Fall Mini-Grants

These projects were part of our mini-grant program, which involves a shorter application, shorter project timelines, and a total funding limit of $5,000 per project. 

Building Equitable and Inclusive Food Systems at UC Berkeley: Foodscape Mapping Project

Project Description

This project builds upon a past 2015 TGIF funded project by the BFI that created a foodscape map. The BFI used the data from this map to create a Sustainable and Just Catering Guide (SJCG). With this project, the BFI hopes to help campus departments and student groups adopt the SJCG, which will help reduce plastic use and food waste, and will emphasize small, diverse businesses. The money will go towards a graduate student fellow, with a small amount going towards outreach material.

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Bear Share

Project Description

The Bear Share Project is a one of a kind initiative aimed at setting up a shared facilities system, potentially saving thousands of dollars per semester and reducing the cost of living on campus especially for newly incoming students and students with less resources. It will promote a circular economy and get people on board who may not normally think about sustainability and community wellness as it will create a chance to reduce on buying unnecessary items and add to the university’s goal of going fully sustainable too.

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Supporting and Expanding the Green Labs Certification Program

Project Description

This Green Labs project is seeking funds to support campus labs in obtaining Green Lab certification, piloting the use of alternative lab materials that are not dependent on single-use plastics, and the creation of software to track lab energy consumption and waste production

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Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Vertical Farming at Berkeley Prototype 1 Upscaling

Project Description

VFB is a non-profit, research-oriented organization with the ambition to establish the first and only vertical farm at UC Berkeley. With sustainability in mind, we aim to increase yield and resource efficiency by investigating symbiotic microbe interactions in a hydroponic environment and developing mechanical automation technology, from ECU-controlled water maintenance to labor-free planting/harvesting. Vertical Farming is the general idea of growing produce in a controlled environment with space, resource efficiency, and produce quality in mind....

BSFC Culinary Cultures Education Project

Project Description

This project aims to bridge the cultural disconnect in the BSFC's food prep service by hiring a Culinary Cultures Education Associate to do outreach work. The food prep system diverts food that would otherwise be wasted into cooked meals that are offered on a sliding scale of $1-5. Through this project, the BSFC hopes to help students understand the cultural history of their food and avoid perpetuating the white capitalist nature of our food system. Money will go towards the student salary, with a small amount going towards outreach material....

PlateUp: Reducing Single-Use Plastic Takeout Waste

Project Description

The proposed project consists of surveying, identifying, and assisting (10) pilot restaurants in their transition from single-use plastic takeout boxes to compostables and/or reusables.

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Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Bear Pantry Plots at the UVA Community Garden

Project Description

Grad and Family Living is seeking funds to cultivate a space for growing seasonal produce, which will integrate the Pantry with the UVA Community garden. Their initiative aims to improve the surrounding habitat as well as increase nutritional diversity, local sustainability and community building.

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FAST Sustainability Show

Project Description

Fashion and Student Trends (FAST) seeks funds to support a sustainable fashion show's transition to more ethical and eco-friendly resources. They will source sustainable make-up, fabric, and materials as well as compostable or reusables for food distribution.

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Graduate Outdoor Pals for Equity (GOPE) Workshops

Project Description

GOPE is seeking funds to support a series of workshops on edible gardening, foraging, and herbal medicine, specifically to engage with URM (underrepresented minorities), and FGLI(first-generation, low-income) graduate students. Their goal is to promote equity and inclusivity in outdoor spaces as well as build community and confidence in the outdoors.

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Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Optimization and Integration of Anionic Surfactant-Degrading Bacteria into Aeroponic Lettuce Systems

Project Description

Vertical Farming at Berkeley is requesting funds in order to research detergent-degrading bacteria to purify water for their farm. Their future goal is to supply fresh produce to eateries like Cal Dining.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)