Philanthropy for All

Monterey County Gives! invites you to vote with your dollars to invest in our community.

By Dan Baldwin and Steve John

As we write this, the 2024 election is a few weeks away. As you read it, the results are in. We can’t redict if you’re happy or disappointed, optimistic or gloomy. But whichever side of that very large coin you find yourself on, know that we all have another way of voting that directly influences life in Monterey County: participating in Monterey County Gives!

The word “philanthropy” has a certain high-falutin’ ring to it. Historically, it was the province of the exceedingly wealthy, and it felt like the rich were bestowing grace upon those in need. Today, while we still call it philanthropy, we’ve come to know charitable giving is responsive and nimble, a direct investment in non-profits, and the causes they work in, that mean the most to you.

In 2023, MCGives! continued the remarkable growth arc of the last decade. Last year, 8,000 donors contributed $11.9 million for local non-profits. Both the number of donors and dollars raised were records.

The Community Foundation for Monterey County and Monterey County Weekly have been partnering on MCGives! since 2009, when it raised $448,000. The Monterey Peninsula Foundation joined as a partner in 2015. Their major support of the match pool leveraged a 136-percent increase in the campaign total over 2014. Last year, we reported the addition of the Harden Foundation, the Nancy Eccles and Homer Hayward Foundation, and Taylor Farms as sponsors to the match ( joining a list of long-time match supporters); all three have renewed for 2024. This year Monterey-Salinas Transit and Post Ranch Inn are joining the sponsor list.

MCGives! seems to have its own gravitational pull for philanthropic sponsorships—and now you are invited to join in as a donor.

As you read this special issue and profiles on participating nonprofits, we encourage you to pause over groups that fall outside of your normal interest area. This is not meant to divert giving from your favorite recipients, but rather to absorb the breadth of work nonprofits perform in Monterey County. Whether serving youth, providing access to mental health services, supporting the unhoused, protecting the environment or presenting art, music or theater, our lives are incalculably enriched by these organizations.

Imagine life without them. They need our support.

Perhaps one of the greatest attributes of Monterey County Gives! is the democratization of charitable giving. We can all play our part and do it at the level with which we’re most comfortable. The Community Foundation, the Weekly, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, MCGives! and all our sponsors celebrate philanthropy at every level. It defines community and makes sure every vote counts.

Dan Baldwin is president/CEO of the

Community Foundation for Monterey County;

Steve John is CEO of the Monterey Peninsula

Foundation.