wildrick, President, Frey Farms, Former Strategic Advisor, Beyond Brands, and Former CEO, BAZI Inc.*
To Dale’s family, I was deeply saddened to read today about Dale’s passing. My deepest condolences. Dale worked for me for several months when we were building a source water from Brazil. I was just speaking to my business partner the other day (just a couple of weeks ago). And, he said, “Do you remember when we all in Naples for a meeting and went to have sushi and Dale taught us how to properly eat with chopsticks?” I later moved to Denver and saw Dale often at events, especially Naturally Boulder. A very wonderful man.

JJ Rademaekers, Founder, Cocomels*
Dale was such an amazing introduction to this industry for me. When I started Cocomels at the Farmers Market, Dale was the first local buyer to express interest. Not only did he bring Cocomels into the store but he offered his time and insights so that I could understand what I was getting into and how to do it. After that, we’d meet occasionally and I’d ask a barrage of questions and he’d always give me his attention and time. He became a friend and ally in the industry and I always enjoyed bumping into him at events or shows. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great guy who really showed interest and support for me and my journey. I will always be appreciative. Much love to his family and friends.

Steve Ehli, Natural Products Industry Veteran and Former Team Member, Presence Marketing
I met Dale in the late ‘70s and we stayed in touch through the decades. I was so pleased we got to spend several years working for the same company at Presence Marketing until I retired at the end of 2021. A kind soul and a consummate professional who dedicated his life’s work in service to grow our industry. Dale will be missed by many. The world needs more like him! My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Kelly Shea, CEO, Shea & Associates, Former SVP of Government & Corporate Affairs, Charlotte’s Web and White Wave Foods, and Former VP of Sustainability, Sales & Trade Relations for Danone
I often saw Dale outside of his day job. His passion for “giving back” was legendary. His decade-plus volunteering on the Organic Trade Association’s annual campaign, and his passion for Boulder’s Community Food share showed Dale’s big-hearted spirit of charity. What a man! The world was better for Dale Kamibayashi in it. I went to university in Japan and spoke a little Japanese. I shared with Dale that I thought his last name must mean “bridge of God.” I imagine him walking that now.

Steve Terre, Natural Industry Veteran and Former VP of Sales, Traditional Medicinals
Sayonara Dale-San
We mourn the premature departure of a beautiful human being
His countenance
Was calmness
His bearing beneficent 
His mode passionate and considerate
His smile luminous
His greeting warm and generous of spirit
Godspeed my brother on your next journey
You will be sorely missed
Too soon gone!!!

* Source: Dignity Memorial. Read more shared memories of Dale Kamibayashi by his family, colleagues, friends and community at Dignity Memorial.

Giving Season: 23 Nonprofits to Support in 2023

Giving Season: 23 Nonprofits to Support in 2023

December 9, 2022

This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s December 2022 industry newsletter.

By Steven Hoffman

With a common mission of providing healthful, eco-friendly and socially responsible products to consumers, natural and organic products companies often have philanthropy engrained as part of their brand’s DNA. Given that, the industry is well positioned to play a lead role in helping society address many of the problems facing the world today.

The month of December, with its focus on family, community and giving, presents an opportunity to highlight some of the nonprofit organizations that work with leaders in the natural products sector to help solve some of the pressing issues of our time. There are many organizations doing great work — below find a list of 23 organizations this writer has interacted with in some capacity over the years and identified as potentially worthy of your awareness, consideration and support in the coming year.

This list is divided into four categories: Climate & Environment; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Food & Agriculture; and Nutrition & Health. Perhaps one or more of these organizations will resonate with you this season of giving and throughout the year.

We know there are many nonprofit and related organizations doing important work that rely on contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations — please forgive us if we didn’t include your favorite nonprofit this time around. However, if you let us know, there’s a chance we can include it next year. We’d love to hear from you.

Happy holidays and all the best for the New Year.

Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural, providing public relations, brand marketing, social media and strategic business development services to natural, organic, sustainable and hemp/CBD products businesses. Compass Natural serves in PR and programming for NoCo Hemp Expo and Southern Hemp Expo, and Hoffman serves as Editor of the weekly Let’s Talk Hemp Newsletter, published by We are for Better Alternatives. Contact steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.

CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT

1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet is a global network of individuals and businesses that, to date, has donated more than $350 million to support environmental nonprofits around the globe. A number of natural products companies have aligned with 1% for the Planet, and many express their support by placing the organization’s logo on their product packaging. This past year, the organization launched the 1% for the Planet Impact Fund at National Philanthropic Trust to drive climate impact. https://onepercentfortheplanet.org

Carbon Underground
Founded in 2013 by CPG and natural products veterans Tom Newmark and Larry Kopald, the Carbon Underground’s goals are to coalesce the emerging science on the soil’s relationship to climate change, and to tell the world about a possibility to not simply slow down the threat of climate change, but to reverse it. The organization advances ways to draw down legacy carbon from the atmosphere and promotes regenerative agriculture as a tool to mitigate climate change. https://thecarbonunderground.org

Climate Collaborative
A project of One Step Closer, the Climate Collaborative’s mission is dedicated to “leveraging the power of the natural products industry to reverse climate change.” The organization recently released a four-part webinar series, Climate Action Guidance for Business. Also, the Climate Collaborative’s annual Tracking Progress Update assesses how companies are progressing on their climate action commitments. https://www.climatecollaborative.com

Environmental Working Group
Working to protect consumers, the Environmental Working Group takes the lead in shining a “spotlight on outdated legislation, harmful agricultural practices and industry loopholes that pose a risk to our health and the health of our environment,” encouraging industries to adopt safer practices and educating consumers with actionable information. EWG recently released a report on forever chemicals in pet food bags and in baby textiles, plus a report on how “multitasking” preservatives might help make cosmetics safer, plus the organization works to keep cancer-causing chemicals out of everyday consumer products. https://www.ewg.org

Natural Capitalism Solutions
Founded by renowned environmentalist and author Hunter Lovins, Natural Capitalism Solutions is dedicated to building an economy in service to life through education, innovative solutions, and youth empowerment. The organization works with companies, communities and countries to help offset and reduce carbon emissions and to implement more regenerative practices profitably. https://natcapsolutions.org

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Anishinaabe Agriculture Institute
With Akiing — an Indigenous organization dedicated to restoring sacred landscapes, community wealth and resilience — serving as its fiscal sponsor, the nonprofit Anishinaabe Agriculture Institute was founded by Native American leader, water protector, and former candidate for Vice President of the United States Winona LaDuke. The organization’s work includes educating youth about Indigenous, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture practices, restoring agro-biodiversity and food sovereignty, advancing traditional methodologies, and supporting research into hemp fiber production to benefit local economies. http://anishinaabeagriculture.org

Her Many Voices Foundation
Through environmental, cultural and community projects, Her Many Voices brings a diverse group of artists, humanitarian leaders and businesses together to help solve problems for the betterment of women, children and “our Mother Earth.” Her Many Voices was founded by Native American leader Alicia Fall, a former TEDx presenter and recipient of the New York State Assembly Citation Award. Through Alicia and her team’s work in education, inclusivity and collaboration, the organization is also dedicated to supporting farmers and is currently planning events for Earth Day 2023. https://www.hermanyvoices.org

J.E.D.I. Collaborative
Launched in April 2020, the mission of the J.E.D.I. Collaborative is to help create a natural products industry “that centers at its core justice, equity, diversity and inclusion” with systems-level solutions. According to a Natural and Organic Industry Benchmarking Survey conducted in late 2019 by the J.E.D.I Collaborative and New Hope Network, “only 2% of leadership positions within our industry companies and on company boards are occupied by black professionals. The situation isn’t better for Latinx professionals, who hold 2% of company board positions and 6% of company leadership roles within the U.S. natural products industry.” Women also represent only 23% of board seats for companies with more than 50 employees, according to the J.E.D.I. Collaborative, a project of One Step Closer. https://jedicollaborative.com

Naturally Network
Inspired by Naturally Boulder, a public-private partnership founded in 2005 to promote entrepreneurship in natural, organic, and sustainable products in Colorado, the Naturally Network has grown to become a national organization with nine independent chapters, including Naturally Austin, Naturally Bay Area, Naturally Boulder, Naturally Chicago, Naturally Los Angeles, Naturally Minnesota, Naturally New York, Naturally North Bay and Naturally San Diego. Linking emerging businesses and brands with seasoned veterans and mentors in natural and organic products, Naturally Network offers business education, resources for entrepreneurs, mentorship and diversity programs, and ongoing regional and national networking and event opportunities. As former Chair and Board Member of Naturally Boulder, this writer can’t recommend enough to individuals in the natural channel to get involved in the Naturally Network or one of the above mentioned regional chapters. https://www.naturallynetwork.org

