Power of Purpose – July 2026
親愛なるベンチュラ郡コミュニティ財団の皆様、
I am reminded every day just how much we are all part of the fabric of our Ventura County community, and how much good happens when we support one another and do it together.
In May, I attended the カリフォルニア・コミュニティ財団リーグ’ Spring Convening along with VCCF President & CEO Vanessa Bechtel. There, we met with legislators on topics like access to highest-quality early childhood education through the イザベラ・プロジェクト, disaster resilience and support for our neighbors through the ベンチュラ郡隣人支援基金 and more. I also got to exchange ideas with other community foundation board chairs, learn from their experiences and see what is applicable here in Ventura County.
I’m delighted to share that at our June Board Meeting, our Board approved $358,493 in new grants to nine organizations across our community. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when generosity meets good stewardship.
Our Board Retreat this spring was one to remember. VCCF’s Board of Directors gathered at the picturesque タフト・ガーデンズ＆自然保護区, a 264-acre property nestled in the Ojai foothills. There, we saw firsthand the work of their dedicated team who care for the gardens and vital open space. Another highlight of the retreat was presenting the オハイ・ラプター・センター with a $25,000 award from the VCCF動物福祉基金! And as many of you may know, over the past several days, the veterinary and rehabilitation teams at the ORC have continued providing around-the-clock care for Jackie, the beloved bald eagle, who remains in critical condition. This is just one example of the vital work the Ojai Raptor Center does to care for and protect wildlife.
On a personal note, I’ve genuinely enjoyed spending more time with our VCCF staff during my first nine months as Board Chair, hearing what drew them to this work and what they are passionate about. They too care deeply for this community, and it shows in everything they bring to this work. That same spirit feels especially timely. Philanthropy itself is evolving, moving from a model of simply writing checks toward one of purpose-driven giving, where donors and foundations alike are asking not just “What can we fund?” but “What change do we want to help create, together?” It’s a shift I find energizing, and one that positions community foundations like ours to lead the way.
At the heart of that shift is storytelling. When we share the stories of the students, neighbors, organizations and ecosystems touched by this work, we’re not just spreading awareness. We’re building belonging. People don’t just learn what VCCF does; they see themselves in it, and they find their own place in the story. That sense of connection is what turns a gift into something greater. It’s a shared investment in the community we love.
And there’s a lot ahead: next year, VCCF celebrates our 40th anniversary! Four decades of neighbors helping neighbors, and we can’t wait to celebrate that legacy with you while looking toward what the next 40 years might hold.
Thank you, as always, for being part of this community and this story. It’s what we bring to one another collectively that makes Ventura County so great.
感謝を込めて、
Leah Lacayo, VCCF Board Chair
OCPSC Community Outreach and Enrollment Grant Update
The OCPSC Community Outreach and Enrollment grant has concluded, with 100% of its goals achieved! VCCF partnered with other community foundations from サンタバーバラ, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County そして San Luis Obispo County to assist community members access critical state programs and resources for extreme heat, ITIN access, mental health and more.
Alongside these partners, we awarded grants to seven different trusted messenger organizations, including Buen Vecino, ナイランド・プロミスそして LUCHA/Poder Popular.
Running from January to June 2026, these organizations held thousands of conversations in their communities and completed over 2,000 assisted enrollments, leading to incredible results for supported families.
VCCF’s YouTube Page Officially Launches!
We’re excited to announce the official launch of our VCCF YouTube channel! We’ll be sharing video interviews with grantees and local nonprofits, full length Lunch & Learn recordings, events and much more you won’t want to miss. We are proud to share these interviews and stories from our Ventura County community with you, and hope you enjoy!
The YouTube channel is already loaded up with new video content that you can enjoy today! Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you can also stay up to date with all of our future video releases.
Grantee Spotlight
コネホ・フリー・クリニック
We sat down with Sarah Hawkins, Executive Director of Conejo Free Clinic, to discuss their services for our disinvested communities, such as medical, dental and legal care, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary of helping Ventura County residents. Learn more about Conejo Free Clinic and how they help our community in this new video interview!
DPN Visit Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley
Middle School Mentor Program
VCCF’s Donor Peer Network toured the サンタクララ・バレー・ボーイズ・アンド・ガールズ・クラブ‘s Santa Paula club location and learned about the expansion of their successful Middle School Mentor Program into the Santa Paula Unified School District. Their team informed our DPN members of the ways in which the Club engages with youth and highlighted their exciting mentor program.
With the sound of children enjoying their summer in the background, this visit was truly delightful, inspiring and valuable. Watch our video interview with Pearl Galvan, the club’s CEO, to learn more about their Middle School Mentor Program and the services they provide.
MANDO Youth Development Group
Learn about MANDO Youth Development Group in this video interview with founder and executive director, Marcos Aviles. Marcos discusses his early life and how it shaped MANDO’s approach to uplifting our community’s youth living in challenging circumstances by helping them recognize and heal from traumas, offering them community and showing them that their lives can reach higher potential than what they believe possible.
Ventura Breeze Spotlights VCCF
Carol Leish, of the Ventura Breeze, recently covered VCCF’s impact and generosity within the county in an article published last month. While the article discusses details and exciting updates from VCCF’s nearly 40 years of service, we would like to note how proud we are to be making a difference within our beloved Ventura County! As we look forward to seeing more coverage on the initiatives and impacts that you help us bring into fruition, we hope that publications like these energize you as much as it does us!
Many Mansions Annual Report
Building Homes, Enriching Lives, Uplifting Community
Many Mansions is a local nonprofit built on the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home and an opportunity to improve their quality of life, with over 2,000 individuals served yearly. They recently released their 2026 Annual Report, where their client stories and statistics demonstrate the transformative power of affordable housing in our community. Be sure to flip through this engaging report on their website to learn more.