MAKING A DIFFERENCE Creating Impact
Our Mission Enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve.
Our Roles The Community Foundation engages in three core roles: Raising Funds—promoting and generating community capital Stewarding Funds—-prudently investing and managing the funds entrusted to us Distributing Funds—creating positive community impact through effective and efficient grantmaking In addition, The Community Foundation recognizes that it is uniquely positioned to provide quality of life leadership and act as a catalyst for change in our region.
Our Values Stewardship—including accountability, consistency and fiduciary responsibility Integrity—including professionalism, trust, honest communication Visionary—focusing on the future, providing leadership, catalyzing change and demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit and creativity Stakeholder focus—including concern for community, good citizenship, excellent customer service, personalized attention, proactive outreach, caring and compassion Excellence—in everything we do Working together as a team
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MESSAGE from our LEADERSHIP The Community Foundation Serving the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino enhances the quality of life in the communities we serve. Indeed, that is our mission statement. We improve quality of life by creating and helping others create impact. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, one of the definitions of “impact” is the force of impression of one thing on another. This document highlights areas of impact where The Community Foundation and those working with us, have had the opportunity to leave an impression of some sort, on another. Take, for example, Riverside Construction Company, an employee owned engineering firm. They decided to honor their founders with a memorial scholarship fund. Their generosity left an impression on Gema Loera, a freshman civil engineering student who received financial support for her college education. Or, perhaps one could look at the Riverside Building Capacity for Success program led by The Community Foundation. Nonprofits participating in this program will strengthen their core skills which will make them more sustainable in the future. That is surely leaving an impression on another.
im·pact: noun \im-pakt\--the force of impression of one thing on another. Our hope is that as you read these stories and others, you will be inspired. We look forward to working with you to leave an impression on another and create impact for your community.
Celia Cudiamat Interim President/CEO
Grover Trask 2012 Chair of the Board
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Dr. Robert Mills, DVM at Animal Samaritans
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Animal Samaritans A large and growing arsenal of scientific evidence shows that pets are of vital importance to the health and happiness of the elderly. Results of a three-year study of 5,741 people at the Baker Medical Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia, show that pet owners had lower blood pressure and significantly lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than did nonowners. When examining the results, researchers tried to determine if there was some factor other than pet ownership that was influencing the outcome. But they couldn’t find any. The researchers validated what Mary Cecelia Herdina, a longtime Riverside resident, already knew. Pets are simply good for people and their health, especially senior citizens.
The Community Foundation has distributed over $800,000 to animal care nonprofits. Animal Samaritans, SPCA, inc., a total animal care center in Thousand Palms, California, is one of the recipients of funds from the Herdina fund. Animal Samaritans runs both a shelter and a clinic, but the $135,000 received from the Herdina fund thus far has gone to the Senior’s Pet Wellness assistance program. Seniors can apply for financial aid if they need assistance paying for veterinarian care. “The Herdina Fund at The Community Foundation is very important to the people in the Valley here,” said Fred Saunders, Executive Director of Animal Samaritans. “Allowing elderly pet owners to love and feel loved may be the greatest contribution pets can make.”
Pets are simply good for people and their health, especially senior citizens. In 2002, The Community Foundation received a bequest from Ms. Herdina’s estate. She designated that the proceeds of the estate be used to establish an endowment for the “payment of veterinary fees and costs incurred by needy senior citizens in the care and treatment of their animals.” The seniors must be over the age of 65 and demonstrate a financial need for such assistance. Ms. Herdina’s goals were to distribute the funds through Riverside and San Bernardino counties to nonprofit agencies to ensure that seniors could continue to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of having pets, while reducing the financial burden of caring for them. Since the first distribution in 2004, the Albert and Anna Herdina Memorial Fund for Animals at
Clinic 72120 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, CA 92276 Shelter 72307 Ramon Road, Thousand Palms, CA 92276 Phone 760-343-3477 Website animalsamaritans.org
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Gema Loera While most little girls her age played with their Barbies, Gema Loera preferred to build the houses in which those Barbies would live. Whether it was with a tissue box, cardboard, or a nearby school book, Gema spent her childhood building things. It’s no surprise then that she is now a freshman at Cal Poly Pomona studying civil engineering. Gema is a 2012 recipient of a scholarship from the Riverside Construction Company Harmon/ Lounsbury Scholarship Fund at The Community Foundation. Gema and her five siblings immigrated to California from Mexico when she was six years old. She is inspired by her older sister who just graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a civil engineering degree. Together, they plan to establish a women-owned business enterprise of multi-disciplined engineering firms, and will focus on employing women. “That will happen after I obtain my masters degree in civil engineering,” states Gema. She credits her parents support for her academic success. “They taught us the value of education,” she stated. “I wanted to do well in school so I could help provide for them when they are older like they have done for me and my siblings.” Gema’s family of eight is solely supported by her father, who works in the volatile construction field. “This scholarship has allowed me to pay for my own education,” says Gema. She is thankful for the support and the opportunity to make her parents proud “that they have a responsible daughter.”