Project Potluck
Breaking into the natural and organic products industry isn’t easy for anyone, and it’s especially challenging for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) to attract investors, find the right co-packers, refine recipes, and garner placement on retail shelves. Enter Project Potluck, established by Ibraheem Bashir, CPG veteran and founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a leading Black-owned natural food brand, to provide the support that minority entrepreneurs in the natural products space need to succeed. In March 2022, Project Potluck won New Hope Network’s inaugural Justice Award for its efforts promoting justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the natural and organic products industry, and the organization was recently featured in Forbes Magazine. https://www.potluckcpg.org

Wild Animal Sanctuary
Including animal welfare on this list, one of this writer’s personal favorites is the Wild Animal Sanctuary. Based an hour east of Denver in Keenesburg, CO, on nearly 700 acres, the organization rescues and provides a home to more than 350 large animals including lions, tigers, bears and wolves, many of which were rescued from abusive environments. Want to know where all those animals from the TV show Tiger King ended up? The Wild Animal Sanctuary saved more than 100 of them, providing sanctuary at its large, open-space environment where visitors can view the animals from elevated walkways and decks overlooking this fenced-in “Serengeti of the West.” The organization also recently saved the lives of 11 African lions that were located in an active war zone in Ukraine. The sanctuary welcomes visitors and your support. https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org

FOOD & AGRICULTURE

Kiss the Ground
With a passionate, committed and growing community inspired by Kiss the Ground: the Movie, a full-length documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson that sheds light on a “new, old approach” to farming called regenerative agriculture, Kiss the Ground was founded in 2013 to educate about and advance a system of agriculture and food production that rebuilds our soils and water resources, sequesters carbon from the atmosphere and feeds the world. Kiss the Ground’s mission is to awaken people to the possibilities of regeneration and inspire participation through storytelling, education, and advocacy. https://kisstheground.com

Regenerative Organic Alliance
The Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) comprises a group of experts in farming, ranching, soil health, animal welfare and farmer and worker fairness. Founded by the Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia, other members of the alliance include Compassion in World Farming, Fair World Project, and the Textile Exchange. The ROA was established to continuously review and update the Regenerative Organic Certified® framework, a recently introduced certification program for food, fiber, and personal care ingredients that represents the “highest standard” for organic agriculture in the world, with stringent requirements for soil health, animal welfare and social fairness. https://regenorganic.org

Regeneration International
With a vision to collaborate with consumers, educators, business leaders and policy makers, Regeneration International’s mission is to work with multiple stakeholders in key regions around the world to promote, facilitate and accelerate the global transition to regenerative food, farming and land management for the purpose of cooling the planet, restoring climate stability, ending world hunger and rebuilding deteriorated social, ecological and economic systems. Regeneration International, which offers a number of resources for those interested in regenerative organic agriculture and climate change, is a project of the Organic Consumers Association. https://regenerationinternational.org

Regenerative Rising
With events including Women Leading Regeneration and the Regenerative Earth Summit, plus an ongoing podcast series, Regenerative Rising is dedicated to elevating and forwarding regenerative principles that expand a living systems worldview. The organization engages leaders in agriculture, business, and finance to elevate stories of regeneration and innovation to activate urgent and necessary change in business strategy, public policy and personal decision-making that serves the long term health and betterment of people and the Earth. https://regenerativerising.org

The Rodale Institute
Celebrating 75 years of organic leadership, the “OG” of organic agriculture and research, The Rodale Institute remains on the vanguard of science and best practices in advancing organic and regenerative agriculture. The Rodale Institute’s main office is located on a 386-acre organic research and education farm in eastern Pennsylvania that investigates a number of organic crops and rotations, including hemp, and also the value of animal husbandry in regenerative agriculture. In September 2022, General Mills announced it would donate the Cascadian Farm home farm in Skagit County, WA, to the institute, bringing the total number of Rodale Institute research campuses to 12. The organization also recently partnered with Colorado-based nonprofit Mad Agriculture to help farmers transition to organic and regenerative organic farming methods. The Rodale Institute was originally founded in 1947 as the Soil and Health Foundation by Rodale Press founder J.I. Rodale. https://rodaleinstitute.org

