By Miriam Gershenson
SAN MARCOS, California – For the past 37 years, the San Marcos Community Foundation has played a pivotal role in uplifting nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of San Marcos.
While the foundation supports both Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, it is especially meaningful to those in the local Jewish community, as its operational and administrative processes are guided by the City of San Marcos, with funding managed through the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego.
This unique collaboration allows the San Marcos Community Foundation to channel its funds into vital initiatives that benefit a diverse array of organizations. From feeding those in need to providing arts programming, the foundation has granted over $2 million to local groups since its inception. In fact, over the past few years, including during the challenges of COVID-19, the foundation has granted more than $200,000 to 84 different organizations in San Marcos, reflecting its broad and impactful reach.
One of the Jewish organizations that has benefited from this support is Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas, a local nonprofit that integrates sustainable farming practices with community education. By supporting organizations like Coastal Roots Farm, the San Marcos Community Foundation helps cultivate both community spirit and a strong sense of social responsibility, all while advancing the goals of sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
But as the needs of local nonprofits grow, so too must the foundation’s capacity to respond. Currently, the foundation has just about $16,000 available to grant, yet requests exceed $60,000, highlighting the significant gap between available funds and the growing demands on these community-based organizations. To address this challenge, the foundation is actively seeking donations to expand its endowment, ensuring that more grants can be awarded to those making a difference in San Marcos and vicinity.
Carol Gendel, the current president of the San Marcos Community Foundation, is eager to share the foundation’s mission and initiatives with anyone interested in learning more. Carol can be contacted via email at cs.gendel@gmail.com for further inquiries.
A significant recent development is a grant the foundation received specifically for marketing and publicity, aimed at raising awareness about the foundation’s work and attracting new donors. This is a critical step, as one of the major challenges identified in a strategic planning effort with Cal State San Marcos Business School was the lack of awareness about the foundation’s existence. Many in the San Marcos community simply don’t know about the foundation or its ability to make a difference. By growing visibility and educating the public, the foundation hopes to inspire a wave of generosity that will ultimately expand its endowment and enable it to support even more organizations.
The foundation’s goals are clear: enhance its community visibility, increase donations, and provide larger grants to the nonprofits that serve the people of San Marcos. By doing so, they hope to meet the increasing demands placed on these organizations and ensure that everyone in the community, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.
For those looking to contribute, donating to the San Marcos Community Foundation is simple. Donations are handled by the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego. When making a donation, simply select “San Marcos Community Foundation” under the “designation of funds” section. For more information, visit the Jewish Community Foundation’s donation page here.
The San Marcos Community Foundation’s vision for the future is bright, but it depends on the support of the entire community. With the continued generosity of donors, the foundation can provide crucial support to the nonprofits working tirelessly to improve the lives of San Marcos residents.
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Miriam Gershenson is a freelance writer.