Our funding and partnering approach focuses on meeting short-term critical needs and addressing underlying system-wide challenges. In both cases The Marcus Foundation seeks partners and grantees, organizations and foundations, that are looking for opportunities to explore new ventures, and bringing creative thinking to their work. Specifically, we work with organizations committed to developing innovative approaches to sustainability and community food resources. Our values include:

• Change and Support: We value efforts that further systemic change and those that provide immediate responses to critical needs in our communities
• Communication and Collaboration: We believe in the effective and timely exchange of information and the usefulness of collaboration that is both efficient and creative
• Listening and Partnership: We value the sharing of ideas, resources and initiatives, and we seek partnerships that leverage the assets and skills of all participants