The Food Waste Funder Circle

A Curated Network for Food Waste Funders

Food waste reduction is a powerful, largely untapped lever for tackling some of our biggest challenges, from climate change and food security to economic resilience and environmental sustainability. The opportunity now is to mobilize the capital and connections to accelerate them.

ReFED’s Funder Group brings together funders and investors to identify opportunities, address bottlenecks, and mobilize resources for high-impact solutions.

Together, we’re working to increase the capital flowing to these solutions, accelerate its deployment, and improve its effectiveness.

Connect with peers. Discover opportunities. Move capital where it can have the greatest impact.

Become A Member

Our Members

The Food Waste Funder Circle is home to more than 200 global funders—including individuals, family offices, venture funds, private foundations, corporate foundations, venture capital firms, and others—united by their desire to scale solutions to reduce food waste by deploying philanthropic capital, impact investment, and market-rate investment. Here's a selection of members who have chosen to be publicly recognized.

Network-at-a-Glance

The Food Waste Funder Circle is a global network designed for investors (individuals and fund representatives), philanthropic funders, and their advisors exploring or interested in using their capital to solve food waste challenges. It's the only funder network focused exclusively on opportunities within the food waste space.

$128M+ of Capital Deployed into Food Waste Solutions Since 2021
200+ Individual Members
$231B+ Member Assets Under Management

"Food waste is a systems challenge, and no single individual or initiative can solve it alone. ReFED has created a trusted space for philanthropy to exchange ideas, identify opportunities for collaboration, and align our investments to drive greater collective impact. I’ve found the Funder Circle to be invaluable in helping us better understand the landscape, avoid duplicative efforts, and identify where our collective resources can create the greatest impact.”

Kaylyn Fern

Director of Strategic Philanthropy, The Whiteman Family Foundation

"Working with a group that understands the space and can provide informed perspectives on the opportunity for any given company is a tremendous value-add for investors. The Food Waste Funder Circle community supports investors who want to be value-add beyond making a financial commitment, but also want to understand the business and help teams achieve the milestones they are raising funding rounds to fulfill."

Lauren Abda

Co-Founder, Branch Venture Group

"The Food Waste Funder Circle is a comprehensive network of highly motivated and purpose-driven stakeholders who are genuinely passionate about addressing this important issue. Every conversation and every interaction is energizing, educational, and inspiring!"

David Tswamuno

General Partner, Fairbridge Park

"Throughout my career, I have been a member of numerous investment groups and networks but have rarely seen one as well-organized as the Food Waste Funder Circle. Creating something great comes down to the small details, and no attention has been spared at the Funder Circle."

François Ritchot

Investment Director, SAGANA

"Builders is excited about access to ReFED’s amazing research, connections with companies, and solution providers in the space, and the opportunity to be part of a network of investors building the food waste ecosystem."

Katherine Hersh

Operating Partner, The Builders Fund

"I’ve already seen connections come out of the network and am excited to continue to share resources, research, and opportunities with others in the community. The fact that so many different types of investors are interested in the Food Waste Funder Circle shows that there is a burgeoning market opportunity, as well as a passionate group of financiers looking to help these businesses scale and integrate into our daily lives."

Jenn Burka

Principal, FTW Ventures

"Participating in the Funder Circle allows our organization to build a better understanding of what practitioners and funders are focused on in the sector. We are able to build relationships with peer funders and gain insights from ReFED staff, which help surface relevant research and highlight potential investments that align with our foundation's specific strategy."

Mia Schulman

Executive Director, Einstein Astrof Foundation

Connect on...

Learn more about how ReFED collaborates with funders by contacting Angel Veza, Director, Innovation & Strategic Capital.

Contact Angel

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to join?

The Food Waste Funder Circle is free to join.

Will my participation be public?

When registering (opens in a new tab) for the Food Waste Funder Circle, members can choose whether to be publicly listed. We recognize that funders have different preferences and considerations around visibility, and participation in the network does not require a public affiliation. Whether you prefer to engage publicly or behind the scenes, you’ll have access to the same community, resources, and opportunities.

Can I share this with others?

Absolutely—if you have an individual or organization in mind who should join the Food Waste Funder Circle, please share this information with them.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have any questions, please contact Angel Veza at angel.veza@refed.org.

How do I sign up?

Click here (opens in a new tab) to fill out the short application form.

Have more questions about the Food Waste Funder Circle? Email Angel Veza at angel.veza@refed.org.

Ready to join? Fill out the application form at this link (opens in a new tab).