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West Marin Fund

The Ongoing Struggle for Rights & Recognition 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 Fund
March 11, 2020
Organizational Effectiveness 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 Fund
December 2, 2019
Highlights FY 18-19 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 Fund
December 2, 2019
Community Grants 2019 Community GrantsGrants Awarded

Community Grants 2019

West Marin Fund awarded $145,946 to 31 organizations and groups that seek to level the playing field for disadvantaged and underserved people who live, work and visit in West Marin. Funded activities include community outreach for affordable housing; transportation for isolated seniors to participate in community events; scholarship assistance for pre-school, summer reading, music and science programs; bi-lingual materials for education and mediation services; and inclusive arts for youth. With this 12th round, the Fund has awarded more than $800,000 in Community Grants over the past seven years to nonprofit organizations serving West Marin – all made possible by generous gifts from our donors. Congratulations to all of our 2019 Community Grant Partners! 10,000 DegreesBolinas Community CenterBolinas MuseumBolinas Stinson Summer CampBolinas Stinson Young Stewards of the LandBring Me A Book FoundationCenter for Creative Community at CommonwealCoastal Health AllianceCommunity Action MarinCommunity Land Trust Association of West MarinEnvironmental Action Committee of West MarinGallery Route OneKWMRNatura Institute for Ecology and Medicine at Commonweal GardenNicasio School FoundationParent Services ProjectPoint Reyes National Seashore AssociationPt Reyes Farmers MarketSan Geronimo Valley Community CenterShoreline Acres PreschoolSlide RanchSound OrchardThe Bolinas Community Land TrustThe River Otter Ecology ProjectTomales Bay Youth CenterTurtle Island Restoration NetworkWest Marin and Inverness SchoolsWest Marin CommonsWest…
West Marin Fund
July 22, 2019
Community Grants 2018 Community GrantsGrants Awarded

Community Grants 2018

West Marin Fund awarded $100,000 to 24 nonprofits seeking to improve organizational effectiveness in order to more effectively address the opportunities and challenges facing the coastal West Marin region.  With this 11th round, the Fund has awarded more than $665,000 in Community Grants over the past 6 years to nonprofit organizations serving West Marin – all made possible by generous gifts from our donors. The 2018 Community Grants funded a variety of approaches to supporting community health and vitality; encouraging land, water, and wildlife stewardship; strengthening community arts and culture; advancing educational opportunities for all; and promoting equity. Congratulations to all of our 2018 Community Grant Partners! Audubon Canyon RanchBlack Mountain CircleBolinas Community CenterBolinas Community Land TrustBolinas MuseumBolinas Stinson Young Stewards of the LandCenter for Creative Community at CommonwealCoastal Health AllianceCommunity Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM)Gallery Route OneGreater Farallones AssociationKids Cooking for LifeKWMRNatura Institute for Ecology and Medicine at Commonweal GardenPapermill Creek Children's CornerParent Services ProjectSalmon Protection And Watershed Network/Turtle Island Restoration NetworkSan Geronimo Valley Community CenterSlide RanchSound OrchardThe Dance PalaceWest Marin Community ServicesWest Marin ReviewWest Marin Senior Services PLEASE NOTE: In consultation with a variety of stakeholders, West Marin Fund has changed the community grants cycle to once a…
West Marin Fund
July 22, 2019
Richard Kirschmann Memorial Tribute Tributes

Richard Kirschmann Memorial Tribute

December 27, 1932 - November 6, 2018 Richard and his wife, Doris Ober, were the founders and original funders of our Giving Through Youth program, which provides West Marin students the opportunity to experience the pleasure of philanthropy while learning about their communities and nonprofits. The Giving Through Youth program was introduced to West Marin schools by the Fund in 2015 to encourage young people to think about the process of giving to others and the work of local nonprofits. In the last four years, thanks to the support of Richard and Doris and the generosity of other community members, local school classes have selected 29 nonprofit organizations to receive $28,875 in 44 grants for a range of important community activities. All this was accomplished thanks to the dedicated efforts of hundreds of students and teachers in three schools in West Marin who diligently carried out research on local nonprofits. Richard and Doris often attended grant award ceremonies, thanking the students for their work and giving each student a Coastal Marin coin, another project of Richard’s. The thrill on students’ faces in receiving the coins was palpable, as was the pride they took in making their grant recommendations and knowing…
West Marin Fund
November 6, 2018

Doing More, Together — Our 2025 Year in Review

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January 2026 Grant & Learning Opportunities

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