The West Marin Fund completed its first round of grants, awarding support to 27 West Marin non-profits. The grants will help organizations increase their own capacity to fundraise, and include support for projects as diverse as website upgrades, consulting in grantwriting, database improvements and direct mail projects. We thank the generous donors whose gifts made these possible.
Here’s our announcement:
West Marin Fund Announces First Community Grants
Point Reyes Station—The West Marin Fund today announced the award of its first round of grants, totaling more than $54,000, to twenty-seven nonprofit organizations in West Marin. Grants ranged from $600 to $4,000. They support capacity-building to enhance nonprofit fundraising through improved websites, social media, donor management databases, training, and other creative projects.
“We are pleased to play a role in helping sustain these important and deserving West Marin organizations in our very first grant cycle,” said Executive Director Catherine Porter. “With these awards, we’re supporting nonprofits engaged in health, education, the environment, science, and the arts—the nonprofits that foster the quality of life we have here in West Marin. And that is the West Marin Fund’s goal—to strengthen our coastal communities by investing in the organizations that serve them.”
Prior to its first grant cycle, the Fund surveyed local nonprofit leaders and hosted workshops on information technology, social media, and board management. Its next grant cycle, which opens in April will focus on supporting organizations trying to increase youth participation—from internships and youth-oriented services to opportunities for young people to become community citizens and philanthropists. Further information will be posted in mid-March at westmarinfund.org.
The West Marin Fund is a community foundation organized to serve the people of the rural villages of West Marin. The Fund carries out its mission by providing new funding and other assistance to existing nonprofits, expanding charitable giving and volunteer activity from residents and visitors, and supporting innovative endeavors that benefit the community but are beyond the scope of existing nonprofit groups. “We raise money from the community to invest in the community” says Porter.
Complete List of Grantees
- Audubon Canyon Ranch
- Bolinas Children’s Center
- Bolinas-Stinson Youth Group
- Bolinas Community Center
- Bolinas Community Land Trust (BCLT)
- Claudia Chapline / Art at the Cheese Factory
- Community Land Trust of West Marin (CLAM)
- Coastal Marin Fund
- Commonweal New School
- Dance Palace
- Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC)
- Friends of Sam’s House
- Gallery Route One
- Inverness Association
- KWMR
- Marin Organic
- Papermill Creek Children’s Center
- Point Reyes Farmers’ Market
- Point Reyes National Seashore Assn. (PRNSA)
- Regenerative Design Institute
- Shoreline Acres Pre-School
- Slide Ranch
- Stinson Pre-School
- Stinson Beach Community Center
- Tomales Bay Watershed Council
- West Marin Commons
- West Marin Senior Services
The West Marin Fund serves the West Marin coastal area—from Muir Beach in the south to Dillon Beach in the north—and the contiguous ranch lands. The area includes the villages of Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Olema, Inverness, Point Reyes Station, Marshall, Nicasio, and Tomales. The Fund is a 501(c)(3) California public benefit nonprofit corporation. All donations to the West Marin Fund are fully tax-deductible.
The Fund’s next round of grants will be announced in April.
Convenings:
The Fund wrapped up 2012 with a Non-Profit gathering that offered two workshops and a chance for networking. Over 50 people showed up at the Dance Palace to learn about on-line networking tools (thanks to Brian van Weele who came over from Marin Community Foundation to share his enthusiasm and insight) and Board Management (thanks to consultant Carol Friedman whose years of experience garnered great reviews for this workshop as well) – and to enjoy libation and good company at the holidays.
We continually hear that these opportunities to convene and share learning are one of the most important services we provide. Our board members and advisors attend to listen carefully for the things our non-profits say they most need to thrive.
Upcoming requests include:
- Using easy smart-phone videos to add impact to your website.
- Working with volunteers and interns.
- Board Responsibilities tutorial for board members.
We’ll hold at least 3 convenings in the coming months, and welcome your ideas about useful training and enjoyable ways to gather our tribe.
Our Advisors:
The West Marin Fund’s Advisors Council meets at the end of March to get an overview of the Fund, to meet one another, and to offer insight in their areas of geographic, issue or professional expertise. We are fortunate to have eyes and ears throughout West Marin to deepen our understanding of what needs attention and what’s possible. Our advisors:
Gifts
The West Marin Fund has received a donor-advised grant to support the Tomales Bay Youth Center at West Marin School. We invite your support for this fund, or for other specific gifts that keep West Marin non-profits active and vital.
The Fund received a gift that included support for an office and part-time administrative help. We intend to use it to professionalize our basic operations, and to get our Grants Services and Donor Outreach programs finely tuned.
Donate
The West Marin Fund raises money from the community to invest in the community. We are grateful for the 15 generous donors who helped us move forward in 2012 and hope to double that number in 2013. Please reach us if support of a Community Foundation would meet your philanthropic interests.
If you live full-time or part-time in West Marin, consider investing in the non-profits that support our unincorporated villages with services you might take for granted elsewhere.
