Community is something nearly everyone cherishes and wants more of: a deeper sense of place, commonality and connection, and a feeling of fellowship with others who share our attitudes, interests and goals. When we feel the spirit of community, there’s an overall uplift, a sense of increased safety and purpose, even inspiration. There is a discernible sense of place, of care for each other.
During times of crisis, we witness broad sweeps of collective action. Neighbors check on neighbors, strangers support those in need, and generosity flows freely without asking for anything in return.
In times of hardship and, just as important, in ordinary times, nonprofits do vital work and are a cornerstone of what defines us, exemplifying our values and spirit. Perhaps you’ve used local nonprofits for shelter after a fire forced you to evacuate, for emergency care for your parents or children, for legal advice, for critical health care services, for local educational, arts or music events, for pet care or adoption services, or for recreation. Chances are you’ve turned to a dozen or more local groups in recent weeks and months.
Without the more than 1,000 local nonprofits working tirelessly to fulfill their missions every day, our community would look and feel like a very different place. Their collective programs have a huge impact on our lives. It’s not easy work.
Each plays an essential role and needs your support, in whatever form you can give it.
In 2009, Monterey County Weekly decided to commit resources to a new program supporting the local nonprofit community with both editorial coverage and philanthropy. We established the Monterey County Weekly Community Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC), and Monterey County Gives! (MCGives!) was hatched as an annual appeal to Weekly readers.
MCGives! has evolved and grown immensely since then, in large part due to the collaboration between the Weekly, the Community Foundation, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, our other generous major partners, and you, our donors. You can give online to individual organizations, to all participating organizations, or to the overall match with one click, or by other means, including stock gifts and donations from your IRA.
In last year’s campaign, MCGives! raised over $17.1 million in six weeks from over 8,000 donors. That’s impactful. Since its inception, the program has raised and donated over $99 million to approximately 500 local nonprofits.
Collaboration and partnership are the keys to MCGives!
Thanks to our major partners, this year’s campaign begins with an overall Matching Fund of $1.725 million.
In addition, our participating nonprofits stepped up and raised Challenge Gifts from their key supporters to spur more giving and bring in new donors. Those gifts surpassed $3.44 million at the start of this year’s campaign.
Together, the Matching Fund and Challenge Gifts mean MCGives! kicks off this year with over $5.1 million— a fantastic beginning and a record start for the campaign.
MCGives! runs through midnight on Dec. 31.
We invite you to participate, become a donor and help spread the word. Please pass the special print edition of Monterey County Gives! along to a friend or co-worker, and use the social media tools on this website to post your support. Encourage your your kids to get involved. Some families have given their children a small amount of money to donate through MCGives! to groups of their choosing, teaching the power of philanthropy.
Every bit helps. Together, we cultivate community and create positive change for all who make Monterey County home.
Bradley Zeve, Monterey County Weekly, Monterey County Now & Salinas Valley Now
Dan Baldwin and Gina Dalma, Community Foundation for Monterey County
Steve John, Monterey Peninsula Foundation
plus our other major partners including
Taylor Farms • Neumeier Poma Investment Counsel • Gunde & Ernie Posey Family Foundation • Montage Health • David and Lucile Packard Foundation • Cannery Row Company • Cort Companies • Driscoll’s • Harden Foundation • Colburn and Alana Jones Foundation at the CFMC • Post Ranch Inn • Two Anonymous Donors
Expanding the Circle Donations to local nonprofits, no matter how small, are a vote of confidence that helps advance their mission. By Bradley Zeve If you’re reading this, you probably have a good sense of what you love about our community, and what you wish could be done to make it better. You already know […] Read more
Monterey County Gives! brings essential elements together—including you—to fulfill essential needs. By Dan Baldwin and Steve John As the 2025 Monterey County Gives! campaign neared its conclusion, our annual sense of disbelief was in full bloom. Coming off a record $14.2 million 2024 campaign, one we didn’t believe could be replicated, the numbers rushed past […] Read more
Art for All There is a big demand for Art Abilities’ classes for people with developmental disabilities. By Caitlin Fillmore In less than five years, Art Abilities has transformed from earning first place at a Monterey Bay business startup competition into an award-winning nonprofit experiencing so much demand, it is already expanding into the office […] Read more
