from, each with their own perspective. There was no editorializing—we just got to take each person’s views for what they were. Producers all across the board all shared similar challenges related to increased costs of regulatory compliance, labor and equipment and materials, leading to shrinking profit margins. I am coming away with a greater understanding of the history and diversity of agriculture in this county, from lettuce and strawberries to orchids and cannabis. I knew before entering this program that farming was hard, but now I have a greater understanding of the difficulties. Understanding these challenges makes me better equipped both to build relationships and collaborations with producers and regulators.” -Emily Zefferman HARTNELL COLLEGE FOUNDATION Year Founded: 1979 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 18 paid, 225 volunteers Budget: $8,614,632 (831) 755-6810 hartnellfoundation.org BIG IDEA: You can help students focus on the serious work of earning a college degree by investing in this Big Idea. The Hartnell College Foundation supports the Basic Needs for Student Success program, providing emergency assistance for food, transportation, childcare and short-term housing for students experiencing homelessness. The foundation seeks $400,000 to help cover survival expenses for Hartnell students, 85 percent of whom come from low-income households and 55 percent of whom are first-generation college students. “Having consistent access to groceries has made it easier to focus on school, since I’m not distracted by financial pressure or trying to figure out where my next meal will come from.” -Anonymous THE LYCEUM OF MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 1960 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 7 paid, 350 volunteers Budget: $224,200 (831) 372-6098 lyceum.org BIG IDEA: Youth can dive deep into the topics that interest them and the careers that inspire them through The Lyceum of Monterey County. This nonprofit supports several Big Idea programs that extend learning beyond the classroom, like Mock Trial, Model United Nations, History Day, and the Expanding Your Horizons STEM Conference & Career Fair for Girls. Students in these programs conduct original research, solve real-world problems, develop persuasive arguments and gain confidence through public speaking and hands-on learning. “The opportunities that The Lyceum of Monterey County offers are such a valuable part of our civic and intellectual community. Students not only develop essential public speaking, critical thinking and research skills, but also gain a meaningful stake in the issues and debates that matter most to us now. I’ve seen students come alive in a Model UN committee, enjoy the thrill of victory after a hard-won Mock Trial competition, and beam with pride while presenting their original research at National History Day. All of these moments are the result of the Lyceum’s lasting commitment to enriching our community and its students.” -Andrew Oster EDUCATION & YOUTH DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM READ TO ME PROJECT Year Founded: 2011 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 8 paid, 25 volunteers Budget: $791,000 (831) 275-1300 readtomeproject.org BIG IDEA: Where does a love of reading come from? The Read to Me Project promotes literacy by inspiring Reader Leaders, students in fourth through sixth grades, to read to younger kids at school, at home and in the community. Once a classroom-based idea, this Big Idea now stretches from King City to the Monterey Peninsula. Your donations pay for supplies like books and curriculum and sponsors family literacy events to establish a countywide culture of literacy. “Learning these strategies from Read to Me Project is helping me a lot to support my children in ways I didn’t know before.” -Salinas City Elementary School District parent SPOTLIGHT 96 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com
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