Community Fund for Carmel Valley

Community Fund for Carmel Valley

Better Together – Helping Carmel Valley Thrive

The Community Fund for Carmel Valley (CFCV) helps protect and improve the quality of life for all residents.

Carmel Valley, California has always had a strong sense of community. Neighbors tend to treat one another like family. Though Carmel Valley offers a wonderful quality of life for some, there are many unmet needs. We have created a way for caring neighbors to come together to grow a fund to thoughtfully address these local needs. This fund seeks to improve the lives of our fellow community members, both now and in the future. Grants support the greater Carmel Valley area from Highway One to Cahoon Grade.

Mission

To protect and improve the quality of life for all residents and support and foster the vibrancy of the Carmel Valley community.

“We are blessed to live in such a beautiful place in both its people and environment. Thanks to the generosity of many people and local organizations, the CFCV continues to be able to help our community where and when needed.” – Alondra Klemek, CFCV Advisory Council Chair

Impact – Over $300,000 Granted

2023: $24,500 Granted to 10 Nonprofits

  • Breast Cancer Assistance Group of the Monterey Peninsula for Breast Cancer Assistance Grant Program: Carmel Valley
  • Cachagua Fire Protection District for Community Medical Education and Training
  • Carmel Valley Art Association for Free children’s art workshops
  • Carmel Valley Community Youth Center for Water Safety Instruction
  • Coastal Kids Home Care for Pediatric home health and palliative care in Carmel Valley
  • Friends of Cachagua Children’s Center for Extracurricular Activities
  • Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula, Inc. for Carmel Valley home delivered meals
  • Monterey Bay Power Over Parkinson’s for Operating support to assist Carmel Valley area residents
  • The Regents of the University of California for Science Education for Youth in Cachagua, Hastings Reserve
  • Tularcitos Parent Teacher Organization for Swim instruction for grades 3-5

Past Grants

2022: $22,500 Granted to 8 Nonprofits

  • Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County for a breast cancer support program
  • Cachagua Fire Protection District for wildland fire hose clamps
  • Carmel Valley Angel Project for a holiday gift drive for families and seniors 
  • Carmel Valley Community Youth Center for water safety instruction 
  • Friends of Cachagua Children’s Center for Cachagua summer camp 2023 
  • Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula for a home delivered meals program in Carmel Valley 
  • The Regents of the University of California for Hastings Natural History Reservation: science education for youth program in Cachagua 
  • Santa Lucia Conservancy for a Carmel River ecology education program

2021: $29,242 Granted to 10 Nonprofits

  • Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County for special needs assistance
  • Cachagua Fire Protection District for safety gear for responding volunteers
  • Carmel Valley Angel Project for food and gifts for families
  • Carmel Valley Art Association for relocation and website development
  • Carmel Valley Community Youth Center for water safety instruction
  • Friends of Cachagua Children’s Center for Cachagua summer camp for K-8
  • The Jamesburg School, for critical maintenance for community-building and educational programming
  • Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula for home delivered meals program
  • MEarth for Camp Scholarships for Carmel Valley Youth
  • UC Berkeley – Hastings Reserve for Environmental Education in Cachagua: People of Color Engaging in Nature

2020: $188,000 Granted for Disaster Relief and Recovery

Part of the mission of the Community Fund for Carmel Valley is to enable rapid response for disaster relief for Carmel Valley residents. In response to the Carmel Fire in 2020, the Community Fund for Carmel Valley deployed $188,000 in grants to nonprofits providing direct financial assistance to affected residents, most of whom lost their homes.

To support Carmel Valley and Cachagua residents affected by current and future disasters donate online, or see below for information on mailing a check.

Grant Information

Grantmaking Priorities

Grantmaking Priorities

  • Build community, improve infrastructure and meet local needs
  • Expand youth programming and services
  • Support educational, cultural and historical programs
  • Support nonprofits serving the greater Carmel Valley area
  • Enable rapid response to community crisis, emergency needs, and disaster relief
  • Build funds to meet future needs

Click the link for grant eligibility and guidelines. Please contact Joel Hernandez Laguna at 831.754.5880 with any questions.

Learn more

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

In 2020 the Community Fund for Carmel Valley was created to serve residents, businesses and organizations, all of whom have an opportunity to contribute to the greater good of others. The fund is governed by a local advisory council consisting of longstanding community members. Their role is to provide oversight, raise funds, define grantmaking priorities and award grants. The fund is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, which provides administrative, investment and grantmaking expertise.

Advisory Council

Alondra Klemek (Chair)
Caton Avilla
Nick Craft
Alan Crockett
Teresa Goldberg
Joseph Hertlein
Jessica Kent
Tammi Lyon
Peter Meckel
Jake Odello
Anne-Marie Rosen
Nicole Saulnier
Loren Steck

Join Us!

Whether you and your family are new to Carmel Valley or have been residents for months or decades, you can give in a way that is meaningful today and will also have an impact for future generations.

Considering the effects of COVID-19 on the valley, this fund has the flexibility to determine immediate needs and make grants to assist the community’s vulnerable populations.

  • Half of your gift will go to the endowment to become a permanent resource for Carmel Valley and Cachagua and half will be available to make local grants in the first years of the Community Fund for Carmel Valley.

How to Give

  • Donate directly and securely online

Donate to the Community Fund for Carmel Valley

Donate to the CFCV Disaster Relief Fund

  • Send checks made payable to “Community Foundation for Monterey County”
    with “Community Fund for Carmel Valley” or “Carmel Valley Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo line
    Mail to: 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940
  • Make a gift of stock or other assets. Contact Christine Dawson, CFMC Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Services at 831.375.9712 x126 to learn more.

Donations to the Community Fund for Carmel Valley and CFCV Disaster Relief Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) are tax deductible. The CFMC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Tax ID #94-1615897.

Feature photo: Tom O’Neal