A Call to Action for Philanthropy to Move with Urgency, Flexibility, and Boldness
a note from Sallie Calhoun, NoRegrets founder
We are living in chaotic times, and the nonprofit organizations working on issues dearest to my heart – climate and regenerative agriculture – are facing unprecedented challenges. Recent federal actions—including executive orders, funding freezes, and mass layoffs—have disrupted essential programs, leaving communities and organizations struggling to maintain services and putting vital initiatives at risk.
In this moment of uncertainty, philanthropy has a unique opportunity to lead. Alongside a group of my peers, including Kat Taylor, Mighty Arrow Family Foundation, Woka Foundation, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture (FORA), and Martha and Hunter Grubb Foundation, I have signed THIS LETTER, developed collaboratively by our individual foundations. It is a call to action for philanthropy to move with urgency, flexibility, and boldness. And more specifically, our letter is an INVITATION to contribute to the SHOT (Soil Health Opportunities & Tools) Fund, a joint initiative the Rural Climate Partnership (RCP) and Regenerative Agriculture Foundation (RAF) to pool funding in support of the organizations on the front lines of the regenerative agriculture and climate movement.
We have already seen the SHOT Fund at work; they moved quickly to raise capital and then distribute $1.7 million in recoverable grants to 25 organizations in late February. NoRegrets was a proud contributor to that first round of the SHOT Fund, and we hoped it would inspire others to join. Of note: Inside Philanthropy wrote a GREAT piece featuring SHOT Fund. These grants offer more than emergency relief: they are a preventative investment and a model for deploying flexible philanthropic capital in times of systemic disruption.
The SHOT Fund is now preparing to do a 2nd round of Emergency Recoverable Grants by May 2025, with a targeted pool of $3 million. The federal funding situation has continued to devolve, and while some federal funding is being restored, other funding has been terminated like the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program totaling nearly $3B. The SHOT Fund is looking to raise an additional $1.5 million in short-term funding in April to reach their $3 million goal ($1.5 million is already committed). This funding will help provide immediate support to organizations in the regenerative agriculture and climate sector. For more information, please reach out to RAF’s Executive Director, Mark Muller by email (Mark@
I’m asking you to JOIN US by contributing to the SHOT fund, or finding a similarly impactful way to move resources in this critical moment.
Philanthropy is not just about generosity—it is about ensuring that organizations on the frontlines have the resources they need—not just to survive, but to continue their essential work strengthening communities, advancing equity, and protecting democracy. Join us in this work.
In community,
Sallie Calhoun, NoRegrets Initiative