Community Foundation of Mendocino County

The Foundation awarded 403 grants to 221 different grantees during the year ended june 30, 2024. Nonprofit organizations in Mendocino County participated in two major competitive grant programs to support Community health, arts and culture, children and youth, the environment, disaster resiliency and preparedness, economic development, and animal welfare. In total, the Foundation awarded $2,024,114 in grant dollars in response to Community needs and donor intentions, with a focus on inclusivity and outreach to the indigenous Community and the organizations that serve them. The Foundation awarded $445,500 in scholarships to 100 recipients, most of whom are from historically underrepresented groups. Over 50% are first-generation scholarship students receiving multiyear scholarship awards, a practice linked to increased student success. This year, the Foundation offered a monthly technical assistance program to teach its nonprofit partners the fundamentals of nonprofit business and leadership. One hundred nonprofit professionals from 48 local organizations participated in the nine-month program, increasing their knowledge and ability to carry out their missions throughout Mendocino County. In addition, the Foundation partnered with a new collective-giving program (100 women strong) to promote philanthropy and encourage donors to learn more about the nonprofit Community. The program generated 500 individual contributions totaling almost $70,000 that were awarded to local nonprofits selected by program participants.