We are Community Strong
We know giving back feels good. That’s why, on behalf of our owners, we give hundreds of thousands in monetary, food and gift card donations each year. We want you to feel the love, too. Choose your own adventure below and reap the rewards of paying it forward or getting by with a little help from your friends.
The BriarPatch Difference
Cooperative Community Fund.
A limited number of grants are available each year, and in 2022 we are focusing on the sustainability and viability of the Sacramento River Watershed. Do you have a project that contributes to the overall health of the watershed? Apply May 1 through October 31.
PatchWorks Program.
Want to make a difference in your community and get an awesome discount at your co-op, too? Become a volunteer! PatchWorks serves to create positive, meaningful and lasting impact in our community through participation and cooperation .
Apples for Gardens.
We donate 10 cents for every pound of apples sold. Every month, a different school or nonprofit-run community garden is featured, and the money raised goes directly to help cover the costs of its garden educators and infrastructure. Want to grow your community garden? Let us know.
Sponsorships.
Sponsorships between BriarPatch and community nonprofits are an annual relationship in which funding is negotiated and mutually agreed upon for the calendar year. Interested organizations may submit a letter of interest which clearly outlines how funds will be used and how the organization aligns with BriarPatch’s Ends Policies.
Round Up At The Register.
Each month we donate the generous pool of funds that shoppers round up to a deserving nonprofit organization. Together, in small ways, we can make a real contribution to our community. Are you a nonprofit that would like to become a recipient? Apply June 1 thru August 31, 2022.
Tabling for Nonprofits.
We welcome non-profit groups and schools to apply to have a table out in front of our Grass Valley store to help serve our owners and customers.
Patch Donations
BriarPatch Food Co-op is committed to supporting a better world. We do this by giving back to the nonprofit groups and organizations who are doing good work locally and beyond. Our Ends Policies provide the filter that helps us decide which organizations we donate to financially and in-kind each year.
All donation requests are competitive and given a careful and equitable review. To be considered, please submit a formal application at least 30 days in advance of the time when your request is needed. BriarPatch considers donations for general core operating support and more specific project and event support. Please, submit only one donation request per organization per calendar year.
For full donation guidelines, click here.
Community Announcements
Pride on the Patio
Save the Date! Pride on the Patio is 1-3pm June 29! BriarPatch is throwing a community Pride event to raise awareness and to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. We’ll be joined by local nonprofits and community groups: Nevada County Pride, Bright Futures for Youth/ NEO and […]
Plastic-Free July
In July, we join the #Plastic-freeJuly Movement to help reduce single use plastic! We’ve got lots of ideas for how you can do this, but really it’s up to you to pick one thing (or all the things!) and see if you can eliminate it […]
Happy Pride Month
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! Eat Cookies, Support Local Youth! Our Bakery is busy baking fresh rainbow cookies (made with natural dyes) in support of the Rainbow Social, a group of local Nevada County youth and young adults who identify as LGTBQIA+ who come together to share […]
Following Our Principles
We exist to serve our owners and the communities where we live. Here are the 7 principles that we follow as a co-op that guide us in our giving back programs.
Concern for Community
We support the sustainable development of our communities. We respect animal habitats, human habitats and recognize our dependence
on the Earth.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
We actively strengthen the cooperative economy locally, regionally, nationally and internationally by working together.
Education Training & Information
We provide education for our owners and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of our cooperative. We proactively inform and engage our community about issues that contribute to our Ends.
Autonomy & Independence
We are an autonomous, self-help organization governed by our owners. If we enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, we do so on terms that maintain our cooperative autonomy.
Member Economic Participation
Owners contribute equitably to the capital of our cooperative. A portion of that capital is the common property of the cooperative.
Owners usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of ownership. Owners are encouraged to patronize and invest in the co-op.
Democratic Member Control
We are a democratic organization governed by our owners. Elected representatives are accountable to the membership. All members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote).
Voluntary & Open Membership
We are a voluntary organization, safe and open to all people, without discrimination based on race, religion, age, social status, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity.