West Marin Fund

Reporting

The Impact of Covid-19 on West Marin Nonprofits

In August 2020, the West Marin Fund conducted an online survey of fifty West Marin nonprofits. The following results were compiled and analyzed by a local nonprofit consulting firm, Mission Met. Key Findings Workforce The total workforce (employees and volunteers) of West Marin nonprofits dropped by 33% during the first half of 2020. Programs 96% of the survey respondents either cut at least one program, canceled at least one program or event, reconfigured a program or event, or closed a facility. Over 50% of the respondents reported a decrease in effectiveness and impact. Smallest Nonprofits West Marin’s smallest nonprofits are being disproportionately impacted by COVID compared to larger nonprofits. Biggest Challenges Moving forward, the two biggest challenges that these nonprofits are facing in response to COVID are adapting programs and raising funds. PPP Funding from the federal Paycheck Protection Program was acquired by 54% of the qualifying nonprofits, helping to defer COVID’s impact. Moving forward In an analysis of short answer questions, fundraising and programming are viewed as both the biggest challenge and opportunity. Download Summary Download Complete Report View all nonprofit survey results ➝

West Marin FundNovember 16, 2020

Community Grants Grants Grants Awarded

2020 Community Grants

West Marin Fund awarded $160,455 to 24 organizations for building a strong team to better serve community, particularly disadvantaged and underserved people who live, work and visit in West Marin. Funded activities include professional development and coaching for staff and board; a facilitated seven-part strategic planning process on zoom; increasing the diversity of the healthcare workforce through academic training and enrichment; pivoting to online educational programming for at-home learning that supports students and their families in the learning process; and internships for Latinx youth interested in the cultivation and use of food and plants as medicine, with curriculum programming in community resilience. With this 13th round, the fund has awarded more than $950,000 in community grants over the past eight years to nonprofit organizations serving West Marin – all made possible by generous gifts from our donors. Congratulations to all of our 2020 Community Grant Partners! 10,000 DegreesBlack Mountain CircleBolinas Community CenterBolinas Community Land TrustBolinas MuseumBolinas Stinson Young Stewards of the LandEnvironmental Action Committee of West MarinGallery Route OneGreater Farallones AssociationHalleck Creek RanchInverness Garden Club of West MarinNatura Institute for Ecology and MedicinePapermill Creek Children's CornerParent Services ProjectPoint Reyes National Seashore AssociationRiver Otter Ecology ProjectSan Geronimo Valley Community CenterSlide RanchSound OrchardThe…

West Marin FundJuly 2, 2020

Statements

West Marin Nonprofits Equity Statement

We, the undersigned nonprofit organizations of West Marin, add our voices to the protests against the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Maurice Gordon and countless others at the hands of law enforcement and vigilantes. We acknowledge the systemic racism at play in our country and county, and commit to facilitate change and foster the inclusivity that this moment in history demands. We recognize that this is the work we must do to truly live out our values of equity and inclusion. Together we agree to: Carry out our own internal work within our respective organizations to address bias and racism, while advancing equity, diversity and inclusion; Share our learning with each other for more effective action; and Collaborate as West Marin nonprofits to work with our communities in confronting systemic racism. We draw our inspiration from courageous leaders who over the centuries have challenged exploitation, racism and violence. Declaración De Las Organizaciones Sin Fines De Lucro De West Marin Sobre La Equidad Nosotros, las organizaciones abajo firmantes sin fines de lucro de West Marin, agrega nuestras voces a las protestas contra el asesinato de George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Maurice Gordon…

