JavaJog is pleased to announce the members of the 2017 Grant Review Committee and the proposals currently under review.

The Committee is convened by the JavaJog Advisory Council to ensure a transparent and credible grants selection process and is  made up of independent external experts who review proposals and make recommendations to the Advisory Committee on the programs to be funded. This year’s committee is made up of three members, with background in the coffee industry, development arena, and individuals with direct experience in East African coffee and development programs.

2017 JAVAJOG GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

Charlene Lewey, Director Trade Promotion Management, King Arthur Flour: Charlene is responsible for driving trade promotion strategy and managing all facets of the trade promotion process including post promotion analytics, process optimization, supporting technology and deductions management. Previously she worked at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (now Keurig Green Mountain) where she was Sr. Director of Order to Cash processes. She has also served as Treasurer on the board of directors for the International Women’s Coffee Alliance and was formerly the Chairperson of the Board of Food4Farmers.

Katherine Nolte, Coffee Trader and Sustainability Coordinator, Sucafina:  Kat has background in coffee trading and finance, international business strategy advising, and green coffee supply chain development with a specialization in East African coffee.  She recently opened Sucafina’s West Coast quality lab in Seattle. Kat is Vice Chair of the Sustainability Council of the Specialty Coffee Association.

Ben Schmerler, Senior Director Philanthropy, Root Capital: Ben is responsible for overseeing all philanthropy fundraising, building relationships and engagement strategies with existing and potential donors, investors, government institutions and value chain actors. He provides management, oversight, and leadership towards achieving Root Capital’s strategic objectives. Previously, Ben was a senior global supply chain manager at Fair Trade USA, and he has spent many years working and bicycling across the planet. Ben is member of the Sustainability Council for the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and owns a small espresso bar in Boston. He holds a B.A. in environmental policy and political science from the University of Washington and speaks French, Spanish, and Wolof.

We are grateful to these individuals for their service and support of JavaJog!

2017 JAVAJOG GRANT PROPOSALS RECEIVED

We have received 5 innovative proposals which are currently under review:

• COMAL The Heritage Hen Project: Cultural Preservation, Food Sovereignty, and Income Diversification Among Mayan Women Coffee Producers
• The Chain Collaborative: Women Build the Future in Chaucha, Ecuador
• Food4Farmers: Women coffee farmers bring organic produce to the Jinotega community
• Girls Gotta Run Foundation: Scholarship and Savings Fund Project
• The Kula Project: Rwanda nursery and seedling distribution project

Stay tuned for the announcement of the grant recipients!

$18,000 to fund efforts to support women in coffee growing communities

Grant Proposals Now Being Accepted!

Another successful JavaJog in Seattle brought together nearly 100 runners and walkers for fun, camaraderie and a great cause April 21st at South Lake Union Park in Seattle. Thanks to our valuable sponsors and many volunteers and fundraisers, JavaJog 2017 raised $18,000 which can now be allocated to projects that invest in women in coffee producing communities around the world.

Top fundraisers this year were Elizabeth Goldblatt ($3315), Baratza ($1425) and Kimberly Easson ($900). Starbucks made a $3000 contribution to the cause, and race registrations for nearly 100 runners and walkers brought the total funds raised to just under $18,000.

Grant proposals are being accepted through June 21st. Please find the application and information about the process here.

Its easy to register for JavaJog 2017:

SCA Global Coffee Expo

JavaJog direct registration

Here is all you need to know to set up your fundraiser!

Don’t forget to pack your running shoes! JavaJog returns to Seattle this April in conjunction with the SCA Global Specialty Coffee Expo. Since 2013, JavaJog has brought together hundreds of coffee aficionados, runners, walkers and friends to raise more than $75,000 in support of coffee women in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia through local organizations on the ground.

After a year hiatus, the JavaJog organizing committee is committed to producing another great fun run and fundraiser. JavaJog 2017 will be held Friday, April 21st at South Lake Union Park in Seattle and will again focus on raising money for women in coffee growing regions from around the world.

“This year’s goal is to welcome 250 runners who will collectively raise $25,000 for projects to support women throughout the world,” explains Kimberly  Easson, a JavaJog co-founder.

“We are confident that our mission to connect women to the coffee community and funnel resources to projects that enable them to improve their position, their well-being and that of their families, farms, communities and organizations, will be met,” she added.

Adding to the race-day fun, will be Marcus Boni, who will join us again this year as the emcee. Boni is sure to have a few tricks up his sleeve, but expect to get ready for the race with a little pre-race warm ups and a few heats of our popular coffee bag sack races. Race-day coffee will be available, as will other vendors. Be sure to challenge your friends and colleagues to make this the biggest and best JavaJog event ever — set up a lively competition for the fastest runner, craziest costume, or highest fundraiser.

Established early in 2013 by Kimberly Easson, Beth Ann Caspersen, and Aimee Russillo. The Founders’ Run was held in Boston with 15 runners and raised $7500, which was donated to the women’s committee of the Sopacdi farmer’s cooperative in South Kivu, DRC. JavaJog 2014 raised more than $35,000 for coffee-farming women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The $23,000 raised in the 2015 JavaJog for a Cause has been awarded to two organizations working to better the lives of women in coffee growing communities in Ethiopia: Grounds for Health in partnership with Sidamo Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, and the Girls Gotta Run Foundation.

