Ventura County Community Foundation

10/13/2026

Leading From Within's Growing Edge Leaders Year-Two Celebration took place last month at Santa Barbara Middle School! This ceremony represented the culmination of a year-long journey for many of our region's leaders as they honed their abilities. GEL gives cohorts the opportunity to learn from other experts in the field, as well as connect and collaborate with each other to gain valuable insights.

Congratulations, and we are excited for this new cohort as they apply their strengthened expertise and continue on their leadership journeys!

10/11/2026

Happy International Day of the Girl! VCCF was so proud to join in a beautiful celebration hosted by Women's Economic Ventures in honor of this holiday and its sister holiday 'National Give to Women & Girls Day'! This day is aimed at increasing awareness and funding for women's and girl's organizations.

Thank you to WEV for hosting this wonderful luncheon, and to Jill Agonias and Sandra Iraheta for sharing their inspiring client journeys with WEV. And congratulations to Trailblazer Award recipient Kelly Mooney!

10/09/2026

NEW EPISODE!

Civil Dialogues visits with Amy Weaver, Direct Relief CEO and the Business Times CEO of the year, for a conversation about the nonprofit's origins and its obligations in an era of upheaval in government funding of humanitarian endeavors.

Enjoy this conversation about humanitarian aid across the world and here in our backyard.

Thank you to our sponsors: UCLA Health, Meissner, Limoneira, Ventura County Community Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation and Yardi.

Listen here:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mn8jGuHj5TiWGisXk2doY?si=87327c42308c4a77
Apple Music - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/civil-dialogues/id1743300015?i=1000793793387
PCBT Website - https://www.pacbiztimes.com/civil-dialogues-podcast/

10/08/2026

NEW EPISODE!

We sat down with Erica Groshen, former Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to discuss why accurate economic data belongs in everyone's hands — not just policymakers.

Tune in to hear Erica's take on how informed citizens, business owners, and community leaders can shape a stronger economic future.

Enjoy our conversation with Erica!

Thank you to our sponsors: UCLA Health, Meissner, Yardi, Limoneira, the Ventura County Community Foundation and the Santa Barbara Foundation.

Listen to Erica's episode here:
PCBT Website - https://www.pacbiztimes.com/civil-dialogues-podcast/
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DuSApOnmhqNh0PdMkIlq7?si=84598644ec1d42d6
Apple Music - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/civil-dialogues/id1743300015?i=1000788949788

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

The third annual National is here! To celebrate, we'd like to encourage you to support your favorite organizations through your Donor Advised Fund here at VCCF. And if you are interested in learning more about Donor Advised Funds, you can reach out to our Philanthropic Services team to get more info at vccf.org/my-vccf-fund/fund-contact!

10/07/2026

📣 Attention, students! VCCF's Scholarship Season opens Monday, October 19, and we have 400+ opportunities waiting for you! With over $2 million allocated for awards, now is your chance to reach your academic dreams.

Create your account on our student portal now so you don't miss a moment to submit your applications this year! Visit vccf.academicworks.com

10/06/2026

Cal Lutheran Center for Nonprofit Leadership just released its 2026 Nonprofit Sector Report, and VCCF is proud to sponsor this inaugural report! The launch event brought together organizations from across the county to discuss and review the findings of the report, offering insights into Ventura County's nonprofit sector, its workforce, philanthropic investment, and much more. The event also included a panel discussion featuring local nonprofit and government leaders, as well as words from VCCF President & CEO Vanessa Bechtel.

Read the full report at heyor.ca/gXDUok

Photo credit: Jessie Chirinos, '30

10/02/2026

As we begin Head Start Awareness month, we think back fondly on our September Isabella Project Steering Committee meeting, setting up the next chapter of the project! This time of shared reflection reinvigorated our partners and left us all ready to move forward stronger in the next phase of the Isabella Project! Thank you to Marina V for your beautiful musical performance, to all of our speakers, Co-Chairs, and to every Steering Committee member who joined us to make this such a special day.

Learn more at isabellaproject.org

09/30/2026

Earlier this month, we joined the community in celebrating the groundbreaking of Food Share of Ventura County's future home in Oxnard. Congratulations to Food Share and everyone who made this milestone possible! The new facility will strengthen its ability to address everyday hunger and respond when disaster strikes.