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Riverside Construction Company Officers from left to right: Greg Camp Jr. Vice President, Jason Moore Vice President, George Olivo Secretary, Matt Pim President, Richard Lounsbury Ex Vice President, and Julie Greenhaw Treasurer.
Riverside Construction Company, Inc. Riverside Construction Company, Inc. is a full service general engineering contractor specializing in heavy/civil construction throughout Southern California. For over forty years they have built projects for both the public and private sectors of the construction industry primarily within the Inland Empire and Temecula Valley Areas. Projects include roadways/freeways, bridges, retaining walls, dams, flood control channels, storm drains, parks, and underground utilities. Riverside Construction Company is proud to be a 100% employee owned company. All their dedicated employees have a stake in the success of the firm and are committed to quality
work and service. They are also committed to giving back. To honor the company’s founders, the employees of Riverside Construction Company established a Scholarship Fund in the memory of Chuck Harmon and Gordon Lounsbury. “We knew we wanted to do something to honor them, and The Community Foundation helped guide us in doing just that,” says Matt Pim, President, CEO at Riverside Construction Company. “In our region, there were very few scholarships for civil engineers, so that is what we focused on.” Gema Loera is one of the recipients of the Riverside Construction Company Harmon/ Lounsbury Scholarship Fund.
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THINK Together While many students go home when the bell rings, some go to THINK Together where they launch into an afternoon of reading, exploring sciences, crafting arts, exercising the body as well as the mind. Currently only 18% of low income students of color go to college and less than 9% of them graduate. Statewide 37% of high school students dropout. Among African Americans the dropout rate is 44% and Hispanics 48%. The average 17 year old Hispanic or African American student performs at the level of the average 13 year old white or Asian student. Why is this important? 57% of California students are African-American or Hispanic. The average salary of a high school dropout is $19,540 but a college graduate averages
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$46,930 a year. Economists project a shortage of 1 million college graduates in California’s workforce in 2020. THINK Together wants to make sure this doesn’t occur. They think about these sobering statistics all the time. THINK serves over 100,000 youth at more than 400 locations throughout California, including San Bernardino County. They are closing the achievement gap on a large scale by providing students with a support system outside of school by offering them high quality, extended learning time programs that take place after school, on Saturdays, and in summer that build on what student are learning in the classroom. THINK provides tutoring one-on-one and in small groups through Supplemental Educational Services.
along with Early Childhood Programs assuring kids entering kindergarten are healthy, safe and ready to learn. “Today we create systems of change to really transform whole communities… statewide, so, ALL students can reach their full potential,” said Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of THINK Together.
For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.THINKtogether.org or www.facebook.com/THINKtogether.
Bruce and Nancy Varner Bruce and Nancy Varner are enthusiastic supporters of K-12 and higher education in the Inland Empire. They invest their time, energy and resources in organizations they believe in. Bruce, an attorney and partner with the firm of Varner and Brandt LLP, is currently serving a 12-year term as a UC Regent, appointed by the governor in 2006. He also serves on the California State University San Bernardino Foundation Board of Governors and has received an honorary doctor of law degree from CSUSB. He and Nancy also established one of the original athletic scholarships at CSUSB in honor of his parents, Ann and Doyle Varner. Nancy, too, is investing in her community. She is a founding member of Inland Women Fighting Cancer, an organization raising funds for cancer centers and cancer support organizations in our region. The money raised is made possible through the annual Believe Walk event that takes place each year in the historic district of Redlands, California on the first Sunday of October. To date, the Believe Walk has raised over $1.3 million. Together, the Varner’s charitable giving and involvement is diverse and encompasses
the arts, libraries, basic human needs and education. “Education is high on our list,” said Bruce. It’s because of this commitment to education that they are supporters of THINK Together through their charitable fund at The Community Foundation. “The early intervention and focus on education at THINK Together is so valuable to the future success of these kids. We want to do what we can to help.” The couple say that one of the greatest things about charitable giving through The Community Foundation is that the foundation works with them to ensure the money is going where it is needed most. “They help us get the most bang for our buck,” said Bruce. “We want to help make a better life for people in our community,” said Nancy. “Any individual donation is just a drop in the bucket, but when lots of people invest together, we can make a real big difference.”
