Unwavering Support
The Pacific Life Foundation said it plans $6.25 million in charitable funding this year. The grants will focus on the areas of arts and culture; civic, community and environment; education; and health and human services.
The foundation presented its initial 2017 grants to local Southern California organizations on Jan. 18 at the annual Grants Reception at the company’s Newport Beach headquarters. As part of the evening’s special presentation, The Council on Aging Southern California received the Walter B. Gerken Community Service Award, which is named after the former PacLife chairman and CEO, and a $50,000 unrestricted cash grant.
At the grants reception, 160 Southern California-based nonprofit agencies were awarded more than $1.7 million in grants to fund a wide range of programs, including hunger relief, mental health awareness, social support services for low-income families, environmental protection and programs for people with special needs.
Capital grants were provided to the Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross, which received $50,000 to support its disaster relief fleet campaign, and to Taller San Jose in the amount of $75,000 for its Anaheim Expansion project. A $50,000 grant to fulfill a $100,000 pledge was given to KidWorks Community Development in Santa Ana for its Building Dreams campaign.
An Evening in Paris
More than 350 guests came together on Jan. 21 to raise awareness and funds for the AIDS Service Foundation at its annual gala, which serves as the foundation’s signature fundraising event.
The Parisian-themed affair, An Evening in Paris, was at entertainment venue AV in Irvine. Guests enjoyed an authentic Parisian atmosphere, including live music, mimes and magic, an open bar and a plated dinner catered by 24 Carrots.
The gala raised more than $350,000 to support the services the foundation provides, including transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, children and family programs, mental health counseling, support groups, and HIV education and prevention services.
The event was 100% underwritten. Sponsors included Trojan Battery, Leisure World and RSM Global.
Special Advocates
The William & Sue Gross Family Foundation has made a $500,000 donation to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County. CASA board member Jenny Gross and her husband, Jeff, a board member at the William & Sue Gross Family Foundation, have been offering financial and volunteer support to the nonprofit group since 2012.
“When we looked at where we could really help make a difference in our community, it was an easy decision to go with CASA of Orange County,” said Jeff Gross. “We love the way they connect neglected children with volunteer advocates who fight for their needs in the judicial system and ensure their needs are being met.”
“We are so thankful and appreciative to the William & Sue Gross Family Foundation for granting us the ability to recruit, train, and supervise more volunteers to work one-on-one with these vulnerable youth,” said CASA Chief Executive Kathryn Seebold.
Healthy Donations
Alexis Schulze, co-founder of Nekter Juice Bar, recently debuted a children’s book she wrote called “Sneaky Spinach.” And Nekter partnered with the Festival of Children Foundation to donate $4 from the sale of each book in participating stores and online to support the foundation’s mission of improving the lives of children by strengthening the charities that serve them.
The book is aimed at encouraging young children and their families to eat healthier and live more active and balanced lives.
Bits & Pieces
Project Independence in Costa Mesa, which supports people with developmental disabilities, recently was awarded a $175,000 Unrestricted Operating Support grant from the Weingart Foundation. … Organizers of the 13th annual U.S. Bank OC Marathon announced the addition of a Corporate Challenge fundraising event that spans three races in two days: the Wahoo’s OC 5K, the half marathon, and the full marathon.
