2 minute read
Message to the Community
from Connecting for Good
by TMD Creative
While it may seem 2021 was a blurry twin of 2020, it stands out as another impactful year at the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). This report will highlight record grantmaking, a record Monterey County Gives! campaign and record year-end assets. And not just squeaking past previous highs; 2021 far surpassed totals from 2020 and before.
Beyond data points, however, is a somewhat intangible set of accomplishments, ones that may be even more important relative to our community leadership, impact and mission delivery. The CFMC has always had a strong identity in grantmaking, stewardship of assets, relationships with the donor community and being here for fires and other urgent needs. We hope this identity never wavers.
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In 2021, the CFMC elevated its leadership role when it formed the COVID-19 Collaborative (C19C), filling a critical community void. The C19C created a table at which leaders in different sectors from across Monterey County could discuss and solve COVID-related issues, whether about access to testing and vaccinations, CDC guidelines, best practices and bringing in needed resources. The C19C had representation from education, healthcare, government, hospitality, agriculture, philanthropy and the nonprofit community.
Separately (but connected), we also agreed to administer the community health worker program that became VIDA (Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid). This was funded by a bold $4.9 million allocation from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation supported our administrative role, allowing us to hire project managers for testing/vaccination programs and VIDA.
The outcomes were remarkable. C19C members collaborated with muchneeded nimbleness to get information and resources in all parts of the County, whether it be workplaces, schools or homes. VIDA’s community health workers helped across the County, but especially neighborhoods and communities that were most vulnerable at the onset of the pandemic. Remarkably, some of these achieved 100% vaccination rates.
Connecting for Good accurately reflects our role in 2021. We gained skills in many new areas, skills that will be used again and again. We are, after all, Here for Good.
Teri Belli 2021/2022 Chair, Board of Directors Daniel R. Baldwin President/CEO
CONNECTING FOR GOOD ACCURATELY REFLECTS OUR ROLE IN 2021. WE GAINED SKILLS IN MANY NEW AREAS, SKILLS THAT WILL BE USED AGAIN AND AGAIN. WE ARE, AFTER ALL, HERE FOR GOOD. – Teri Belli CFMC Board Chair