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Building Capacity for Success Thanks to funding from Weingart Foundation, The Community Foundation is implementing a comprehensive, two-year capacity building project targeting nonprofit organizations called “Building Capacity for Success” Capacity Building Project for Western Riverside County. This project builds on the highly successful model developed in San Bernardino County and supports the Foundation’s Nonprofit Capacity Building & Leadership Development Initiative. The overall goal of the “Building Capacity for Success” project is to increase the organizational, grant proposal development, and fundraising capabilities of a small group of community-based nonprofits that serve Western Riverside County. The end goal is that each of the participating nonprofits will be better prepared to apply for and receive grant funding from Weingart Foundation and other funders. Twelve nonprofit organizations were selected to participate in the project. They are: Axis Foundation; Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Services; Inland Caregiver Resource Center; Inland Congregations United for Change; Kids Rock Free School of Music and Museum Foundation; Public Services Law Corporation of the Riverside County Bar Association; Riverside Art Museum; Riverside Land Conservancy; Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation; Starting Over,
Inc.; Turrill Transitional Assistance Program, Inc.; and Women’s Breast Cancer Resource Center (Michelle’s Place). The 12 participating nonprofits will be engaging in organizational assessments, Logic Model training, workshops, peer learning sessions, individualized technical assistance, coaching, and evaluation. Agencies will also have the opportunity to develop collaborative relationships with other agencies in the region. The “Building Capacity for Success” Project has been planned in partnership with a key group of leaders and/or organizations involved with capacity building efforts in the county. They are: Kyra Wilson, Program Director, Resource Center for Nonprofit Management at Community Connect; Ninfa Delgado, Vice President, Riverside Community Health Foundation; Veronica Dover, Executive Vice President, Family Services Association, Riverside; Debra Jackson, Planning Division Manager, Community Action Partnership of Riverside County; Kevin McCarthy, President/CEO, United Way of the Inland Valleys; Stella Smith, Deputy Director, First Five, Riverside; and Hattie Byland, President, Inland Empire Grant Professionals Association.
The Cohort for “Building Capacity for Success” poses during the Orientation in September 2012.
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Please direct my contribution to the following interest areas: (choose one or more with a ✓) ❏ Nonprofit/Philanthropic Capacity Building - Strengthening nonprofits through training and collaboration ❏ Arts & Culture - Supporting a key quality of life indicator; strengthening and building arts councils ❏ Environment - Educating and supporting important environmental issues ❏ Youth Philanthropy - Introducing our youth to the practice of giving and addressing youth issues through philanthropy ❏ General Operating Fund
I would like to make a contribution in support of The Community Foundation’s activities. ❏ Enclosed is my check in the amount of $ ❏ Or transfer $
from the
Fund
To make a contribution using your credit card, please call 951-241-7777 or visit our website at www.thecommunityfoundation.net.
Mail to: The Community Foundation 3700 Sixth St. Ste. 200, Riverside, CA 92501 or FAX to: 951-684-1911
❏ Check here if you would like more information about beginning a charitable giving fund at The Community Foundation.
✁ Tel: 951-241-7777 Fax: 951-684-1911
Staff Directory Celia Cudiamat Interim President/CEO Vice President of Grants, Donor Services & Administration ccudiamat@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 114 Penny Beaulieu Grants and Donor Services Manager pbeaulieu@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 111 Alenny Cadag Finance Associate acadag@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 124 Sharilyn Hunke Communications Officer shunke@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-777 ext. 123
www.TheCommunityFoundation.net Facebook: The Community Foundation
Kris Kirkpatrick Assistant to the President kkirkpatrick@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 122 Joseph LaGuess Coachella Valley Planned Gifts Officer jlaguess@thecommunityfoundation.net 760-534-2444
Paula Myles Controller pmyles@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 115
Karen Lampert Community Initiatives Coordinator klampert@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 125
Ashley Peake Receptionist /Administrative Assistant apeake@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 128
Jose Marquez Director of Grant & Resource Development jmarquez@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 113
Kim Potter Development & Special Events Manager kpotter@thecommunityfoundation.net 951-241-7777 ext. 110
Board of Directors Grover Trask Chair of the Board
Lynn Bogh Baldi Emeritus Board Chair
James Cuevas Vice Chair of the Board
Rabbi Hillel Cohn
Pat Spafford, CPA Chief Financial Officer
Stanley Grube
Patrick O’Reilly
Gloria Macias Harrison Immediate Past Board Chair
Benita B. Roberts Ali Sahabi
Henry Coil Past Board Chair
Lisa Houston Philip Savage IV Dr. Albert Karnig
Andrea Dutton Kirk Harns Secretary of the Board
Beverly Stephenson Vernon Kozlen
Robert Fey
Sean Varner D. Matthew Pim
Glenda Bayless
Paul Granillo
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NON-PROFIT ORG
3700 Sixth Street, Suite 200 • Riverside, CA 92501 Tel: 951-241-7777 | Fax: 951-684-1911 www.thecommunityfoundation.net
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PAID RIVERSIDE, CA PERMIT NO. 8055
Youth Grantmakers The Youth Grantmakers Committee was created at The Community Foundation to empower youth to address issues important to them by participating in grantmaking, a formal practice of philanthropy. Through this program, young people become active agents of change, preparing them for responsive community leadership through experiential education and practical hands-on service. During the 2011-2012 academic year , 28 local high school students, ages 15-18 years old from
eight schools, participated in this nine month program. The Youth Grantmakers survey their peers, conduct site visits, review grant proposals, and make grant recommendations based on local youth needs. Since 2009, Youth Grantmakers have awarded $75,000 in grants to nonprofits in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.