Hi y'all, Aly here :)

I'm reaching out because I need your help. Since 2016, I have been a core volunteer with Festival Beach Food Forest (FBFF), a vibrant, community-driven edible forest garden on public land with a mission to nourish, educate and inspire. I've seen the food forest transform so many people's lives for the better, including my own. The strength of our communithy and the depth of our impact is stunning.

I'm reaching out today in hopes that you will be a part of this story by joining or increasing your impact in our donor base today.  

We are currently tripling the size of the food forest and have just planted 150 new trees in our Phase II. We envision an accessible space that will provide the public access to even more wisdom, connection to nature, food and medicine free of charge. The design will be simultaneously functional and inviting, and provide many community and ecosystem services. An outdoor kitchen, community deck, and education pavilion will serve as an important anchor for transforming our campus into a community resilience hub.

But to make our full vision a reality, we need your support! 

To bring this dream to life, we humbly seek your generosity. We need funding to help us:

1. Plant the Forest: This includes purchasing trees, shrubs, herbs, and other edible plants, as well as materials for mulching and irrigation, in support of the existing Phase I and the new Phase II of this project.

2. Build Community Programs: We want to offer more educational workshops, continue to host volunteer events, build our Cocina Cosecha (kitchen & learning space), and develop a thriving community hub that fosters collaboration and sharing.

3. Sustain the Future: Ongoing care and maintenance are key to ensuring the longevity of the Food Forest, so we’re raising funds for tools, equipment, skilled labor, and training for volunteers to continue managing the site.

Your Contribution Will Make a Difference

Every donation, large or small, will directly support our sustainable, community-powered Food Forest. Whether it’s a one-time gift or a recurring donation, your support will help sustain & expand a space where fresh food is abundant, nature is celebrated, and neighbors come together for the common good. Here’s a few ways your donation can make a difference:

And we will automatically enter you into a raffle!

We will be giving away Food Forest gift packages to three lucky donors! These packages will include surprise handcrafted gifts by forest volunteers such as tinctures, teas and salves made with plants harvested from the forest; art prints; stickers and more! (please note that raffle winners will be contacted in early 2025, as we have to wait until then to receive complete donor information from the Austin Community Foundation's matching program).

If you plan to donate $50 or more and this is your FIRST TIME donating to the Food Forest, please use this alternative method to donate today to have your gift MATCHED by Austin Community Foundation! When making your donation, select "Specify Organization" and type in "Fruitful Commons-FBFF".

Why Giving Tuesday Matters

Giving Tuesday isn’t just about one day of giving; it’s about creating a ripple effect of kindness, generosity, and collective impact. With your donation, you’ll help us:

1. Provide free, accessible food that is available to harvest by all;
2. Offer education on local edible and medicinal plants, regenerative agriculture, and permaculture principles; and
3. Improve community connectedness by offering public events, workshops, and outdoor gathering space.

How to Get Involved:

• Donate: Make your gift on this page on Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024) or become a monthly sustaining donor by joining the Giving Guild.
• Spread the Word: Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues. Use #GivingTuesday and tag us at @austin_food_forest on Instagram to help us reach even more people.
• Volunteer: Give your time by signing up to help with our upcoming initiatives — every hour you give has a lasting impact.

Together, We Can Make This Giving Tuesday Unforgettable.

This is your chance to make a direct, positive impact by caring for land and eachother. Thank you for being a part of our community, for believing in our mission, and for helping us create a more sustainable, connected, liberated tomorrow.

More about Festival Beach Food Forest:

What is a Food Forest?

A Food Forest is a low-maintenance, permaculture-inspired garden that mimics a natural forest ecosystem, with layers of edible plants including fruit trees, berries, herbs, nuts, vegetables, and even mushrooms. It’s a place where people can freely access fresh, nutritious food, learn about regenerative agriculture, and connect with nature — all while helping to restore the health of the environment.

Why a Food Forest?

• Access to Fresh, Local Food: In many communities, healthy, affordable food is not always easy to come by. A Food Forest provides an ongoing source of fresh, nutrient-rich food for all.

• Environmental Impact: Food Forests act as carbon sinks, support biodiversity, and help regenerate soil and water resources. It’s a holistic approach to tackling climate change and urban food insecurity.

• Community Building: The Food Forest is more than just a garden; it’s a gathering place for community members to get their hands in the soil, share knowledge, and form lasting connections. It’s a project that brings people together for shared benefit and collective care.

• Education and Empowerment: By getting involved in the Food Forest, community members will learn valuable skills in permaculture, sustainable gardening, and food preservation — skills that can be applied in their own homes and shared with others.

Together, we plant the seeds of a healthier, more resilient community.

Thank you for your support!