Thank you to our current JavaJog 2017 Gold Sponsors: Equal Exchange and Baratza. For information about sponsorship levels, contact javajog@gmail.com

Join us again this year at South Lake Union Park for fun, camaraderie and a great cause! Race start times are 7am for the 10K, and 7:30am for the 5K.

To register, visit SCA Global Coffee Expo or JavaJog.org

Start your fundraiser or support a runner at the JavaJog Crowdrise page.

JavaJog returns again to Seattle this April in conjunction with the annual Expo of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). Join us Friday April 21st at South Lake Union Park ~ race start times are 7am for the 10K, and 7:30am for the 5K.

This popular SCAA event has brought together hundreds of coffee aficionados, runners, walkers and friends to raise more than $75,000 in the first three races. These funds have been put to work in support of coffee women in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia through local organizations on the ground. Read more about the grants here.

Join us again this year at South Lake Union Park for fun, camaraderie and a great cause!

SPONSORS INVITED

Get the Race Details here.

REGISTER through the Global Specialty Coffee Expo registration process, or here.

Set up a fundraiser or sponsor a runner/walker here.

$23,000 raised in the 2015 JavaJog for a Cause has been awarded to two organizations working to better the lives of women in coffee growing communities in Ethiopia: Grounds for Health in partnership with Sidamo Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, and the Girls Gotta Run Foundation. More than 200 runners and walkers collected the funds that will now be used to support two inspiring projects and benefit nearly 2000 women in Ethiopia.

 JavaJog for a cause 2015 grant recipients include:

 Groundsfor Health – $18,000:  In Ethiopia, Grounds for Health is partnering with the Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (SCFCU) as well as the Sidama Zone Health Department and Regional Health Bureau of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) to establish a cervical cancer screening and treatment program, addressing a critical gap in women’s health services in Ethiopia, where there are approximately 20 million women at risk for cervical cancer and 5,000 preventable deaths expected in 2015. Funding from Java Jog would be used to reach 2,898 women aged 30-49 in the communities of the Telamo Coffee Cooperative with education and direct provision of screening and treatment services. Funds will cover professional services, medical supplies and procedures, medical equipment, training, and various other costs associated with the screening and treatment program.

Girls Gotta Run Foundation – $5,000: The GGRF Savings Group Project will establish savings groups with women in coffee growing regions, providing them with greater access to financial resources, business training and female mentorship.

As a result, these women will be better able to invest this saved money back into their community through micro-loans and grants to small businesses. The proposed GGRF Savings Group Project will work directly with disenfranchised and at risk women in coffee growing regions in Ethiopia, building upon their successful GGRF Athletic Scholarship Program, increasing community impact.  The JavaJog grant funds will support 55 women, providing financial security for their 275+ family members.  The funds will directly impact roughly 350 community members.

The JavaJog Organizing Committee is looking forward to getting the funds on the ground so that our efforts can make a difference in so many women’s lives.  Thanks to the many JavaJoggers and their supporters who have made this possible.

Plans are underway for the 4th Annual Race to take place in Atlanta in April 2016.
To learn more about the cause, visit JavaJog for a Cause. For more information about the race, or sponsorship opportunities, please email javajog@gmail.com

JavaJog is pleased to announce the members of the 2015 Grant Review Committee!  All three members continue their service from 2014.

The Committee is convened by the JavaJog Advisory Council to ensure a transparent and credible grants selection process and is  made up of independent external experts who review proposals and make recommendations to the Advisory Committee on the programs to be funded. This year’s committee is made up of three members, with background in the coffee industry, development arena, and individuals with direct experience in East African coffee and development programs.

Members

Charlene Lewey, President-Lodestar Consulting, Board Chair Food4 Farmers: Charlene recently formed Lodestar Consulting which is focused on financial management, sales and broker management, revenue optimization, trade promotion effectiveness, pricing strategies and development of operational processes to support efficient and effective selling.   This was after a 16 year career at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (now Keurig Green Mountain) where she was Sr. Director of Order to Cash processes. She has also served as Treasurer on the board of directors for the International Women’s Coffee Alliance and is currently Chairman of the Board of Food4Farmers. These organizations are both focused on increasing economic opportunity for coffee growers to enable them to achieve sustainable livelihoods.

Nate Schaffran, Senior Vice President of Lending, Root Capital: Nate oversees Root Capital’s lending operations in Latin America and Africa. He previously served as Root Capital’s Vice President for Africa from 2007-2012, launching our operations on the continent, opening regional offices, and building a $20M portfolio. Nate has previously worked in value chain sustainability at Cooperative Juan Francisco Paz Silva in Nicaragua, and at Fair Trade USA. He holds an MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and BAs in Economics and Political Science from Swarthmore College.

George Watene, Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, 4C Association: George is responsible for managing and strengthening the M&E function in the 4C Association. This includes overall development and management of the M&E program, defining intended change, organizational learning from the program, reporting and stakeholder liaison. He is also the contact point for issues and questions relating to the program. Prior to joining 4C Association George was the Regional Certification Manager at Technoserve’s East Africa Coffee Initiative and before that he served as the acting General Manager of Africert Limited. George holds an MSC in Environment and Resource Management from the Institute of Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universitiet, Amsterdam, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi.

We are grateful to these individuals for their service and support of JavaJog!

GRANT APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH JUNE 15, 2015