SCA and CQI Announce New Grant to Support Coffee Communities
During a significant moment at the Specialty Coffee Expo 2025 in Houston, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) announced a new grant agreement that will provide vital funding for development initiatives in coffee-producing regions around the world.
The announcement was made today at CQI’s 25th Annual Luncheon, an event that gathered leading figures in the specialty coffee community to celebrate CQI’s ongoing impact. Under the newly signed agreement, the SCA will contribute a percentage of its annual education revenues directly to CQI’s Development Fund, bolstering CQI’s mission to improve coffee quality and enhance the livelihoods of coffee producers globally.
Strengthening Global Coffee Communities
Speaking about the agreement, Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association, emphasized the significance of the collaboration:
“The Specialty Coffee Association is honored to support the Coffee Quality Institute’s Development Fund and its vital role in advancing inclusive, sustainable development across the coffee sector. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to center producers, recognize the full value of coffee, and make coffee better for everyone across the value chain.”
The funding from the SCA will ensure ongoing support for CQI’s project work in coffee-producing countries, enabling the organization to continue offering critical training and capacity-building initiatives where they are most needed.
Michael Sheridan, CEO of the Coffee Quality Institute, highlighted the strategic importance of this new support:
“It is hard to overestimate the importance of this agreement for CQI and the people we serve. At a time when traditional sources of funding for development assistance are being eliminated, SCA is stepping into the vacuum and demonstrating real leadership. Its financial commitment to CQI will enable us to expand the scope of our work in the places where coffee is grown.”
Building on a Historic Partnership
This new funding agreement builds on the historic partnership announced on April 24, 2025, between the SCA and CQI. That broader collaboration will also involve the evolution of the Q Grader Program, with management responsibilities transitioning to the SCA. This transition is designed to further unify global coffee quality standards and expand access to professional development opportunities within the industry.
The Specialty Coffee Association’s investment in the Coffee Quality Institute’s Development Fund positions it as a leading force in supporting sustainable development across the specialty coffee sector. It ensures that the people who produce coffee — the farmers and processors at the heart of the value chain — receive the training, tools, and recognition necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing global market.
About the Coffee Quality Institute
For more than two decades, the Coffee Quality Institute has worked in over 30 coffee-growing countries, providing training programs, technical assistance, and quality improvement services funded by public and private donors. CQI’s mission is rooted in enhancing coffee quality while promoting equitable, sustainable development among the world’s coffee producers.
About the Specialty Coffee Association
The Specialty Coffee Association is a nonprofit membership organization that represents coffee professionals from around the world. The SCA is committed to building an inclusive, sustainable specialty coffee community and works to advance coffee knowledge, support producers, and enhance the specialty coffee experience globally.
