Staff, Board & Council

Samara Cummins – Associate Director of Development, Grants

1. What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?

I love that we work at the intersection of social justice and the environment. I think these are the two most pressing issues of our time, and our programs address them in tandem.

2. What do you love about working at Rising Sun?

Working with a supportive, collaborative and highly capable team of people who are all personally committed to our mission.

3. What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?

With 20 years of experience working in nonprofits, I’ve done a bit of everything, but my specialties include writing and communications, strategy, program development, program evaluation, and partnership development, with a side of policy, facilitation, and event planning, Prior to working here I spent 12 years working in the world of food systems for the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, where I developed programs to support local farmers, teach young people to grow their own food, empower the next generation of healthy eaters, and deepen people’s understanding of how food relates to equity, environment, and the economy, I also did a lot of grant writing, which brought me to this work at Rising Sun.

4. When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?

Gardening, cooking, hiking, biking, dancing, creating mosaics with stained glass, practicing Spanish as a volunteer with La Colectiva, and honing my newfound skills as a community mediator.

5. If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?

That everyone’s basic needs be met. This is a prerequisite for tackling our next challenges as a civilization — learning to respect one another, to create laws that truly serve the people, and to be good stewards of our planet.

6. What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?

“Work is love made visible.” 

– Kahlil Gibran