Loomis, Calif.- Nearly 200 donors were honored by Placer Community Foundation (PCF) at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed in Loomis this past week. Guests learned about the many ways their generosity has made a positive impact. Last year PCF’s donors made over $680,000 in grants.
These grants supported a variety of causes locally, nationally and abroad, including the visual and performing arts; at-risk youth and seniors in our county; prevention and intervention programs for those struggling with mental health issues; and assistance to families in need.
Pamela Constantino, Board Chair for Placer Community Foundation, spoke at the event about how over 120 local nonprofits took advantage of the Foundation’s Nonprofit Initiative in 2015. PCF’s Nonprofit Initiative program helps organizations deliver higher quality, more sustainable, more valuable community services with the goal for local nonprofit organizations to thrive and grow.
Sierra College student, Shane Griffin, spoke about the scholarship he received from the John G. and Lillian M. Walsh Family Scholarship Fund at PCF and the impact it will have on his career. The scholarship fund supports a pilot program aimed at local workforce development.
Attendees also heard from Barbara Tellman, a PCF donor, who spoke about why she and her husband, Bill, chose to work with the Foundation for their giving; “During the process of rethinking our will and about philanthropy we began to feel strongly that, instead of just sending donations to many far-flung organizations, we wanted to make our bequests work to address more local needs. Placer Community Foundation seemed like the perfect fit for our philanthropic interests as they added our donations to their Community Needs Fund grants in concert with other donated funds for the benefit of our community.”
Attendees were treated to a performance by Take Note Troupe, a local award-winning theatre youth group specializing in Shakespeare and improv. They pleased the crowd with two musical numbers from their fall production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Finally, donors enjoyed a delicious, locally-prepared meal by Chef Laura Kenny of Real Food Catering. The event was sponsored by Jack and Denise Briner, Carpe Vino, Pamela and Alex Constantino, Monk’s Cellar, Recology, SAFE Credit Union, and Justice Keith and Mary Sparks.
About Placer Community Foundation
Placer Community Foundation (PCF) grows local giving to strengthen our community by connecting donors who care with causes that matter. Known for sound financial management and knowledge of the nonprofit sector, the Community Foundation continually monitors the region to better understand the nature of local needs, so that it can invest in areas such as arts and culture, education, health and human services, and the environment. The Community Foundation provides regular trainings and technical assistance for the many local nonprofits that are experiencing growing public demand for programs and services. To learn more about establishing charitable funds, visit placercf.org