Your Donations Make a Direct Impact

Help Fund our 2023 Excellence Grants

Thank you to everyone who contributed in 2022 to help fund our upcoming 2023 Excellence Grants!

While our 2022 year-end fundraising campaign yielded generous donations, we did not raise the amount we believe will be necessary to fulfill our 2023 grant requests.
Last year, we received a record number of requests totaling more than $425,000. Because of you, we were able to fund 35 grants totaling $125,000.
Our recent discussions with several community nonprofits have revealed that their needs are greater than ever before which is why we ask you to consider a donation.

The Community Foundation's Excellence Grants provide critical dollars to nonprofits in the areas of Human Services, Arts & Culture, Youth Development & Education and Seniors.
Below are two examples of how your 2022 donations made a direct impact:

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is helping residents meet basic daily needs. Its 2022 Excellence Grant was used for general operating expenses as it strives to help residents of the two counties stay fed and healthy every day. "The incredible kindness of the Community Foundation's donors and  business partners has ensured those in need have plenty of nutritious food to eat and do not have to choose between keeping food on the table and paying for essentials such as medicine, rent or utility bills," says Lindsay Drakeley, Leadership Gifts Manager, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Did you know the Food Bank:

• Helps provide 3.5 million meals to neighbors in need each month
• Ensures 50% of the food provided is fresh produce
• Enables the rescue of 4.5 million pounds of food that would otherwise be wasted
• Feeds hungry kids, families and seniors 7 days a week, 365  days a year

Lamorinda Adult Respite Center (LARC)

LARC provides invaluable services to local adults living with mild to moderate memory loss due to 
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Studies show one of the last things Alzheimer's patients forget is music.

The grant LARC received was used to offset costs for live musicians who perform daily. "Twelve rotating musicians, including pianists, vocalists, guitarists, clarinetists and ukulele players perform music that is most likely familiar to program participants so they can sing along. Participants enjoy circle dancing during performances and look forward to this hour in their day. The program offered by LARC is designed to improve eating and sleep patterns and offer a better overall sense of safety and well-being to older adults," says LARC Program Director, Kathleen Januszewski.

Join us in our efforts to raise money for our 2023 Excellence Grants. We strive to ensure that your donations are being used for the most impactful grants possible. To donate, please click the button below. Thank you for your support and interest in working together to make a difference in our community.

Since 1999, the
 Community Foundation of Lafayette has given more than $1 million dollars in grants
to local nonprofits all thanks to our donors, business partners and business sponsors.

The following were among the 35 grantees that received a 2022 Excellence Grant:

Lions Center for the Visually Impaired

Lions Center for the Visually Impaired (LCVI) has served blind and visually impaired adults in

the East Bay since 1954. Each year, LCVI provides education, prevention and socialization services to help hundreds of low-income older adults maintain their vision, independence and quality of life. LCVI's Excellence Grant has been used toward the costs of services for the Lafayette residents it helps. To learn more about Lions Center for the Visually Impaired, please click
HERE
.

Loaves and Fishes Contra Costa

For more than 39 years, Loaves and Fishes Contra Costa has provided hunger relief to individuals, families, seniors, veterans, homeless, disadvantaged youth and those with disabilities. Its Excellence Grant will be used for its Culinary Training Program, a 12-week free program for those interested in learning the basic culinary skills needed to qualify for a starting position in the culinary industry. To learn more about Loaves and Fishes, please click
HERE
.

LPIE (Lafayette Partners in Education)

For more than 40 years, LPIE's mission has been to support and enrich the education of every child in the Lafayette public schools. Its Excellence Grant is being used to support the Stanley Lunch Clubs. More than 35 clubs provide Stanley Middle School students opportunities to connect with a diverse group of peers and give them a safe place to be themselves. To Learn more about LPIE, please click
HERE
.

Mindful Littles

Mindful Littles bridges mindfulness and self-compassion with direct volunteerism opportunities for TK-8th grade children. Since 2016, Mindful Littles has facilitated over 100 mindful service projects in Lamorinda supporting more than 30 local nonprofit partners and community organizations. Mindful Littles' grant will be used to offer six service projects in the Lafayette community during the 2022-2023 school year. These projects may include diaper bundling, hygiene kit assembly, meal assembly, art kit assembly and more. To earn more about Mindful Littles, please click
HERE
.

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region

For more than 50 years, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region (MOW) has improved the lives of vulnerable seniors by delivering nutritious meals and supportive services that allow seniors to remain in their homes safely and with dignity. MOW used its 2022 Excellence Grant to provide services to 113 Lafayette residents. To learn more about Meals on Wheels Diablo Region, please click
HERE
.

Mountain Shadow Film Society

Mountain Shadow Film Society is dedicated to bringing the best in international and independent filmmaking to Lafayette, Walnut Creek and surrounding communities.  Mountain Shadow used its Excellence Grant for its 8th Annual Short Film Competition. Twelve finalists presented their films to audiences at three shows. To learn more about Mountain Shadow Film Society, please click
HERE
.

Pacific Chamber Orchestra

Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO) used its Excellence Grant for general operating expenses to support two of its 2022 concerts in Lamorinda. What began as a three- concert series in Lafayette has expanded to five concerts including the presentation of new works by emerging composers. To learn more about Pacific Chamber Orchestra, please click
HERE
.

Sydney Paige Foundation

Sydney Paige Foundation is a women-led and women-run nonprofit that provides high-quality backpacks, books and school supplies to children in need, resulting in improved self-esteem and a love of learning. While Sydney Paige operates nationwide, most of its donations go to Bay Area schools. Year-to-date, it has distributed 19K backpacks, over 45K school supplies and 38K books. To learn more about Sydney Paige Foundation, please click
HERE
.

The Park Theater Trust

The Park Theater Trust's (TPTT) mission is to restore and operate Lafayette's iconic Park Theater building and revitalize it into an accessible and inclusive cinema, arts and culture hub. TPTT's Excellence Grant will be used to fund lobby renovation and a popcorn machine. To learn more about TPTT, please click
HERE
.

If you are a local nonprofit and interested in applying for a 2023 Excellence Grant, please click
the button below.
The
application deadline is April 30, 2023.

Lafayette's 2nd Annual Community Day--Saturday, June 3

Lafayette's three Cs--Community Foundation, City and Chamber of Commerce will once again partner for the second annual Lafayette Community Day
. This special day of volunteerism and celebration will include an opportunity for attendees to sign up for day-of volunteer opportunities in the categories of youth development & education, seniors, arts & culture, diversity and kindness and town beautification.

Email i
nfo@lafayettecommunityday.org
if:

• 
  You are a business interested in sponsoring this event. This year there are opportunities for in-kind and financial sponsorships exclusively for small businesses 
  
• You are a local nonprofit interested in hosting a volunteer project on Saturday, June 3 and would like to receive a request for proposal

Mark your calendar and plan to roll up your sleeves on June 3.
Please visit
 lafayettecommunityday.org
for more details as they unfold.

The Community Foundation Welcomes Three New Board Members

Rachel Browne

Rachel has been active in the community through various volunteer activities including PTA, LPIE and Girl Scouts. Professionally, she has been supporting small to medium- sized businesses with roles in accounting, finance, marketing and communications. To learn more about Rachel, please click
HERE
.

Mindy Bush

Mindy was an active volunteer in Lafayette schools, sports teams, Girl Scouts and church. Her experience has included positions as board chair, treasurer, event chair, fundraising, secretary and volunteer recruitment. More recently, Mindy has become a volunteer with White Pony Express, a food rescue organization serving Contra Costa County. To learn more about Mindy, please click

HERE

.

Karen Maggio

Karen began her volunteer work with the Lafayette School PTA, coaching for LMYA and teaching Junior Achievement programs in Lafayette classrooms. She served on the Vision 2000 Library Committee, the catalyst for the creation of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center and, later, as the Planning Commissioner liaison to that building committee. To learn more about Karen, please click
HERE
.

Board of Directors:

Ann Appert

Diane Barbera

Rachel Browne

Mindy Bush

Susan Candell

Jeffrey Dieden

Grace Dixon

Jill Douglas

Scott Elliott

Carol Federighi

Teresa Gerringer

Karen Maggio

Mary Newman

Cheryl Noll--President

Christine Raymond

Michele Sahar

Randall Whitney

Rhonda Andronico--Executive Director

Advisory Council:

Larry Blodgett

Kathy Bowles

Judy Carney

Sereta Churchill

Bill Clark

Janet Cronk

Dennis Garrison

Lamont Gilbert

Anne Grodin

Matt Janopaul

Jay Lifson

Kathy Merchant

Karen Mulvaney

Jennifer Perlmutter

Don Tatzin

If you are interested in serving on the Community Foundation's Board of Directors or Advisory Council, please email
info@lafayettecf.org
.

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