engage directly in the organization’s work in ways that no other food security-oriented nonprofit allows. You see, Grow Further’s donor-members not only help fund the philanthropic organization’s grant-giving operations, but they also play an integral role in scrutinizing and even selecting projects that meet Grow Further’s strict criteria. Most critically, winning grant applicants must be working on innovations in small-scale agriculture that hold real potential to enhance global food security and nutrition by transforming the lives of developing world smallholder farmers. Smallholders cultivate fields of only about an acre or a couple hectares in size but account for the vast majority of farmers and grow at least a third of the world’s food according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Though Peter and colleagues cast a wide net, searching the talent pool from coast to coast with the help of a recruitment agency, his search ultimately landed him right back on Mercer Island and to Jennifer Dine, who lives barely five minutes away. Mercer Islanders know that their community is a special place. Peter knows this, too. After spending years teaching at a university in China, Peter chose the Seattle area as the place for him to return stateside to pursue his dream of founding a one-of-a-kind nonprofit devoted to supporting unique approaches to improving smallholder farmers’ lives. There are many islands to choose from, but only one Mercer Island; quiet and cozy yet centrally located in the largest metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest, a hub of innovative philanthropy. Peter moved to the island in 2015 after a brief stint in Redmond. “Lots of people live on an island, such as everyone in Indonesia and Japan,” he said. “But not many live on an island in a lake, except maybe in a vacation home, so it’s a special place.” What began as little more than a team composed of Peter, Grow Further’s founder and CEO, alongside a couple of consultants helping to guide his vision, Grow Further now operates with a core management team of a dozen professionals scattered across the United States. Ten others serve on the advisory committee, all of them either experts in agriculture or professionals who are simply passionate about food security. All management team members and advisors serve the organization remotely. Seattle is the legal headquarters of Grow Further, which was born at Impact Hub, a former coworking space oriented towards nonprofit startups in Pioneer Square. But in a way, Mercer Island is Grow Further’s true headquarters. It’s the only place where more than one Grow Further team member can be found; the organization’s CEO and its Membership Director both live and work here. On its main webpage, Grow Further boasts that its founder, staff, board, and members work together to “unleash the power of individuals to advance global food security.” Grow Further was established to fix a problem. “One of the greatest challenges facing humanity is improving agriculture to keep up with Exceptional Care. Amazing Smiles. Surgical Ortho • Airway Ortho Braces • Clear Aligners Free Consultation FactoriaOrtho.com 425.747.3300 Just 8 minutes away from Mercer Island, right next to T-Mobile HQ 4100 Factoria Blvd SE, Suite B Bellevue, WA 98006 Greet Mercer Island 15
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