Making the World Better: Daphne and Stuart Wells
“She’s Brooklyn, I’m Bronx,” says Stuart Wells of his wife Daphne. Meeting as youth, they were “both shot by cupid’s arrow” at the same time and married after their first year of graduate school. They both deeply value education, having received free college tuition in New York state schools, and later became teachers themselves, each […]
Inspiring Philanthropy; Strengthening Communities – 2022 Annual Report
 If the Community Foundation for Monterey County is to be effective, if it is truly Inspiring Philanthopy; Strengthening Communities, it is because we’re a reflection of a powerful philanthropic landscape that stretches from Big Sur to Castroville, Salinas to San Ardo, and all points in between. It is truly an honor to be your […]
My Scholarship Story: Brandon Le
Brandon Le, a freshman at UCLA born and raised in Seaside, has always been fascinated by how things work. “I’m really interested in problem solving,” he told us. “Ever since I was a kid, I integrated myself into technology. I grew up liking electronics, and I always wanted to know: what’s behind all that?” Brandon […]
Growing Opportunity: Scholarships
One of the ways the Community Foundation for Monterey County strengthens communities is through scholarship funds. The CFMC manages nearly 70 named scholarship funds established by individuals, families and businesses who recognize the value of education and want to create opportunities for local students.  Receiving the scholarship has made everything so much easier. I’m free […]
Siembra Latinos Fund Announces Inaugural Alfred Diaz-Infante Award Recipient: Ernesto Vela, Ed.D.
The Siembra Latinos Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County is proud to announce that Ernesto Vela, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Monterey County Office of Education, is the recipient of the inaugural Alfred Diaz-Infante Award. The award was established in 2023 to honor the late Alfred Diaz-Infante, a community leader and […]
Finnigan Scholarship Award Recipients
The Autism Society of California, the Finnigan family and the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) proudly announce the names of three highly qualified California students who received Achievement Scholarship awards through the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Emma Blanck of Moorpark received the 2023 1st place scholarship award of $2,000. Clara Garcia of Riverside was […]
My Scholarship Story: Laura Rivera
Women’s Fund Scholarship Recipient Laura K. Rivera Shares Her Story Laura Rivera, a Spanish and Political Science major and current Vice-President and Student Trustee of Hartnell College, is a recipient of the Girls’ Health in Girls’ Hands Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Monterey County. A first-generation Latina college student named 2022 Young Adult Philanthropist […]
Introducing the CNE Advisor Circle
Our local nonprofit sector is large and diverse, and the landscape has changed with our experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Not to mention in the ten years since we rebranded our programs as the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE). To help us look ahead and stay responsive, we created the CNE Advisor Circle […]
SMCF Launches Campaign for the Future
Building South County & Celebrating 10 Years of the SMCF (Scroll down for event slideshow) The Southern Monterey County Foundation (SMCF) celebrated 10 years of impact and launched their Campaign for the Future on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Advisory Board Members shared the impact of the SMCF to improve the quality of life in South […]
2023 Celebration of Philanthropy Honors Martha Karstens
(Scroll down for event slideshow) Each year the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) presents the Distinguished Trustee Award to an individual or couple who has demonstrated philanthropic leadership in our region. The 2023 award was presented to retired Big Sur Fire Chief, Martha Karstens, for her decades of service to the Big Sur Community. The […]