Tell us about yourself!
- How did you first get involved in philanthropy?
I began fundraising for a nonprofit organization that provides free mental health services for women of color. I am now fundraising for a nonprofit organization called Deep Medicine Circle (DMC) that provides farm-to-table food to underserved populations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- What issues are you passionate about?
I am passionate about empowering local communities to come together to care for one another to get through challenging times. I am passionate about peace, which means educating people on how to work together to hold accountable and dismantle systems that exploit, steal, and pillage in the name of profit.
- What knowledge and skills do you bring to your giving?
I know how to grow food, and I understand how important this skill is particularly in these times of increasing food insecurity. This is why I am so passionate about the work of Deep Medicine Circle as they are growing food on an Oakland rooftop farm to feed their community. This is critically needed for all of our communities.
- What do you look for in the organizations you support?
I look for mutual aid organizations that care for the most marginalized. Our struggles are one struggle.
- How has SFF supported your philanthropy?
I have greatly appreciated working with SFF Senior Philanthropic Advisor Catherine Kelliher. SFF’s grantmaking and Donor Center portal is intuitive and easy to use.
Tell us about an organization you support.
- I am very discerning about the organizations I work with, and it became clear to me that Deep Medicine Circle (DMC) is doing work I am deeply passionate about. DMC works within the issues of climate and social justice, education, and food security locally and currently in Ireland. DMC provides two tons of food on its rooftop farm in Oakland for its local low-income population. DMC has built a model of care that all our communities desperately need.
- What inspires you about Deep Medicine Circle?
I was inspired by one of DMC’s Board of Directors, a UCSF medical doctor, Dr. Rupa Marya, in 2024 during a Gaza Genocide protest at Stanford University. This medical doctor was putting her career on the line for the people of Palestine. I knew she was a very special, morally courageous person. When I found out about her work developing DMC, I knew this was an organization I would be honored to be involved with.
- How has your relationship with this organization been meaningful to you?
DMC is literally feeding local families that are being exploited and actively harmed by the systems we all swim in. This is deeply meaningful to me, and I am honored to be able to support DMC’s efforts.
Any closing thoughts to share with other donors?
- If you could solve one problem, what would it be?
One of the primary problems I would solve is to redistribute wealth and privilege, so no one goes hungry, and so all children of the world and the earth herself are deeply cared for and tended to.
- What are your short- and long-term goals for your philanthropy?
I will work daily to support organizations and people who are helping the most marginalized. I am working to help DMC close a funding gap of $300K for 2026 and I will continue to help DMC access the funds they need to thrive.
