Neighborhood Grants Program Surpasses $1 Million

NEIGHBORHOOD GRANTS PROGRAM SURPASSES $1 MILLION – $50,000 Awarded in 2018 to 15 Volunteer-led Groups

The Neighborhood Grants Program of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has hit a $1 million grantmaking milestone. The Neighborhood Grants Program supports local residents who come together to improve their communities for themselves and their neighbors. This year, 15 grassroots groups were selected to receive financial support and additional assistance to organize ongoing activities in their respective communities. The total amount awarded was $50,000 with grants ranging from $1,500 to $4,000.

Since the program’s inception in 1997, $1,025,000 has been awarded to volunteer-led groups.

Friends of Marina Parks was one of the 15 organizations receiving NGP funding. An 8-year-old Marina girl, Lola, approached her mother, Amy, about wanting better parks for her community. As a result of her inspiration, volunteers began coordinated cleanups of nearby parks, painting, weeding, planting flowers and general maintenance improvements.

“Through the eyes of a young girl, our local community is realizing the benefits of putting dreams into action,” said Amy Tackett, who along with her daughter Lola founded Friends of Marina Parks.

The group received a $4,000 grant which it plans to use to bring public art to Marina through a mural project. “Our hope is to use the funds to partner with other local organizations to make our parks more beautiful and useful,” said Tackett.

“The Community Foundation for Monterey County has a long history of commitment to supporting resident-led groups that are invested in improving their communities. We’ve provided grants, training, and guidance to dozens of groups to help them make a positive impact,” said Laurel Lee-Alexander, CFMC Vice President of Grants and Programs.

2018 NEIGHBORHOOD GRANTS PROGRAM GRANT RECIPIENTS:

• Ballet Folklorico Tapatio (King City) $3,000 for Ballet Folklorico Tapatio
• Castroville Midnighters Car Club (Castroville) $2,500 for Midnighters Holiday Giveaway
• Friends of Marina Parks (Marina) $4,000 for a community volunteer organization to improve neighborhood
  parks in Marina
• Gonzales Youth Guardians (Gonzales) $1,500 for college field trips for Gonzales youth
• Kalpulli Oceloyotl (Castroville) $4,000 for uplifiting children and youth through Aztec Dance
• LULAC Youth Council #2087 (Salinas) $3,000 for farmworker youth leadership training, college preparedness
  and community service projects
• Monterey Peninsula NAACP Youth Council (Seaside) $4,000 for NAACP 24th Annual Youth Summit
• Noche Bohemia (Salinas) $2,500 to inspire and unite the community through the arts
• Padres de Niños Especiales del Sur del Condado (Soledad) $4,000 for monthly gathering meeting expenses
• Renacer En Alegria (King City) $4,000 for music therapy for senior citizens
• Salinas Youth LULAC #709 $3,000 for education and career exploration
• Team Villa Boxing (Salinas) $3,000 for offering Salinas youth free boxing and physical fitness
• Tu Puedes King City (King City) $4,000 for community dance classes and health workshops
• United Castroville Neighbors (Castroville) $4,000 for an annual community event for youth in Castroville
• Yaocuauhtli Danza Cultural (Salinas) $3,500 for Aztec dance instruction and free community performances

About the Community Foundation for Monterey County

The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has granted more than $267 million to nonprofits working towards healthy, safe, vibrant communities. In 2017 alone the CFMC awarded $16.7 million in grants to more than 641 nonprofit organizations. The mission of the CFMC is to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County. For more information visit www.cfmco.org, call 831.375.9712 or stay connected at www.facebook.com/cfmco. or www.twitter.com/cfmco.