Kit Crawford and Gary Erickson: Donor Grants
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Clif Bar
FUNDING AREAS: Environment, Civic Space
OVERVIEW: Kit Crawford and her husband Gary Erickson founded Clif Bar Family Foundation in 2006 to support grassroots groups with inspiring ideas and limited funds. It is interested in conserving wild places and open spaces, advocating for pedestrian- and bike-friendly communities, and expanding urban forests and restore watersheds.
BACKGROUND: Kit Crawford graduated from Ohlone College and received her bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University. Crawford and her husband Gary Erickson own 80 percent of Clif Bar, which also makes Luna Bars. The products are sold in nearly 20 countries.
Gary Erickson graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He co-founded Clif Bar & Company in 1991. He also founded White Road Investments and started a career in professional baking.
ISSUES:
CLIF BAR FAMILY FOUNDATION: The Clif Bar Family Foundation support grassroots groups with inspiring ideas and limited funds. Its small grants program focuses on “protecting Earth's beauty and bounty’ creating a robust, healthy food system; increasing opportunities for outdoor activity; reducing environmental health hazards; and building stronger communities.” In 2009, the foundation launched a special initiative called Seed Matters, which advocates for the protection and improvement of organic seed by working for policies that conserve crop genetic diversity, protect farmers' roles and rights as seed innovators and stewards, and reinvigorate public seed research and education.
Grantees have included 412 Food Rescue, Alliance for Climate Education, Austin Youth & Community Farm, Black Culinarian Alliance, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, Climate Defense Project, Garden for the Environment, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and Oregon Environmental Council.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect this wealthy couple to continue to dig into the environmental philanthropy and supporting grassroots organizations.
LINK: Contact Page
