Nonprofits Get Early Christmas

The Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation is granting $485,000 to organizations for youth development, senior services, basic needs, the arts, veteran services, dental care, mental health, philanthropic services and scholarships.

Since joining the Ventura County Community Foundation as a support organization in 1994, the Smith Foundation has awarded more than 250 grants totaling more than $16 million.

The following are the recent recipients and their grant amounts.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme: $100K to improve the club experience while providing programs and services to youth.

Volunteers Assisting the Elderly: $30K for the expansion of the program to sustain and grow volunteer practical care, support and transportation for frail and/or homebound low-income seniors in the Oxnard Plains region

DRAGG, Inc.: $50K matching grant to fund a new position, a Smith Foundation program director to run the daily operations, increase donations and expand opportunities for local youth.

FOOD Share: $25K to help sustain an elevated level of service while working on longterm poverty alleviation.

Gold Coast Veterans Foundation: $40K matching grant to fund the new positions of veterans resource coordinator and employment program assistant to meet the growing demand for veterans services.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association: $20K to support the Bereavement and Hospice Services Project for Seniors in Oxnard.

Museum of Ventura County: $50K for general operating support of its collections, exhibits, educational programs and publications.

Salvation Army–Oxnard: $40K to support the Oxnard Dental Clinic, which provides free care, resources and education to low-income and uninsured families and individuals.

Terra Marine Research and Education, Inc.: $50K for a new research center and educational museum to be built to focus on the history of the Channel Islands.

Turning Point Foundation: $25K for the Wooley House Permanent Supported Housing Program in Oxnard for individuals who are homeless and mentally ill.

TEACh Scholarship Fund: $25K for education and training scholarships to county youth who are or have been in foster care.

Ventura County Community Foundation: $30K for a new donor services officer.