The Proof Is in the Partnership

Across the Midwest, small farms and food producers have promising ideas for products and growing methods that could help feed our region and build the sustainable local food economy that is vital to our future. Sadly, many of these entrepreneurs are blocked from reaching their full potential because they lack access to financial resources.

To help solve this challenge, the Trust and Kinship Foundation (a private foundation that supports the administration of the Searle Funds) teamed up to create an innovative new concept known as Proofing Station. Launched in August 2023, Proofing Station offers flexible financing and technical assistance to small and mid-sized farms and food businesses in states throughout the Midwest. Its first initiative is creating a $25 million impact-first investment fund that seeks to address four key market gaps:

• Engaging often-excluded market players such as women and people of color.
• Increasing long-term access to land and other necessary assets.
• Expanding the region’s supply chain infrastructure to better support new products and markets.
• Advancing sustainable farming practices to help our region foster a more resilient future.

In less than a year, the initiative has hired its first executive director and raised $11 million in investment capital, surpassing its $10 million launch goal and affirming there is enthusiasm among investors for supporting this work. In addition to a key $5 million contribution from the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, other founding funders include the Lumpkin Family Foundation and Margot L. Pritzker Fund.

Proofing Station was conceived by Food:Land:Opportunity (FLO), a collaboration between Kinship Foundation and the Trust since 2014. FLO aims to create a resilient local food economy that protects land and other natural resources while promoting innovation and building wealth and assets in the Chicago region.

“Proofing Station is one of the latest examples of the creative, collaborative philanthropy between the Trust and Kinship Foundation that we are grateful to be a part of,” says Lenore Beyer, Kinship Foundation’s Director of Conservation Initiatives.

First Investment

In 2024, Proofing Station announced its inaugural investment: $1 million to The Conservation Fund’s Farms Fund. This investment will enable The Conservation Fund to purchase and conserve critical farmland in the Chicago region and provide a patient path to farmland ownership for new and disadvantaged farmers – thus aligning with two of Proofing Station’s priorities (land access and market inclusion).

“By reducing market barriers for local food innovators, our region can lead the way in creating a more sustainable future for people and the planet.”

Cortney Renton
Executive Director
Proofing Station

How You Can Help

Invest in a Stronger Regional Food System

Proofing Station is open to mission-driven investors who are interested in helping transform the Midwest’s food system to be more resilient and sustainable. Contact your Trust philanthropic advisor or Cortney Renton at cortney@proofingstation.org.

Spread the Word

Know an innovative food business? Invite them to learn more about this funding opportunity by filling out Proofing Station’s simple open intake form.

Learn More

Visit www.proofingstation.org