The West Marin Fund

TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE CULTURAL, HEALTH, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND CIVIC RESOURCES OF WEST MARIN, A CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY, THROUGH SUPPORT OF OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND TO PROVIDE PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP TO HELP CREATE AND PROMOTE EFFORTS AMONG CITIZENS TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

OVERVIEW IN FY 21-22, WEST MARIN FUND CONCENTRATED OUR PROGRAM SERVICES ADDRESSING THE ONGOING IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK AND VISIT IN WEST MARIN. WE CONTINUED OUR SUPPORT FOR FOOD BANKS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, INTERNET ACCESS FOR RURAL FAMILIES, SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, AND INCREASED ACCESS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES FACING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INSTABILITY. WE INCREASED OUR SUPPORT OF COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO ADVANCE EQUITABLE SOLUTIONS TO MAJOR CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION. WE CARRIED OUT A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS TO DEFINE A 10-YEAR VISION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION SUPPORTED BY 3-YEAR GOALS. DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE HIRED TWO NEW FULL-TIME STAFF AND COMPLETED OUR THIRD AUDIT WITH A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. WE ALSO CELEBRATED OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY.PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSGRANTMAKING: PARTNERING WITH DONORS, NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE AWARDED MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN GRANTS, SUPPORTING QUALITY PRE-SCHOOL FOR ALL (WITH A FOCUS ON FAMILIES IN LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INSTABILITY); NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE AND EVALUATE THEIR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY; REGION-WIDE YOUTH PROGRAMS; AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE IN WEST MARIN.STRENGTHENING WEST MARIN NONPROFITS: WE REGULARLY CONVENED THE NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GROUP AND PROVIDED THEM WITH INFORMATION, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SO THEY COULD EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES. WE ALSO ORGANIZED WELL-ATTENDED FREE ONLINE WEBINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR THE LOCAL NONPROFIT COMMUNITY.REGIONAL COLLABORATION: THROUGH FUNDING, CONVENING, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, WE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE WEST MARIN COALITION FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE, THE COMMITTEE FOR HOUSING FOR AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN WEST MARIN, AND THE ANNUAL WEST MARIN NONPROFIT SURVEY, THE RESULTS OF WHICH WERE PRESENTED TO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR AND FUNDERS, INCLUDING THE COUNTY OF MARIN AND MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. WE PRODUCED A SIX-MINUTE VIDEO CALLED WEST MARIN TOGETHER WHICH REACHED MORE THAN 350 DONORS TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF COLLABORATION.STRATEGIC PLANNING: WEST MARIN FUND BEGAN A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS IN FY 2021-22 TO ENVISION ITS NEXT DECADE AND PRODUCE A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN. NEARLY 200 PEOPLE WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROCESS. ULTIMATELY, OVER 100 STAKEHOLDERS TOOK PART IN NINE FOCUS GROUPS, INCLUDING NONPROFIT LEADERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, TRIBAL LEADERS, FARMERS, FOUNDATION, COUNTY AND PARK STAFF, YOUTH, AND WEST MARIN FUND ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS. 21 DONORS WERE ALSO INDIVIDUALLY INTERVIEWED.