Evidence to Investment - Using Community Café Research to Build a Funding Pipeline
The community café movement has reached a pivotal moment. For the first time, the growing body of research on the community café model is beginning to rival—and in some areas surpass—the depth of research that has long shaped traditional food bank systems. This shift presents a powerful opportunity: funders are no longer only asking what we do, but what the evidence shows.
This workshop explores how community cafés can effectively use existing research to strengthen grant proposals, deepen funder confidence, and build sustainable funding pipelines. Participants will examine the current community café research landscape and discuss how data, evaluations, and shared learnings can be translated into compelling funding narratives that align with philanthropic priorities.
Beyond simply citing studies, the workshop will focus on how cafés are actively leveraging research to demonstrate impact, articulate systems change, and position their work within a broader movement toward dignity‑centered, community‑driven food access. Participants will share how they are using—or struggling to use—research in grant writing, reporting, and long‑term funding strategy, learning from peers who have successfully embedded evidence into their development work.
Participants will:
Explore the growing body of community café research and why it matters to funders
Discuss how this research compares to and challenges traditional food system models
Learn practical ways to integrate research into grant proposals and funder conversations
Share approaches for turning evidence into long‑term funding strategy, not just one‑time grants
Reflect on how research can collectively strengthen the community café movement
This workshop is ideal for executive leaders, development professionals, board members, and anyone responsible for fundraising who wants to move from anecdotal storytelling to evidence‑informed investment—and help shape the future of community cafés as a proven, fundable model.
FACILITATOR: Lori Borchers, Texas Christian University
LOCATION:
First Presbyterian Church
650 2nd Ave North
Fargo, ND 58102