Reserve Fund Campaign
Urban Tilth invites you to show your continued support for our work by contributing to our Reserve Fund Campaign.
Right now, we’re asking you to do more than donate. We’re asking you to help us stand strong despite uncertainty.
The Reality
Nonprofits like ours are closing their doors every day. Funding cuts. Economic uncertainty. Political upheaval. The organizations that survive aren’t just the ones doing good work; they’re the ones prepared for the storm.
The Opportunity
Your contribution to our Reserve Fund isn’t charity. It’s a strategy. It’s ensuring that when a crisis hits, Urban Tilth doesn’t just survive but continues leading the fight for justice in Richmond.
Three Months. That’s All We Need.
Our goal is simple but urgent: secure three months of operational & program expenses so we can continue to be a bold catalyst for food justice and just transition in Richmond.
Help us raise $1.2M in received grants and pledges by our December 31, 2025.
We are asking for contributions of $20,000+ in commemoration of our 20 years of service, but of course any amount moves us towards our goal.
We’ve secured $440,000 and, with your help, we can raise the remaining $750,000 to cover essential program, staff, and operational expenses.
Three months is the difference between weathering uncertainty and being swept away by it.
Three months ensures that when our community needs us most, we’re still here.
This is your moment to be part of Urban Tilth’s next chapter—not just as a supporter, but as a co-creator of our future.
To make a contribution send a check payable to:
Urban Tilth
323 Brookside Drive
Richmond, California 94801
For more information on our Reserve Fund policy or how to make an EFT contribution, contact Doria Robinson.
Learn more about our Reserve Fund Policy
About the Reserve Fund
Since the pandemic of 2019, the establishment of a Board-Designated Operating Reserve has been a high priority.
This essential financial management tool will enable Urban Tilth to:
- Manage cash flow interruptions.
- Minimize the need for working capital borrowing
- Meet commitments, obligations, or other contingencies
Purpose
The purpose of the fund is to act as a Board-Designated Operating Reserve, unencumbered and uncommitted, at a level relative to the annual program funding and the costs of operating and maintaining the organization. The Operating Reserve is intended to serve a dynamic role and is available to be utilized as needed rather than being static.
Definition
The fund will consist of liquid assets and investments accounted for separately from Undesignated Operating Funds in the asset section of a balance sheet. Liquid assets are those that may be converted to cash quickly and easily.
Management
Board-Designated Operating Reserves shall be accounted for separately and apart from Undesignated Operating Funds. Board-designated operating Reserves will also be physically segregated in a separate money market interest-bearing account. The Board should review investment options for the reserve fund when the fund reaches a balance that equals 12 months of general operations.
Goal
The Operating Reserve goal will be to achieve and maintain between three and six months of Program Funding and Operating Costs.
Uses
Short term (90 days or less) to cover delays in payment of receivables for funded programs only (this requires written contracted funds or funds with an approved written grant award).
Funds for the emergency needs of Urban Tilth. Use of the reserve fund for emergency needs will require a formal vote of the Board of Directors.
Governance
The procedure for approving use of the Operating Reserve Funds will be as follows:
- Request submitted to Finance Committee.
- Action taken by the Finance Committee.
- Notification of action taken to the Board of Directors during quarterly board meetings
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed every year by the Finance Committee or sooner if conditions warrant. Any changes thereto will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.