Community Foundation Update (06/21/2025) | Philanthropy news

Alabama 

The Central Alabama Community Foundation has announced that its East Alabama Community Foundation awarded grants totaling more than $30,000 in support of area nonprofits. Recipients include the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, O Grows, Esperanza House, and Mercy Medical. 

California 

The San Diego Foundation has announced that its Carlsbad Charitable Foundation affiliate awarded $80,000 to six area nonprofits working to promote the health and well-being of children and families in Carlsbad—with a focus on areas such as self-sufficiency, childcare, mental health, food and home insecurity, healthy lifestyles, and domestic violence prevention. The recipients include Foundation for Women Warriors, Kids’ Turn San Diego, Olive Crest, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. 

The Orange County Community Foundation has announced that its African American Alliance Fund (AAAF) awarded $150,000 to 21 organizations in recognition of Juneteenth 2025. Recipients include the Black Girls Mental Health Foundation, Crop Swap LA, Ladies of Virtue, and Nehemiah ProjectLA. Since 2020, AAAF has awarded grants totaling more than $1 million. 

Maine 

The Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) has announced a partnership with Maine Venture Fund (MVF), which will fund innovative local startup businesses and help spur economic opportunity across the state. MaineCF has committed to investing up to 2 percent of its investment portfolio in ways that meet its mission. MaineCF’s investment will support entrepreneurs and businesses by leveraging MVF’s unique positioning as a venture fund 100 percent dedicated to Maine-based businesses. 

Michigan 

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation have announced grants totaling more than $1 million to 42 organizations through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds. The endowed funds, which CFSEM manages, focus on regional caregiving, design and access to public spaces, youth sports, and the Grosse Pointe communities. Recipients include Dementia Friendly Saline, Eden Gardens Community Association, Detroit United Lacrosse Association, and Grosse Pointe Theatre. 

Minnesota 

The Mardag Foundation, which is supported by staff of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, has awarded its first round of 2025 grants, totaling nearly $1.5 million. In addition, it announced that it is engaged in a community-informed process to redesign the application-based grant program it conducts in partnership with the Saint Paul & Minnesota and F.R. Bigelow foundations. 

New Hampshire 

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF) has announced that NH Gives raised more than $3.4 million for nearly 650 New Hampshire nonprofits earlier this month. The 24-hour online day of giving has raised more than $22 million since its launch in 2016. This year, NHCF, a longtime partner in the effort, contributed $30,000 in incentive prizes to reward organizations that mobilized the most online donors. 

New Mexico 

The Santa Fe Community Foundation has announced the inaugural round of grantmaking from its Empower! Black Futures Community Fund. Grants totaling $37,500 will support six organizations uplifting Black life, arts, and culture in New Mexico. Recipients include Many Mothers, Santa Fe Soul Festival, Juneteenth Renaissance Institute, and the New Mexico Black Leadership Council. 

North Carolina 

The Gaston Community Foundation has announced that Ernest Sumner is retiring at the end of June after 15 years as CEO. He will be succeeded by Richard Rankin, who led Gaston Day School for two decades and served as board president of the foundation between 2013 and 2015. In addition, the foundation has promoted Elizabeth Patton to executive vice president. 

Rhode Island 

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced $440,000 in seed funding for 18 promising medical research projects. The work ranges from reducing the incidence and severity of cervical cancer to testing strategies that will lessen developmental delays in premature babies. Recipients include the Women and Infants Hospital, Providence College, Miriam Hospital, and the University of Rhode Island. With this round of grants, the foundation has awarded more than $6.1 million since 1997. 

Texas 

The San Antonio Area Foundation has announced the appointment of Sarah Silver Manzke as its chief marketing officer, effective August 5. Most recently, she served as chief growth officer at Blue Skies of Texas, a living community for older adults, where she led fundraising through its philanthropic arm, the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation. 

Wisconsin 

The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation (OACF) has announced that 305 students from across the region have been awarded scholarships totaling nearly $1 million in support of their post-secondary education and career training goals. OACF currently stewards more than 250 scholarship funds, established by individuals, families, organizations, and businesses. 

The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region in Appleton has announced that its Monthlies Project has distributed one million period products across northeast Wisconsin since the organization was established in 2021. The foundation’s Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region manages procurement, storage, and distribution of the products. 

West Virginia 

The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) has announced the 63 recipients of its Spring 2025 Community Action Grant Program. Grants totaling nearly $500,000 were awarded to organizations in PACF’s 11-county service area, including Horizons Center for Independent Living, Nazareth Farm, North Bend Rails-to-Trails Foundation, and First Assembly of God.