The McConnell Foundation

05/21/2026

IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR WE THANK THE MCCONNELL FUND OF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NORTH STATE
The Frontier Senior Center is deeply grateful to The McConnell Fund of Community Foundation of the North State for their incredibly generous $50,000 grant to help fund the replacement of our aging roof. This support means far more than simply repairing a building — it helps ensure that our center can continue to serve seniors in our community for years to come. Every day, the Frontier Senior Center provides a welcoming place for friendship, meals, activities, education, and support, and this grant helps protect the heart of that mission.
As a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on donations, volunteers, and community support, receiving this grant is both humbling and inspiring. The kindness and investment shown by The McConnell Fund of Community Foundation of the North State reminds us that our senior community matters and that the services we provide truly make a difference. We are sincerely thankful for their partnership, generosity, and belief in the work we do. Because of their support, we can continue creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming place for the seniors who depend on us every day.

05/16/2026

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb

Thank you Viva Downtown for recognizing Sandi Thompson, Mike Moynihan, K2 Development, the Sandwichery, and the city of Redding's communications team for their dedication to downtown's vibrancy!

05/14/2026

05/07/2026

McConnell Foundation representatives Lee Salter, Jesica Rhone and Shannon Phillips attended the “Building Together” Council on Foundations Conference in Seattle, Washington May 4-7.

Jesica, the Foundation’s International Programs Director, Chup Thapa of Natural Resource Conflict Transformation Center-Nepal, Libby Hoffman of Catalyst for Peace, and Jessee Eaves of Humanity United, lead a workshop on “How Donors Can Support Community-Led Processes for Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice.” These colleagues work together on sustainable peacebuilding globally.

Learning and sharing with others in philanthropy opens our minds and hearts, builds skills, and inspires us to grow our impact.

NRCTC-Nepal । प्राकृतिक स्राेत द्वन्द्व रूपान्तरण केन्द्र, नेपाल

05/01/2026

05/01/2026

This month we’re celebrating a big milestone—25 years of service! 🎉

Please join us in congratulating Matt Ahlberg, our Project Coordinator, on this incredible anniversary.

Matt is someone you can always count on. His attention to detail, reliability, and strong work ethic have made a lasting impact on our organization over the years.

We are truly grateful for Matt’s dedication and the steady, behind-the-scenes role he plays in helping everything run smoothly.

Congratulations, Matt, and thank you for 25 years of outstanding service! 👏

04/29/2026

04/14/2026

McConnell Foundation representatives Eva Jimenez and Shannon Phillips attended the Topping Out Ceremony for Fairchild Medical Center in Yreka. This event marked a construction milestone where the highest structural beam was placed, noting completion of the building's structural framework. Topping Out celebrations often feature a tree &/or flag to bring good luck, honor workers, and to signal a shift from structural to interior work. Congratulations to Jonathon Andrus, Claire Anstead, and the MANY others who are making this project possible!

04/09/2026

Thank you, Onica Mello of North State Together, Shasta College, and NatureBridge for a wonderful week in Yosemite for North State students.

The McConnell Foundation handed over the reins of its long-standing Yosemite Program to NST in 2025. By connecting students to their natural surroundings and offering a real-world environmental education experience, the Program fosters a sense of stewardship and opens doors to future academic and career pathways in environmental sciences. NST has strong relationships in the five counties that the NatureBridge in Yosemite Program serves.

The Yosemite Program has been The McConnell Foundation’s longest-running program for more than 30 years. “The Foundation holds tightly to the belief that the experience in Yosemite makes a lifelong impact on students. My heart is full seeing NST embrace this Program’s wonder and importance,” shared Ana Bachman, retiring Program Coordinator for The McConnell Foundation.

Photos: Shasta College buses transport students to Yosemite; In Curry Village, L to R: Erik Johnson, Ana Bachman, Ashley Fuller, Onica Mello; Foundation representatives, L to R: Kelly Salter, Carol Germano, Dean Germano, Ana Bachman.

04/08/2026

New Driving Range Opening at Lake Redding Golf

Lake Redding Golf, owned by The McConnell Foundation, is partnering with Jason Munson, operator of Tierra Oaks Golf Club, to construct and operate a new driving range facility. In tandem with the Foundation’s mission of providing affordable recreational opportunities to the communities it serves, Munson will focus on programs that provide golf-related opportunities for youth, residents, and visitors of the region. The purpose of this project is to provide golfers with a place to improve their skills on a functioning driving range. Activating the property will also contribute to maintaining its natural beauty and complement adjacent City of Redding recreational amenities.

Construction of the new driving range pads will begin in mid-April. The public can expect the driving range to open in May.

According to Munson, “Inspiration to bring this idea to The McConnell Foundation is because of the easily accessible, center of Redding location, the ideal sun orientation for a driving range, and a passion for growing golf opportunities for youth. "

In meeting with a variety of golf community interests, Foundation representatives have learned that Redding has a shortage of driving range and golf-related practice options. The hope of this amenity is to support, not detract from golf courses in Redding. “We are pleased to open Lake Redding Golf up again, and to create a recreational amenity the public can enjoy. The Foundation’s goal remains to keep this property as a golf-related recreational asset for generations to come,” shared John Mancasola, CEO of The McConnell Foundation.