NUTRITION & HEALTH

American Botanical Council
Founded in 1986 and based in Austin, TX, the mission of the American Botanical Council (ABC) is to help people live healthier lives through the responsible use of herbal medicine. ABC is an independent, nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to providing science-based, accurate and reliable information for consumers, healthcare practitioners, researchers, educators, industry, and the media about the safe and effective use of herbs and medicinal plants. Through monographs, a comprehensive library, its newsletter, HerbalGram, and more, the American Botanical Council is a vital resource for advocates and makers of herbal-based products, from tinctures and topicals to functional foods and personal care products. https://www.herbalgram.org

Chef Ann Foundation
The Chef Ann Foundation is dedicated to promoting whole ingredient, scratch cooking in schools. Scratch cooking enables schools to serve the healthiest, tastiest meals so that kids are well nourished and ready to learn. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the foundation works with both public and private schools in all 50 states. Founded in 2009 by “the Renegade Lunch Lady,” Chef Ann Cooper — an internationally recognized author, chef, educator, public speaker, and advocate of healthy food for all children — the foundation reports it has helped more than 13,500 schools and 3.3 million kids eat healthier, fresher school meals. https://www.chefannfoundation.org

Conscious Alliance
With the slogan “Art that Feeds,” Conscious Alliance partners with food makers, musicians, artists, and music lovers to empower youth and end hunger in underserved communities. Working with top recording artists and bands, concert-goers, food donors and supporters, many of which are natural food brands, the alliance organizes major food drives at concerts and music festivals nationwide to deliver food directly to economically isolated communities in need, including Native American reservations and rural areas, such as the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. https://consciousalliance.org

Feeding America
As a leading national network of food banks, Feeding America is seeing a spike in demand among its member network of food banks and food pantries amid rising food prices. According to Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, an estimated 53 million or more people in the U.S. are currently food insecure. The organization also is seeing a decrease in donated food and a decrease in federal commodities, meaning member food banks are having to buy more food at a time when food costs are high. “…if I could break down whom it is that comes to us in need of help, as a rule, we’re talking about children. A huge portion of those who are counting on us and the work that we do would be kids, the elderly, people with disabilities,” said Babineaux-Fontenot in an interview with NPR. https://www.feedingamerica.org

The Organic Center
The Organic Center, based in Washington, D.C., is an independent non-profit educational and research organization operating under the administrative auspices of the Organic Trade Association. Founded in 2002 with a mission to conduct, convene and disseminate credible, evidence-based science on the environmental and health effects of organic food and farming, and to communicate those findings to the public, The Organic Center collaborates with academic and governmental institutions to advance research. The Organic Center is the organic products industry’s leading research and education organization advocating for the nutritional, health, environmental and climate mitigating benefits of organic food production. https://www.organic-center.org

Vitamin Angels
Founded in 1994 by natural products industry veteran Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels is a public health nonprofit organization working to improve nutrition and health outcomes in low-resource settings worldwide. The organization helps to strengthen, extend, and amplify the impact of partner organizations working to reach the most nutritionally vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, infants, and children who are underserved by existing systems with evidence-based nutrition interventions and health services. Vitamin Angels works with more than 1,200 local organizations, including governments, to reach more than 70 million women and children in 65 countries annually. https://www.vitaminangels.org

Whole Planet Foundation
Founded in 2005, Whole Planet Foundation is a Whole Foods Market foundation that funds poverty alleviation worldwide where the company sources products. The nonprofit’s mission is to empower the world’s poorest people with micro-credit and the chance to create or expand a home-based or small business to help lift themselves and their families out of poverty. As of June 2022, Whole Planet Foundation is helping to alleviate poverty through micro-finance partners in the U.S. and 79 other countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. To date, the nonprofit reports it has disbursed $101 million through micro-lending partners worldwide, funding 6 million micro-loans and 30 million opportunities for a better life for micro-entrepreneurs and their family members. https://wholeplanetfoundation.org

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