Spring brings our hills to the peak of their verdant period, schools are almost out, visitors are starting to stream to our landscapes… it’s coming on to summer in West Marin. Our non-profit organizations are busy with plans for summer camps, swim lessons, fundraisers in the fields and conversations about how to accommodate our tourist influx – along with their regular work for seniors, arts, the environment, youth, housing, and more
NEW GRANTS
The West Marin Fund made its spring round of grants in April, with grants to 28 organizations covering a full range of activities, among them: blood pressure cuffs at the Coastal Health Alliance, Waterdogs lessons for kids at West Marin Community Services, leadership training for our Latino community through Abriendo Caminos, camp scholarships at Commonweal’s Power of Hope camp and at the Bolinas-Stinson Summer Camp, promotional materials for the Town Hall in Tomales, and “Locals Night at the Seashore” with the Point Reyes National Seashore Association. This brings the total amount of grant funds we’ve given out over the past 3 years to more than $365,000 – a proud achievement for a new community foundation. It speaks to the support we garner from the community, with our focus on the unique needs of coastal Marin.
Nicasio 7th-8th grade philanthropists
Bolinas- Stinson 4th grade philanthropists
GIVING THROUGH YOUTH
The youth philanthropy project that kicked off last year continued this year in three coastal West Marin schools: Bolinas/Stinson, Nicasio, and West Marin School in Point Reyes Station. A classroom in each school received $2000, thanks to WMF donors Richard Kirschman, Doris Ober and Michael Kossman. The funds were for students to grant after researching local non-profits, deliberating on the merits and needs in our communities, and choosing award winners.
This program is gaining a lot of fans: the teachers weave in curriculum essentials; the students feel engaged and generous; the non-profits delight in the interviews and the grants; and the community at large is proud of these students’ civic engagement. We are training the next generation of board members and philanthropists! If you’d like to support this program for next year, please let us know.
“Your support gives us strength to continue our work! This session of Abriendo Caminos is going to be very productive. We will be working on group development and leadership models. We are seeing remarkable changes within the Latino Community – giving them more tools so they continue moving forward on their own paths.”
–Socorro Romo, West Marin Community Services
We couldn’t do our work without the imagination, insight and support of so many West Marin residents and second-home owners.
Board Service: Most of West Marin’s 60+ non-profit organizations are served by diverse boards of directors. We’ve offered 3 different trainings on Board Roles & Responsibilities to give directors and staff clear education on their duties. If you have interest in serving your community this way, please let us know. We’ll work to match you to an opportunity.
Summer in West Marin: This season is filled with community celebration. We welcome the Coastal Health Alliance opening of the new Dental Van. There’s June 4-5 Western Weekend in Point Reyes Station, many 4th of July events, farmers markets everywhere and the Tomales Founders Day parade September 4 – among many others. It’s easy to love West Marin.