West Marin FundJune 30, 2020

Statements

Our Commitment to Racial Justice

West Marin Fund’s commitment to a just and thriving West Marin means we stand against the racism that has oppressed Black lives for centuries. We grieve the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless Black lives that have been taken due to police violence and unjust incarceration. We are committed to ending white silence and helping right the wrongs imposed by systemic racism. At this pivotal time, we believe Black leaders play a critical role in enabling long-lasting change for the benefit of all. To demonstrate our solidarity and appreciation, we are making grants to the following Black-led organizations: National Movement for Black Lives State California Black Women’s Health Project Local Hunters Point Family Moms 4 Housing Outdoor Afro Zaccho Dance Theatre For a directory of Black-led organizations in the Bay Area visit ebcf.org To learn about how white people can show up for racial justice in the Bay Area visit surjbayarea.org We are grateful to community members who advised, shared information, and contributed funds. El Compromiso de West Marin Fund con la Justicia Racial El compromiso de West Marin Fund con un West Marin justo y próspero significa que nos alcemos contra el racismo que…

West Marin FundJune 10, 2020

Women & Girls’ Empowerment

The Ongoing Struggle for Rights & Recognition

By SARAH HOBSON and MARCIA BARINAGAOriginally published by The Point Reyes Light A new study released by the United Nations on gender social norms to mark International Women’s Day reveals that, despite decades of progress in closing the equality gap between men and women, close to 90 percent of men and women globally hold some sort of bias against women, providing new clues to the invisible barriers women face in achieving equality. Across the globe, women activists celebrated this day with demonstrations for the recognition of women’s rights. The day after, tens of thousands of women across Mexico went on strike to protest the rapid rise of femicide in their country. Here in West Marin, the wish for equity and shifts in leadership is also growing. When West Marin Fund launched its women and girls’ empowerment program in late 2018, we faced some skepticism. Was there really a need for such a program in West Marin and the progressive Bay Area? Weren’t most of the nonprofit leaders already female? Wouldn’t such a program open up differences in a community that has already suffered deeply from divisiveness? Now, 18 months along and with grant reports in, we can safely say that we’re…

West Marin FundMarch 11, 2020

Women & Girls’ Empowerment

Honoring International Women’s Day

We want to share with you the achievements of women and girls in West Marin who, with our grant funding, created personal and professional growth for many. We are delighted to highlight their stories and to thank everyone who helped make these grants such a success.

West Marin FundMarch 8, 2020

Community Grants

Organizational Effectiveness

Last year when West Marin Fund asked local non-profits what tools they needed to improve their effectiveness, the responses flowed in: a new web site, an updated computer system, a new app. These were simple, well-defined requests, examples where a few thousand dollars could make a qualitative difference in how these organizations reach and serve their community, raise money and utilize precious staff time.

West Marin FundDecember 2, 2019

Reporting

Highlights FY 18-19

Photo © BlairGoodwin.com Our Plans for 2020 With your support, we plan to accomplish the following: Award $700,000 in grants, to include: $175,000 in community grants to local nonprofits to advance rural livelihoods in West Marin $175,000 through our donor advised funds to help bridge the educational achievement gap and support youth in West Marin $100,000 to support early childhood equity for 0-5 year olds in West Marin $50,000 to support women & girls’ empowerment $10,000 for students to award to local nonprofits through our Giving Through Youth program Strengthen local nonprofits to enhance the long-term wellbeing and quality of life for all in coastal West Marin by offering free workshops and services, in particular: A three-day training over four weeks for nonprofit leaders and board members Help with HR matters, such as changes in employment law, staff recruitment and retention, and when to use consultants Training in financial management and fundraising Download Highlights

West Marin FundDecember 2, 2019

Community Voices Early Childhood Equity Women & Girls’ Empowerment

Martha y Isabel

A rural ranch family is a nest of early birds. They rise with the sun, preparing their families for the day in a flurry of activity, setting a blistering pace.

West Marin FundSeptember 4, 2019

Community Voices Early Childhood Equity

Corey Goodman & Marcia Barinaga

Devoted community members of West Marin and passionately committed to seeing children in West Marin thrive, Corey and Marcia were the first to invest in West Marin Fund’s early childhood equity initiative.

West Marin FundSeptember 3, 2019