Marin Community Foundation

04/30/2024

Our democracy needs you!
Rhea Suh, MCF's president and CEO, and Ralph Lewin, executive director of the Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund, encourage us all to step up support for democracy in today's Marin Independent Journal

Much has been written lately about “the state of our democracy in crisis.” We read the headlines and feel a rise in anxiety. But what does it actually mean? It means that the checks and balances th…

04/24/2024

ICYMI: This article by Kirsten Jones Neff in the April issue of Marin Magazine highlights several of our phenomenal community partners working to end homelessness in Marin.

We speak to MCF players about their collaborative effort to end homelessness in Marin.

04/22/2024

This Earth Day, we recognize and celebrate the work of our partners in advancing climate justice for historically marginalized communities across Marin County, CA. These grantee recipients are part of our first rounds of support from our Climate Justice Initiative:

Agricultural Institute of Marin
Canal Alliance
Commonweal
Community Land Trust Association of West Marin
Conservation Corps North Bay
Ecological Workforce Initiative
ExtraFood
Galilee Harbor Community Association
Innovative Health Solutions
Marin Center for Independent Living
Marin City Climate Resilience
Multicultural Center of Marin
North Marin Community Services

We must take action for our climate today if we are to protect our communities and ensure a future for us all.

03/26/2024

We're delighted to have MCF's president and CEO, Rhea Suh, profiled in this article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy. The article highlights how a new slate of community foundation leaders are reimagining and redefining the role of community foundations to shift policy, advocate on critical social and environmental issues, and collaborate for change.

Dozens of community foundations have new presidents. The group is turning well-capitalized philanthropies into players in progressive policy battles across the country.

03/15/2024

"How do we overcome this reality that we are in incredibly fractured times?"

This was the question that kicked off the lively discussion at our 2024 Democracy Fireside Chat, held in late February at the beautiful Marin Art and Gardens Center. The evening was filled with thought-provoking insights from our guest speakers and facilitators. And it was an opportunity for donors, staff, and community partners to connect and explore solutions together.

The video below shares some highlights from the event.

Feeling inspired? Consider donating to our Safeguard Democracy Fund at marincf.org/safeguarddemocracy to support the organizations leading this work in communities during such a critical election year.
https://youtu.be/OCF0vsv8UAs

LEARN ABOUT and DONATE TO the Safeguard Democracy Fund by March 31 at marincf.org/SafeguardDemocracy.----------------------On February 29, Marin Community Fo...

03/07/2024

YOU can play a part in protecting our democracy during this crucial election year by donating to MCF's new Safeguard Democracy Fund, a collaborative fund with a focus on voter turnout and structural support to protect democracy.

MCF donors, Ginnie and Pete Haas Jr., have generously pledged up to $250,000 in matching donations, doubling the impact of every dollar contributed to the fund. Visit marincf.org/safeguarddemocracy and make your contribution by March 31 to ensure that these resources will have maximum impact.

03/04/2024

Big thank you to Kirsten Jones Neff and the team at Marin Magazine for such a thoughtfully crafted article that puts a human face on the issue of homelessness in Marin. These stories illustrate the challenges that many of our neighbors face. They also show how essential it is for our community to come together to support families who are struggling and to support the work of community partners who form the backbone of social support.

Three stories of individuals who found a path back “inside” with the support of local organizations.

02/27/2024

We believe the time has come to put more power in the hands of communities! And our newly launched Community Power Initiative seeks to do just that.

Marin Community Foundation is inviting proposals from qualified organizations, collaboratives, and networks that are pursuing equity for Marin communities. The initiative offers up to $10 million in funding for fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) to support community-based organizations with general operating support grants for one to three years.

To learn more about this opportunity and apply, visit marincf.org/CommunityPowerRFP.

02/23/2024

Calling all organizations, collaboratives, agencies, and local jurisdictions supporting climate justice efforts in Marin!

Marin Community Foundation has launched its latest call for proposals for its Climate Justice Initiative. The RFP seeks proposals from qualified applicants who are serving communities in Marin County most impacted by social and economic inequity and who are working to:

1️⃣ Build local capacity to advance local, equitable climate resilience processes and projects.
2️⃣ Expand and amplify climate justice advocacy at the local, regional, state, and federal levels.
3️⃣ Catalyze climate action through partnerships, collaboratives, and coalitions.

To learn more and apply, visit marincf.org/climatejustice2024

02/12/2024

We’re still riding a joy-filled high from last Thursday's gathering as MCF staff and board members joined with several of our community partners and donors to celebrate the success of MCF's first end-of-year giving campaign — the Joy Fund.

Through the generosity of MCF donors, we were able to provide funding to support 22 long-time nonprofit partner organizations working tirelessly to provide important safety-net services to people all across Marin. The celebration was held at Groundfloor, a community gathering and co-working space in downtown San Rafael.

The Joy Fund truly illustrates the power of community coming together to build a better Marin for all.

01/31/2024

MCF is proud to stand alongside the Museum of the American Indian as we lend a hand in preparing for their Grand Re-Opening this April 2024.

The Museum, located in Miwok Park on unceded Coast Miwok ancestral lands in Novato, California, honors the Coast Miwok People and celebrates Indigenous Peoples from across the Americas. In the coming months, the Museum will offer a whole host of new exhibits, events, and innovative programs to welcome people into deeper learning and appreciation for the vast contributions of our Native American brothers and sisters.

Several MCF team members recently joined in to spruce up their space in preparation for the re-opening. It was a rewarding day!

This Grand Re-Opening is more than an event — it's a celebration of unity, diversity, and the power of community.

Check out the incredible work happening at the Museum of the American Indian in Marin and be part of this enriching journey. Learn more at https://www.marinindian.com

01/29/2024

A good perspective on the power and potential of community foundations to affect much-needed transformation — both locally AND globally, we might argue.

The nation’s 900 or so “community foundations” arguably deliver more tangible, meaningful results than their vastly larger counterparts.