Siembra Latinos Fund
The Siembra Latinos Fund (SLF) was created to improve the quality of life for Latino residents of Monterey County
What is the Siembra Latinos Fund?
The Siembra Latinos Fund was created by a group of local Latino leaders to inspire giving by and for Latinos and build on a culture of philanthropy. “Siembra” means “to sow” and the fund seeks to grow opportunity for the Latino Community in Monterey County.
Mission
To inspire philanthropy and giving by Latinos for Latinos in Monterey County
Vision
Healthy, safe and engaged Latino communities
The 7th Annual Siembra Latinos Celebration – September 26, 2024
The 2024 Siembra Latinos Celebration held at the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside, was truly a special evening celebrating family, philanthropy and the Latino community in Monterey County. The event included the presentation of the 2024 Alfred Diaz-Infante Award to Dr. Juan P. Magaña, Founder, Minorities in Medicine and Hospitalist, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP). This award was created by the Siembra Latinos Fund to honor the legacy of Alfred Diaz-Infante by recognizing those who work to uplift the local Latino community. Read more here.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, including the evening’s emcee, Veronica Macias, grant recipients from MILPA and Building Healthy Communities, Dr. Magaña and the Siembra Latinos Fund Advisory Council members.
Your generous giving supports tackling academic, health and economic disparities through impactful grantmaking to nonprofits, to improve the quality of life for local Latino residents. We are happy to report that your support helped raise over $30,000 for the Siembra Latinos Fund. Thank you for a successful event!
We are proud of the accomplishments of the Siembra Latinos Fund and look forward to gathering next year to celebrate more grantees, dedicated community leaders and the generous donors and sponsors who make this possible.
2024 Sponsors
Thank you to our event sponsors! Your support grows programs that improve the lives of Latinos in our communities.
Thank you to Juan Sánchez and Palenke Arts for their mural to be on display and the ND Club of Monterey Bay for the lovely plants on loan for the evening.
The 2023 Celebration
Dr. Vela (center) and family with Elvira Diaz-Infante and family
The Annual Siembra Latinos Celebration on September 28, 2023 brought more than 200 guests to raise funds for education, mental health and economic development for local Latinos. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Alfred Diaz-Infante Award to Dr. Ernesto Vela, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Monterey County Office of Education.
2023 Sponsors
Thank you to our event sponsors!
See All Event Sponsors
WINE SPONSOR:
Why Siembra?
Reflections from Siembra Latinos Fund Advisory Council members:
Why Siembra? Because I want our Gente to understand their economic power and influence. – Lorraine Yglesias, SLF Advisory Council
Para mi es importante apoyar a Siembra Latinos Fund porque es una oportunidad para los latinos con sueños de superación. (For me it’s important to support Siembra Latinos Fund because it’s an opportunity for Latinos with dreams of self-improvement.) – Martha Zárate, SLF Advisory Council
You cannot hope to build a better world without helping those around you. I joined Siembra to do exactly that. To uplift voices and to ensure that through a collaborative effort, we can do our part in making our communities stronger than ever. – Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, SLF Advisory Council
Why Siembra? Because we need to guide people to the realization that giving will improve our community. – Lluvia Del Rio, SLF Advisory CouncilThe Siembra Latinos Fund allows me to pay it forward to honor the legacy of my family who came here seeking the American Dream. It is the foundation for our community to prosper, grow, and thrive. – Ida Lopez Chan, Chair, SLF Advisory Council
Siembra Latinos Fund Advisory Council
A local advisory council provides oversight, sets grantmaking priorities, and raises funds to grant to nonprofit organizations serving Monterey County Latinos. The advisory council members are: Ida Lopez Chan (Chair), Jose Arreola, Lluvia Del Rio, Louie (Luis) Diaz-Infante Jr., Alexis García-Arrazola, Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Lorraine Yglesias and Martha Zárate.
Impact – Over $130,000 Granted
Grant Details
- Improved educational opportunities for youth in Salinas, supported boxing classes and training for youth in King City, expanded arts and cultural experiences in Seaside and Salinas
- Invested in health and wellness in South County, backed leadership development for youth in Greenfield
- Funded Census outreach and education for Latinos throughout Monterey County
- Granted $15,000 to provide immediate financial relief for families in response to COVID-19
$21,500 Granted in 2023 for education, mental health and economic development
In 2023, the Siembra Latinos Fund granted $21,500 to five organizations serving Monterey County Latinos:
- ACTION Council of Monterey County for Mi Vida Mi Futuro College and Career Education Program
- Salinas Community Science Workshop for STEAM Gxrls group at El Sausal Middle School
- Sol Treasures for Social Media Empowerment for Youth and Teens, teaching self-regulation through art
- Ventures for Familias con Mas
- Wonder Wood Ranch for TAILS Training Program for Trauma-Impacted Latino Youth
Past Grants
Past Grants
2022: $20,000 Awarded
- Grantees: Digital NEST for Workforce Development Program; King City Boxing Club for positive alternatives for youth in King City; Salinas Community Science Workshop for STEM Girls program for El Sausal students; Santa Cruz Community Ventures for Familias con Mas; and YWCA Monterey County Youth Education and Advocacy.
As our youth master new knowledge and gain skills, they build the confidence to thrive in the workforce and lead their communities to a prosperous future.
– Jacob Martinez, Digital NEST Founder/CEO
2021: $21,000 Awarded
- Grantees: First Night Monterey for its Greenfield Cultural Arts Program; Salinas Community Science Workshop for Saturday School Science Workshop; Digital NEST to support youth members conducting research to address community needs; Santa Cruz Community Ventures for Economic Recovery of Rural Monterey County Latinos; King City Boxing Club to provide positive activities for youth in King City; and YWCA Monterey County for Youth Education and Advocacy.
2020: $15,000 to CFMC COVID-19 Relief Fund
- The $15,000 was awarded to Palenke Arts to support the immediate needs of Latino families, primarily those ineligible to receive federal assistance and unemployment.
2019: $5,000 to Census 2020 Fund
- Awarded 4 grants to organizations working for a fair and accurate Census count: California Rural Legal Assistance; Central Coast Center for Independent Living; Loaves, Fishes & Computers; and Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance.
2018: $20,000 Awarded
- Awarded grants to organizations including: Palenke Arts; YMCA; King City Boxing; Centro Binacional; Life is for Everyone; and Loaves, Fishes & Computers.
Be a Part of the Siembra Latinos Family
My parents instilled in us culture, family, values and philanthropy. – Judy Guzman Krueger, Siembra Latinos Fund Donor
Give Now
The goal of the fund is to make grants now while building an endowment for the future.
- Half of your gift will go to the endowment to become a permanent resource for Latinos in Monterey County and half will be available to make local grants.
- All potential grants will be reviewed by the SLF advisory council.
- Gifts in the name of loved ones, planned gifts and legacies established through your estate are additional ways to support the SLF.
- You can support the fund by clicking the button below.
Seeds of Change Campaign
The Seeds of Change campaign helps build the Siembra Latinos Fund endowment to create opportunities for Monterey County Latinos.
The SLF is a field of interest fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). The CFMC provides financial stewardship, administrative support and the services of a fully accredited community foundation that is held to rigorous National Standards.
