The Siembra Latinos Fund (SLF) was created by a group of local Latino leaders to inspire giving by and for Latinos and build on a culture of philanthropy. “Siembra” means “to sow” and the fund seeks to grow opportunity and improve the quality of life for the Latino Community in Monterey County.
Cultivating Latino Leadership and opportunity in Monterey County
Healthy, safe and engaged Latino communities
In 2024, the Siembra Latinos Fund granted $25,000 to six organizations serving Monterey County Latinos:
In 2023, the Siembra Latinos Fund granted $21,500 to five organizations serving Monterey County Latinos:
2022: $20,000 Awarded
As our youth master new knowledge and gain skills, they build the confidence to thrive in the workforce and lead their communities to a prosperous future.
Jacob Martinez, Digital NEST Founder/CEO
2021: $21,000 Awarded
2020:Â $15,000 to CFMC COVID-19 Relief Fund
2019:Â $5,000 to Census 2020 Fund
2018:Â $20,000 Awarded
The Alfred Diaz-Infante Award honors the spirit of Alfred Diaz-Infante, a community leader and nonprofit executive who created partnerships to elevate the Latino community in Monterey County.
Click here for more information, nomination timeline/form and more.
A local advisory council provides oversight, sets grantmaking priorities and raises funds to grant to nonprofit organizations serving Monterey County Latinos. The advisory council members are: Louie (Luis) Diaz-Infante Jr. (Chair), Jose Arreola (Vice Chair), Lluvia Del Rio, Ida Lopez Chan, Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Lorraine Yglesias and Martha Zárate.
The Seeds of Change campaign helps build the Siembra Latinos Fund endowment to create opportunities for Monterey County Latinos.
The SLF is a field of interest fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). The CFMC provides financial stewardship, administrative support and the services of a fully accredited community foundation that is held to rigorous National Standards.
The goal of the fund is to make grants now while building an endowment for the future.
Join us in creating healthy, safe, engaged Latino communities!
The 2024 Siembra Latinos Celebration held at the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside, was truly a special evening celebrating family, philanthropy and the Latino community in Monterey County. The event included the presentation of the 2024 Alfred Diaz-Infante Award to Dr. Juan P. Magaña, Founder, Minorities in Medicine and Hospitalist, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP). This award was created by the Siembra Latinos Fund to honor the legacy of Alfred Diaz-Infante by recognizing those who work to uplift the local Latino community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, including the evening’s emcee, Veronica Macias, grant recipients from MILPA and Building Healthy Communities, Dr. Magaña and the Siembra Latinos Fund Advisory Council members.
Your generous giving supports tackling academic, health and economic disparities through impactful grantmaking to nonprofits, to improve the quality of life for local Latino residents. We are happy to report that your support helped raise over $30,000 for the Siembra Latinos Fund. Thank you for a successful event!
We are proud of the accomplishments of the Siembra Latinos Fund and look forward to gathering next year to celebrate more grantees, dedicated community leaders and the generous donors and sponsors who make this possible.
Thank you to our event sponsors! Your support grows programs that improve the lives of Latinos in our communities.
Thank you to Juan Sánchez and Palenke Arts for their mural to be on display and the ND Club of Monterey Bay for the lovely plants on loan for the evening.
The Annual Siembra Latinos Celebration on September 28, 2023 brought more than 200 guests to raise funds for education, mental health and economic development for local Latinos. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Alfred Diaz-Infante Award to Dr. Ernesto Vela, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Monterey County Office of Education.
Why Siembra? Because we need to guide people to the realization that giving will improve our community.
Why Siembra? Because we need to guide people to the realization that giving will improve our community.
Why Siembra? Because I want our Gente to understand their economic power and influence.
Why Siembra? Because I want our Gente to understand their economic power and influence.
The Siembra Latinos Fund allows me to pay it forward to honor the legacy of my family who came here seeking the American Dream. It is the foundation for our community to prosper, grow, and thrive.
The Siembra Latinos Fund allows me to pay it forward to honor the legacy of my family who came here seeking the American Dream. It is the foundation for our community to prosper, grow, and thrive.
Para mi es importante apoyar a 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.)
Para mi es importante apoyar a 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.)
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Find ways to connect with us throughout the year.
To view all Center for Nonprofit Excellence events and other workshops for nonprofits, view our workshops calendar.
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Community Foundation for Monterey County
Monterey Office
2354 Garden Road
Monterey, CA 93940
Salinas Office
945 South Main Street, Suite 207
Salinas, CA 93901
Home page background photos
courtesy of Chris Burnham
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