One hundred thousand dollars in local grants were awarded at the March 5, 2014 meeting of the Community
Foundation. These grants were made possible through the Community Foundation’s “Community
Endowment Fund.”
“The Community Endowment has been built by contributions that vary from a check for twenty-five dollars
to an estate gift valued at several hundred thousand dollars,” says Board President Jim Mayfield. “By giving to
the Community Endowment, our donors know their gifts will be used here in Mendocino County, doing
good, for the long term.”
Megan Barber Allende, the Community Foundation Director of Grants and Programs, notes that the
Community Endowment Fund has been built by donors with various interests, and all of these are reflected
in the grants. “We awarded grants for youth, to help the poor, for the arts, to preserve the natural beauty of
this place, and for many other areas of interest. We do it all through the big umbrella of the Endowment
Fund.”
The grants funded through the Community Endowment Fund are reviewed by regional volunteers, as well as
a Board Committee. Grants are made in all regions of the county, and fund grassroots as well as more
established non-profit organizations.
Countywide
Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County –$4,800
To develop and implement program management modules aligned with CRCMC’s Salesforce platform,
convert CRCMC’s website to a non-HTML platform, and train CRCMC staff to use and maintain both of
these systems.
Mendocino County Public Broadcasting –$5,000
For a new digital, remote-controllable console at the KZYX studio in Philo, ensuring continuous radio
service for all of Mendocino County.
Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association–$3,000
For marketing materials and outreach activities to Mendocino County elementary schools, home school
programs, and colleges to encourage participation in Mendocino Woodlands environmental education
program.
Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley Health Center–$4,000
To develop the track and install equipment for a Par Course by the Anderson Valley High School gym,
greatly enhancing available fitness resources and promoting health and fitness among students and
community members alike.
Anderson Valley Land Trust–$5,000
To conduct a series of educational workshops that will provide tools and strategies for farmers, ranchers,
forestland owners, local resource organizations, and professionals to preserve working rural lands in
Anderson Valley.
Laytonville/Leggett
Laytonville Unified School District–$5,000
To purchase supplies and additional instructional hours for the music teacher in order to expand, diversify
and sustain the art and music program at Laytonville Elementary School.
North Coast
Community Center of Mendocino–$4,000
To outfit the dance studio with folding mats and exercise equipment in order to enhance the Community
Center of Mendocino offerings of classes and activities for all ages, including Brain Gym, tumbling, Pilates,
and step aerobics.
Gloriana Musical Theatre–$2,000
To reconstruct and redesign approximately 20 pages of the Gloriana Musical Theatre website with video clips
and improved interfacing to support promotion of future productions, events, and educational programs.
Lighthouse Foursquare Church–$2,000
For a dishwasher and new countertop to enhance the meal program provided by Lighthouse Foursquare
Church to poor and homeless coast residents.
Mendocino Film Festival–$4,000
To retain a graphic arts consultant to create templates for annual print publications, assemble templates into a
user-friendly “cookbook”, prepare volunteers to use these new tools, and aid MFF in sharing approach with
other non-profits.
Pacific Textile Arts–$4,000
To assist with the installation of a translucent roof over a courtyard on the Pacific Textile Arts campus,
providing a protected space for outside classes, a raised bed garden of dye plants and a rain water collection
system.
Renewable Energy Development Institute–$4,000
To expand the existing Home Energy Link Program (HELP) to low income families on the Mendocino
Coast, providing access to a wide variety of free energy and money saving programs.
Round Valley
KYBU: Round Valley Community Radio–$3,500
To purchase remote broadcasting equipment for KYBU Round Valley Community Radio and provide
training for youth and adult community volunteers to broadcast live from local events and meetings.
Round Valley Indian Health Center/Family Resource Center–$1,000
To purchase computers to assist with the establishment of a Community Computer Center in the new Round
Valley Family Resource Center.
South Coast
ACORN Partners in Education–$2,500
To deliver three 4-6 week sessions of garden-based education programs to approximately 60 children from
local South Coast elementary schools, fostering an appreciation and understanding of our local environment
and food systems.
GED Program of Point Arena–$1,000
To purchase computers to better prepare students for the upcoming online GED testing requirement.
Point Arena High School–$5,000
To enhance the newly built track with the purchase of 80 hurdles, 8 starting blocks, sand for long jump, and
fencing for shot put allowing the PAHS track & field team to train for and host meets for their parents and
the broader community to enjoy.
South Coast Seniors–$3,300
To purchase and install an ice maker which will be used to maintain the freshness of food served during
senior congregate dining, fundraisers, and in the Meals-on-Wheels program, creating substantial
organizational savings over the long-term.
Ukiah Area
Alex Rorabaugh Center–$2,000
To hire a community liaison/program developer for the “Open ARC Night” pilot program, opening the Alex
Rorabaugh Center for use by neighborhood residents at no cost.
Ford Street Project, Inc.–$5,000
To implement NonProfit EASY to improve the website and develop communication and data management
tools to integrate donor and volunteer databases, improve the Food Bank data collection process and enable
workshop enrollment and on-line scheduling.
Mendocino County Youth Project–$5,000
To assist with rent and utilities for the 2bu Clothes Closet while MCYP integrates it into its program and
funding structures, maintaining the current program while simultaneously expanding its services.
Redwood Valley Outdoor Education Project–$4,000
To develop a business plan, expand fundraising activities, and engage new donors--immediate and long term-in order to sustain RVOEP's unique program and ensure that outdoor learning opportunities are available for
generations to come.
School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education (SPACE)–$2,500
To purchase a new computer and two mini-servers to improve SPACE's administrative capacity.
TLC Child & Family Services–$1,500
To prepare the ground for an outdoor play area for neglected and abused children at TLC's short-term
emergency shelter in Ukiah.
Ukiah Symphony Orchestra–$1,500
To purchase 42 music stands for use during Ukiah Symphony Orchestra rehearsals and concerts, enabling
more flexibility for concerts and fundraising events and eliminating the organization's current dependence on
Mendocino College.
Willits
Charter School Association of Willits–$3,000
To purchase a two-door commercial refrigerator for Willits Elementary Charter School, enhancing food
safety at the site.
Nuestra Alianza de Willits–$4,000
To assist with office rent and utilities during the organization's transition from Mendocino College to selfsufficiency, enabling it to develop a business plan and the Board leadership skills necessary to cover these
costs well into the future.
Willits Daily Bread–$3,400
To purchase a new commercial refrigerator in order to improve food safety and reduce energy costs.
Willits Community Theatre–$1,000
For the costs associated with initiating and recording a series of workshops designed to inspire interest in
theater from community members traditionally outside the scope of committed theater "regulars", thereby
expanding WCT's volunteer base.
Willits Kids Club–$4,000
For tree protection and staking for over 70 new trees in the Willits Kids Club Discovery Park and
Playground, providing children and adults with a safe place to play, learn, and grow.