for Independent Journalism will support the newly hired Salinas Valley Now team of journalists, and help the team expand its news coverage and audience. “What a wonderful gift to offer Salinas and Monterey County! I’m so impressed with all you’ve accomplished so far. Journalism is my thing and I tell everyone I encounter that the Weekly is the best source of local news and issue coverage that we have. Local news is expensive—and vital.” -Susan M. GATHERING FOR WOMEN - MONTEREY Year Founded: 2014 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 14 paid, 85 volunteers Budget: $1,861,147 (831) 241-6154 gatheringforwomen.org BIG IDEA: In a typical year, Gathering for Women serves 400 individual women. By August 2026, the nonprofit had already welcomed 349 women and children, including 79 people receiving help for the first time. On three days in July, 50 women received meals, nearly double the daily average. This dramatic surge in need means this Big Idea seeks help to continue providing nutritious meals, clean clothing, hot showers and comprehensive case management for women seeking stability. “Thank you so much for all the extras, and sharing a genuine safe, kind place to be. Today I see my strength, my real me. Some bit of life is back with laughter.” -Anonymous guest HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MONTEREY BAY Year Founded: 1989 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 22 paid, 362 volunteers Budget: $2,585,033 (831) 469-4663 habitatmontereybay.com BIG IDEA: Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay’s Big Idea is housing for all. Donations to this nonprofit help build and restore any type of shelter you can think of: new homes for families, seniors, veterans; playhouses for children and even humane homes for pets. Existing homes are also preserved and repaired (often by volunteers) to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis. Seniors and people with disabilities can also receive accessibility modifications so they can live in a safe and dignified dwelling. “Homeownership in California shouldn’t be a distant dream. Habitat Monterey Bay gave me more than financial training and mortgage assistance— they gave me the knowledge, confidence and support to navigate through a process filled with systemic barriers that I didn’t even know existed. After living in Canada and New York, I am finally able to age in place in Marina, near my daughter. It’s hard to put into words what Habitat has meant to me and my family.” -Margaret Bernier HARMONY AT HOME Year Founded: 2004 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 55 paid, 19 volunteers Budget: $5,395,750 (831) 625-5160 harmony-at-home.org BIG IDEA: The effects of childhood trauma, if untreated, can extend into adulthood and resurface as a future mental health crisis. Harmony At Home’s mission is to intervene before the violence, instability or grief experienced as a child manifests into more serious issues. This Big Idea offers a wide spectrum of services for youth facing various obstacles, from bullying prevention to support for pregnant and parenting teens. Donations help sustain these programs, which reach approximately 30,000 individuals across more than 50 schools and youth organizations. “Harmony At Home impacted my family a lot 70 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM MONTEREY OFF ROAD CYCLING ASSOCIATION (MORCA) Year Founded: 2006 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 167 volunteers Budget: $55,200 (415) 309-8813 morcamtb.org BIG IDEA: The Monterey Off Road Cycling Association announces the Laguna Seca Bike Park, a proposed $3 million partnership between Friends of Laguna Seca and MORCA. This multi-year project envisions transforming the temporary cycling terrain used for the annual Sea Otter Classic into permanent infrastructure for bicyclists. MORCA sees this Big Idea bike park as a solution to the limited opportunities for bicyclists to ride: bikes are mostly prohibited in state, county, regional and city parks throughout Monterey County. “The proposed Laguna Seca Bike Park represents a thoughtful, forward-looking opportunity to build on the legacy of Laguna Seca Recreation Area and the Sea Otter Classic cycling event. A permanent, progression-based facility—with trails and features designed for riders of varying ages, abilities and interests—would expand access to safe, high-quality outdoor recreation while supporting public health, youth engagement and lifelong physical activity.” -Wendy Root Askew SPOTLIGHT “Your programs help us find hope and not be stuck with fear.” -Anonymous, NAMI Monterey County
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