76 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM SEA OTTER CLASSIC FOUNDATION Year Founded: 2012 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 1 paid, 1,450 volunteers Budget: $200,000 (831) 373-2331 socfdn.org BIG IDEA: The Sea Otter Classic is well known for its thrilling bike races around Laguna Seca. But this year’s Big Idea partners with Veterans Transition Center to bring the joy and benefits of bicycling to veterans in crisis. These e-bikes not only promote healthy living but also access to jobs, health care, education and social connection for those who served our country. Increased mobility means greater self-sufficiency and confidence, helping veterans reintegrate, rely less on public services and contribute to the local workforce and economy. “I served four years in the Army, including one tour in Iraq. I’ve discovered that riding a bicycle is an activity that promotes quality of health and peace of mind. I believed that cycling kept me sane. I was referred to a job working with [a local employer] and gifted a remarkable bike that would restore my enjoyment and quality of life. With a full charge, I can make the round trip to and from work every day, with even more energy to spare. Thank you for the opportunity and my wonderful new BESV e-bike.” -Anonymous Army veteran SET FREE MONTEREY BAY Year Founded: 2018 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 8 paid, 28 volunteers Budget: $671,312 (831) 204-1334 setfreemontereybay.org BIG IDEA: Set Free Monterey Bay operates Monterey County’s only long-term residential and outpatient program for adult sex trafficking survivors. Set Free Monterey Bay’s program is a two-year model: The first year is dedicated to therapy and personal growth and the second has a workforce and community focus. Survivors in this program have earned diplomas, reunited with families, and celebrated sobriety milestones. This organization plans to expand its Big Idea to include aftercare services, deepen community partnerships and formalize job pipelines. “Set Free Monterey Bay gave me my life back. They taught me the true meaning of freedom. I never thought I would be free, but through this program I’ve learned I’m meant for so much more.” -Survivor client SIEMBRA LATINOS FUND Year Founded: 2017 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 27 paid, 65 volunteers Budget: $5,566,706 (831) 375-9712 cfmco.org BIG IDEA: In Spanish, “siembra” means “to sow” or “plant.” The Siembra Latinos Fund inspires giving by the Latino community, for the Latino community. This nearly decade-old effort focuses on the immediate and long-term well-being of Monterey County’s fastest growing population. The Fund raises money to support local leadership that drives meaningful, local change and invests in nonprofits that show results for Latinos’ economic mobility. All of this coordinated work results in a Big Idea: a more vibrant, equitable future for all of Monterey County. “Para mi es importante apoyar al fondo de Siembra Latinos Fund porque es una oportunidad para los latinos con sueños de superación. (For me it’s important to support Siembra Latinos Fund because it’s an opportunity for Latinos with dreams of self-improvement.)” -Martha Zarate SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICE Year Founded: 1957 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 83 paid, 259 volunteers Budget: $696,029 (831) 459-9373 fsa-cc.org BIG IDEA: Suicide Prevention Service, a program of the Family Service Agency of the Central Coast, mobilizes compassionate teams to support and eduVICTORY MISSION Year Founded: 1959 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 9 paid, 19 volunteers Budget: $690,115 (831) 424-5688 victorymissionsalinas.org BIG IDEA: Victory Mission has been hard at work in Salinas, providing 166,220 daily meals and 10,000 bed nights of emergency overnight shelter each year. This organization also operates Safe Harbor, a long-term sober housing program and a day center with access to television, coffee and charging stations. After 66 years, Victory Mission is ready to take its Big Idea to a new level. Donations will launch the Beyond Basics program, where community health workers help clients reach mental health treatment and transitional housing. “Victory Mission’s slogan is ‘Saving Lives Since 1959,’ which I know is true because they helped me save my life, gain employment and make healthy, productive choices.” -former program participant and current employee SPOTLIGHT “It allowed me to focus on rebuilding stability in my life without the constant stress of losing my home.” -J.S., Housing for School Kids
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