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The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is proud to introduce the Luz Latina Fund, an initiative designed to empower and support the Latino community by focusing on entrepreneurship, economic opportunity, education, and responsive action to address urgent needs.
Aligned with the Community Foundation’s mission to promote equitable opportunities, the Luz Latina Fund aims to encourage entrepreneurship and financial literacy for local families, strengthen college and vocational readiness for Latino youth, and provide vital resources to address the most pressing challenges facing our Latino neighbors.
A core priority of the fund is a swift response to emergent needs, offering resources that enhance safety, protection, and access to wellness services. By ensuring that our community has the tools to navigate challenges, we help build a stronger, more resilient Mendocino County. When every community member has the resources to succeed, our local economy grows, our schools improve, and our neighborhoods thrive.
A group of dedicated Latinos representing the distinct regions of Mendocino County has been instrumental in identifying the fund’s priorities. Their on-the-ground insights help ensure that the fund addresses urgent community needs while also creating sustainable, long-term solutions. The Luz Latina Fund aims to award its first round of grants within the next six to 12 months, focusing on programs that can demonstrate both immediate and long-term value for Mendocino County.
Alignment with the Community Foundation’s strategic goals
Over the past 30 years, with your support, the Community Foundation has granted more than $33 million to organizations and causes that strengthen our community. The Luz Latina Fund continues this legacy of fostering innovation, collaboration, and equity by:
- Mobilizing Community Philanthropy: Inspiring donors who are committed to nurturing the talents and traditions of Mendocino County’s Latino population.
- Expanding Partnerships: Building a network of nonprofits and local leaders to drive impactful solutions, much like our other Field-of-Interest Funds have done.
- Ensuring Lasting Outcomes: Supporting capacity-building, strategic grantmaking, and ongoing evaluation to ensure each funded project has a sustainable and meaningful impact.
How you can help
Give today: Your donation – regardless of size – will directly support programs that enhance safety, promote economic empowerment, and provide essential resources to Mendocino County’s Latino community.
Spread the word: Share this announcement on social media or via email to inspire your friends and neighbors to support the Luz Latina Fund.
By contributing to the Luz Latina Fund, you help provide immediate support while creating lasting opportunities, ensuring a brighter, more resilient future for all of Mendocino County. Time and again, we’ve seen how inclusive prosperity sparks innovation and strengthens communities. When we invest in the well-being of every neighbor, the entire community thrives.
