ABOUT US
Slow Money SLO connects our community with local food entrepreneurs through free, open to the public gatherings, and ticketed events. Our goal is to raise awareness of the value and importance of local food consumption, as well as provide networking opportunities for entrepreneurs that will support the growth of the SLO County and Central Coast regional food system.
Since 2012, more than twenty-five businesses have received business advising, coaching, and promotion, and local community loans direct to the owner have been facilitated, totaling more than $1.4 million at no fee to either lender or borrower.
OUR VISION
A community in which food and farm products, grown, raised, caught or produced locally help to build a thriving local economy, vibrant soil, healthy population and a quality food system.
LOCAL TEAM
Slow Money SLO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity with an executive director, staff, board of directors, and a team of dedicated volunteers. Everyone involved brings a unique skill set and passion to our mission and goals.
CONTACT US
Send us your questions and comments! We welcome feedback from the community.
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A BRIEF HISTORY
Slow Money is an International movement with non-profit headquarters in Boulder, Colorado and roughly 15 independent chapters across the United States. Slow Money SLO is the local network of the international organization. Slow Money provides a meaningful alternative to our current financial system that has run amok – trillions of dollars a day flowing through capital markets in securities that no one fully understands, contributing to the systemic problems of our time. Our nonprofit believes in providing space for our community to invest as if "food, farming, and fertility mattered" - Woody Tasch, Slow Money.
In Spring 2012 founding members of our local chapter attended a CAFES (Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences) event held at Hearst Ranch where Woody Tasch presented on the idea of Slow Money. Having already desired to support local, small food and farm enterprises Slow Money SLO leaders got the inspiration needed to start the local chapter on that momentous day.
Slow Money SLO achieved 501c3 nonprofit status in 2012 and works to connect local, small food and farm enterprises in need of support to individuals who are interested in providing financial and business development guidance. Typically, small enterprises are not eligible for traditional funding. Slow Money SLO helps these brave entrepreneurs bridge the wide gap between crowdfunding and bank loans. To date, our chapter has helped arrange $1.4M in local loans to small, food and farming businesses. A growing list of Slow Money SLO projects is found on the Lending page.
While still keeping up with local lending projects, in 2019 Slow Money SLO saw an opportunity to build further support and commerce for small local farmers through coordinating business with school districts. FARM SLO was launchrd in the Fall of that year to facilitate farmer communication, educational scholarships, and Farm to School opportunities. To date, local schools have spent $15k+ on locally grown fruits and vegetables.
For more information about the international movement and Slow Money principles, continue here.
GROWING SLOW MONEY
What is Slow Money? Watch this short illustration that summarizes the idea behind the Slow Money movement, and get inspired to start putting your money where your food is!