These spaces aren't just about scoring applications; they're a genuine community of people who care deeply about big questions, and about each other. 

Our journey began when SabaterLAB Foundation became a grantee. Grassroots Fund's support strengthened our Community Care Mini Clinics, expanded our outreach, and created meaningful opportunities for interns from the SabaterLAB Clinical Training and Service Internship Program (SabaterLAB CTSIP) to learn while serving alongside us. We subsequently received a second Grow Grant, further strengthening our work and connection with Grassroots Fund.

But our journey did not end with receiving support. In many ways, it was just beginning.

We first served as grant reviewers and were later invited to become Grantmaking Committee members. Dr. Ivelisse served on the Seed Grant Committee, while Dr. Julio served on the Grow Grant Committee. Talk about coming full circle!

Having experienced other grantmaking processes, what stood out was something beautifully simple: what Grassroots Fund says, it actually does. From transparency and thoughtful preparation to camaraderie, respectful conversations, and genuine sharing of decision-making power, we experienced its Guiding Practices firsthand.

We especially treasure the opportunity to participate in Grassroots Fund's first in-person training following the pandemic. It was an eye-opening and heartfelt experience that allowed us to connect personally with fellow committee members, coordinators, and organizers from different walks of life. The warmth, camaraderie, thoughtful exchanges, and genuine commitment to equitable participation made the experience especially meaningful. It was another beautiful example of Grassroots Fund putting its Guiding Practices into action, creating a space where relationships could grow, different perspectives were welcomed, and every voice had an opportunity to contribute.

What made our participation particularly meaningful was knowing that our lived experiences mattered. We were not simply speaking on behalf of communities we serve. We are part of those very communities. We share their experiences, understand many of their challenges, recognize their strengths, and carry their hopes alongside our own. Our perspectives were welcomed, and we could speak openly and confidently about realities too often overlooked in funding decisions. We were not simply given a seat at the table. We were welcomed, heard, respected, and entrusted to help make decisions that could open doors for our communities and others.

That experience continues to inspire us. We have since introduced other grassroots organizations to funding opportunities, shared Grassroots Fund's Guiding Practices, and provided grant application coaching to help others access support.

As Grassroots Fund celebrates 30 years, we celebrate the people, relationships, trust, and possibilities created when communities are truly included.

We began this journey hoping that our communities, ourselves included, could truly be seen and heard. We found ourselves helping create opportunities for others to experience that same sense of belonging, dignity, and possibility.

For us, that is the beauty of coming full circle, and we are truly humbled and grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute, learn, and be part of something so meaningful.

With heartfelt gratitude and congratulations on 30 years!

Drs. Julio and Ivelisse Sabater

SabaterLAB Foundation

Seacoast Climate Action Now Member