Steering Committee

As a fiscally-sponsored program of Humane America Animal Foundation, Farmed Animal Funders has a steering committee, in lieu of a board of directors.

The Steering Committee meets every other month over Zoom, and has the responsibility of representing FAF members, providing oversight to the organization’s operations, and guiding our strategy.

Current Steering Committee

Sara Murray (Chair)

David Coman-Hidy

River Ewing

James Özden

Timi Sobrato

Steering Committee Selection Process

Requirements

Steering Committee members must:

  • Commit to FAF’s mission to alleviate animal suffering and fight factory farming

  • Network with other funders, both in and outside of FAF, in a way that helps grow the pool of giving directed to farmed animals

  • Be collaborative, supportive, and open-minded 

  • Represent the diverse opinions, identities, and backgrounds of FAF members

  • Meet or exceed the $250k annual threshold for farmed animal-oriented philanthropy

  • Abide by FAF’s Code of Conduct

Further expectations of SC members include:   

  • Attend at least 5 of 6 monthly meetings by phone or video 

  • Attend FAF’s annual in-person retreat with all members (2-3 days)

  • Represent, be responsible to, and engage with the membership

  • Collaborate with other Steering Committee members to develop the group’s strategic direction and strategy, advise on and approve the budget, oversee organizational capacity, and foster a culture of professional sustainability  

  • Provide big-picture guidance and support FAF’s’ Executive Director and staff 

  • Maintain confidentiality, be an exemplar of engagement, and support an atmosphere of openness and trust 

Steering Committee Appointment Process

Available Steering Committee (StC) seats are advertised to all FAF members. Any member who meets the $250,000+ USD giving threshold of FAF may be nominated by another member to join the StC as seats become available. However, two members who represent the same foundation or charitable institution (including family offices) cannot nominate each other or serve on the steering committee concurrently. New StC members will be appointed with input from staff and current StC members.