VCCF Power of Purpose – November 2025
Liebe Ventura County Community Foundation Familie,
Yesterday, I was unexpectedly transported back to the very beginning of my career. I was 21, attending my first Chamber of Commerce meeting, nervous beyond words. In my attempt to discreetly stab a grape from my fruit salad with a plastic fork as everyone was making their introductions, it slipped, flew across the table, and landed directly in Michael Towbes’ lap.
He looked up at me with such kindness and without judgment as he picked up the grape, handed it gently back to me, and said, with a twinkle in his eye, “I think this might belong to you.” I am sure I turned the deepest shade of red imaginable, and I have avoided eating grapes with a plastic fork ever since.
But from that moment on, Mike never passed me without offering a warm hello. His smile and generous spirit made me feel like I belonged and that I mattered, which is a treasured gift I will never forget, especially from those early, formative years of my professional life.
So you can imagine how deeply it touched me when yesterday, Montecito Bank & Trust awarded $100,000 from the Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend to support the Ventura County Neighbors Unterstützungsfonds. It meant more than I can adequately express. It felt like a full-circle moment, a reminder of how generosity, kindness, and active hope ripple across years and lives.
Our sister community foundation to the north was also recognized for their neighbor-support effort in Santa Barbara. In my 11 years at VCCF, I cannot recall another moment quite like it. I’m so moved by how our region’s community foundations are standing together, united in purpose, supporting neighbors across both counties. It was powerful, and it reminded me that we are joined by more than 800 community foundations across the nation, all united by place and a shared commitment to service.
Janet Garufis, Chairman & CEO, was one of the very first calls I made when we launched the Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition. She is such an amazing human, and our communities are better because of her leadership and the extraordinary team at Montecito Bank & Trust.
And the timing of this incredible donation could not be more meaningful. Just this week, because of you, our Special Advisory Committee was able to award Round 4 of grants from the Neighbors Support Fund. For this round, your contributions are being sent to 11 trusted nonprofit organizations caring for families and individuals throughout Ventura County. These grants will provide essential needs like food, rental assistance to keep children in their homes, access to medical care, support for families who have been separated, transportation to work, Meals on Wheels for seniors, and so much more.
Moments like this remind me of the goodness that lives in our community, the generosity that brings us together, and the hope that carries us forward. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu encourages us, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."
With heartfelt gratitude,
Vanessa
Vanessa Bechtel, VCCF Präsidentin und CEO
Round 5 of Funding Open for the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund!
The Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund is accepting applications from nonprofits and educational partners providing direct support to families and small businesses most impacted by recent events. Grants will help organizations meet urgent needs such as food, housing, childcare, healthcare, and other essential services. Together, we can ensure our neighbors receive the care and stability they deserve.
Let Us Support Your Year-End Giving!
As we approach the end of the year, our team is here to support your charitable giving in every way we can. Whether you are considering a gift of stock, a Qualified Charitable Distribution, opening a new fund, or simply want to explore the most meaningful way to give this season, we are honored to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can be of service.
Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund: Watch the Convening Recording!
Die Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund & Coalition had its first-ever in-person convening on Oct. 7 at the Ventura County Office of Education. Over 100 coalition and community members attended to support the cause, with incredible special guest speakers from across the county (as well as a special musical performance), and you can watch the full recording of the event!
Meet VCCF’s New Board Chair & Officers
We are pleased to welcome our new Board leadership: Chair Leah Lacayo, Secretary Veronica Quintana, and Treasurer Brando Pozzi. We are so grateful to Immediate Past Chair Sean L. Leonard for his leadership and care for our community.
Meet our three incredible Board officers by reading our latest press release!
2025 State of the Region, Out Now!
VCCF was a proud Research Sponsor of this year’s State of the Region by the Ventura County Civic Alliance, and this month’s launch event was powerful! We are so grateful for the eye-opening figures on economy, environment, and social equity that inform our county’s future.
California Connects: Oxnard Convening for Trusted Messengers
We came together with community partners, state agencies, and local leaders at California Connects: Regional Convening in Oxnard! These sessions have taken place across the state this fall, hosted by the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications.
We were thrilled to be part of this event as the convener for the Ventura County Trusted Messenger Network, and we encourage you to read Vida’s coverage of the event below.
2025 Emergency Preparedness Guide
The newest issue of Emergency Preparedness by the Pacific Coast Business Times is out! With the stormy weather we’ve experienced in our region, we encourage everyone to check out the publication to stay safe. VCCF is a proud sponsor of this vital resource for our community.
Lebensmittel vorwärts
Food Forward serves as a daily safety net for hundreds of thousands of individuals facing food insecurity, including Ventura County residents. They operate by rescuing millions of pounds of produce that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to households across 13 counties as well as seven adjacent states and tribal lands. This sustainable solution addresses both food waste and hunger relief through their volunteer and staff food recovery programs, rescuing and distributing $185 million worth of produce in 2024 alone.
There are so many ways to support your community through Food Forward during this time of food insecurity: volunteering, donating, or even registering your own fruit trees for harvest! Learn more on their website at foodforward.org.