Santa Cruz County is varied and vital as a result of the many cultures and life experiences present within it. The area is endowed with extraordinary natural beauty that we must all work to preserve and protect. The Foundation is dedicated to involving all people in pursuing the common good.
The Foundation believes that to be strong, our community must be supported by volunteer action and effective philanthropy. This will assure that Santa Cruz County continues to be a desirable place for all people to live, work, and raise their families. In pursuing our goals and evaluating our efforts, the Foundation believes that:
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People of all ages need free and open access to information and education in order to be successful participants in a democratic society.
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With appropriate resources and opportunity, people have the interest, capacity, and obligation to define and meet their needs.
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Strong communities develop when people establish constructive relationships, treat one another with respect, and work together collaboratively to solve problems.
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Artistic expression should be encouraged and opportunities for enjoying a variety of cultural activities and art forms should be available to everyone.
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The benefits that our community has to offer should be fully available to everyone.
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All persons affected by decisions should have the opportunity to effectively participate in and contribute to the planning and decision making process.
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Our community's natural resources and our cultural heritage should be enhanced for the current generations and protected for future generations.
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Public and private institutions should serve the public interest and be held accountable for the quality and cost efficiency of their services.
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The community benefits from the efforts of individuals and institutions to take initiative and assume responsibility for challenging the status quo.
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