Stanislaus Community Foundation recently received two grants to provide funding for community-benefit organizations and programs that support residents in under-served communities in Stanislaus County.

The first grant, totaling $100,000, was awarded from the Resilience, Capacity Building, and Community Engagement Sub-Grants program – a partnership between the League of California Community Foundations and the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications. SCF identified five local organizations that are committed to supporting the region’s historically disenfranchised populations. Each of these organizations will receive funding to support their programs and services:

·         West Modesto Community Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on connecting communities through collaborative partnerships to address complex systems, bridge gaps, and eliminate racial inequities in Stanislaus County

·         City Ministry Network, a nonprofit that listens to and advocates for our most vulnerable communities, connecting community and sector leaders to work collaboratively, so that all families can thrive

·         United Community Foundation, an all-volunteer organization that provides the residents of rural Westley, Grayson, and Vernalis essential safety, wellness, leadership, and learning skills

·         Invest In Me, a nonprofit focused on youth self-empowerment, leadership, and civic engagement for those in the under-served community of Patterson

·         Stanislaus Homeless Advocacy and Resource Enterprise, an all-volunteer homeless outreach and services organization with a “whatever it takes” approach to serving unhoused individuals in Stanislaus County

The second grant, totaling $76,600, was awarded by NextEra Energy through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Social Impact Partnership Program. NextEra Energy has committed to investing towards educational and environmental justice nonprofit organizations and programs in Stanislaus County. Those programs and organizations include:

• Stanislaus Community Foundation programs such as Resident-Led Grantmaking, Next Gen on Board, and the Stanislaus Futures scholarship
• United Community Foundation, an organization that provides activities and learning experiences that help improve the quality of life for residents of Westley, Grayson, and Vernalis
• Patterson Unified School District’s Career Technical Education Pathways, a program that equips students with practical skills, industry knowledge, and work-related experience to prepare them for higher education and successful careers

“At Stanislaus Community Foundation, supporting the capacity of our local nonprofits is an integral part of our work,” said Marian Kaanon, President and CEO of Stanislaus Community Foundation. “This funding will allow these organizations to continue providing services and make a difference in the lives of those they serve.”