|
|
 |
|
|
In January, a devastating storm causes floods and widespread damage. Community leaders coordinate emergency response efforts, setting the stage for the creation of the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.
“There were a lot of people who planned the Foundation and gave a great deal of themselves—whether it was their time or money. We met every week for many months to make decisions and establish the Foundation.”
$35,000 in grants awarded to agencies throughout Santa Cruz County. These gifts were made possible by a grant from the Cowell Foundation, designed to position the Community Foundation as a grantmaker in the area.
The Roy and Francis Rydell Visual Arts Fund is established as a donor advised endowed fund, paving the way for donors to become more involved in grantmaking.
A matching grant from the Hewlett Foundation spur donations and the first endowment goal is achieved. Foundation donors build over $3 million in permanent funds to support the community. In addition, 65 grants are made to organizations throughout the county.
Within two months of a major 6.9 earthquake, more than $1 million in contributions pour in for relief efforts throughout the county. The Foundation is designated the official local agency to accept donations from across the country. The Foundation’s Board and staff meet weekly with United Way delegates to review requests and make emergency assistance grants.
The Foundation is selected as one of the first community foundations in the country to launch a grantmaking program intended to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Shortly thereafter, an endowed fund is established to address LGBT issues in perpetuity.
The Foundation creates the Management Assistance Project (MAP), with support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, through a five-year initiative to provide workshops, technical assistance, and a resource library to help nonprofits build their management and governance practices.
A bequest from Robert and Florence Slinger is used to establish a donor advised fund. Thirty grants are made from the fund in the first year.
The Foundation's assets under management surpass $12 million and over $800,000 is distributed in grants to the community.
The Planned Giving Center is established through a partnership with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. People who want to help local nonprofits through their estate plans are able to get personalized information from planned giving professionals about a range of charitable options.
A total of $1,129,133 is distributed through grants in seven areas of interest.
Thanks in part to generous bequests from Roy and Francis Rydell and Frank and Zoe Ann Orr, the Foundation’s assets under management (including endowed and nonendowed funds) reach $25,348,875.
The Foundation co-hosts more than 100 community leaders at the Summit on the Uninsured, a conference to explore local options for increased health care for all county residents, in particular local children ages 0-19.
The Foundation awards nearly $220,000 to arts and cultural organizations struggling with budget cuts. Thanks to the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and individual donors, the Foundation was able to sustain its commitment to the arts.
The Foundation creates the Community Advisors Network (CAN), by inviting local attorneys, accountants, financial and real estate advisors, and other professionals together to learn about community needs and participate in grantmaking through their pooled resources of funds. In the first year, $40,000 is awarded to local nonprofit agencies.
The Foundation joins with over 20 local partners to launch Healthy Kids, a project to ensure access to healthcare for all children in Santa Cruz County. Financial support is pledged by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency and the First 5 Commission. The project receives an additional important boost when the Foundation is awarded a $400,000 grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
The Foundation publicly announces the launch of the fundraising campaign to support programs for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities in Santa Cruz County. So far, over $500,000 has been raised towards the initial $1 million goal, which represents the largest endowment for LGBT issues proposed by any community foundation.
Following a bequest from Roy and Frances Rydell, arts advocates meet to help the Foundation launch the Rydell Visual Arts Fund, which made four individual artist awards in the amount of $20,000 each for 2006 and 2007.
Jack and Peggy Baskin gift $1 million to the Foundation and plans begin for constructing a permanent home in Aptos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
