In a Year That Tested Our Community, We Stepped Forward

2025 grantees

Over and over again, we say that our annual grants ceremony is our favorite event of the year.

This year, that felt especially true.

The room was full; full of nonprofit leaders, volunteers, donors, board members, and partners. Full of conversation. Full of gratitude. Full of relief.

Because 2025 wasn’t easy.

Federal funding instability created uncertainty.

Rising healthcare costs strained already tight budgets.

A pause in food funding left families without reliable solutions.

We saw the impact clearly. Grant requests increased by $85,000 over last year – a powerful reflection of how deeply our youth-serving agencies were feeling the strain.

And yet… They continued to serve.

They showed up for young people navigating housing instability, food insecurity, academic challenges, mental health needs, and barriers to opportunity. They adapted. They stretched. They persevered.

And our donors saw that.

Because of their generosity and the tireless fundraising efforts of our members and volunteers, Marin Charitable awarded a record $306,077 to 58 nonprofit organizations this year.

It is the largest grant distribution in our 65-year history.

That feels particularly meaningful in our anniversary year. Sixty-five years ago, 10 women came together with a simple belief: that when a community pools its resources, it can meet the moment.

This year, we did exactly that.

Our grants support youth ages 11–18 across Marin County, funding mental health counseling, educational programming, access to food and basic needs, mentorship, enrichment, and life-changing opportunities that alter trajectories.

2025 Grants Committee

But the ceremony isn’t just about numbers. It’s about connection.

It’s about watching nonprofit leaders who rarely get to pause and celebrate and sit together, and share stories. It's watching a grants committee member embrace a grantee director she worked closely with, smiles all around. It's the sound of 100 people applauding when we announce the record-breaking total.

It’s about being hosted in the facility of one of our grantees – literally being nourished by the community we support.

It's about holding two truths at once: Congratulations for what you've accomplished. And thank you for showing up when it mattered most.

In a year marked by uncertainty, what stood out most clearly was this:

Community is not a slogan. It is an action. In 2025, Marin showed up. And in 2026, we'll continue to show up, together.

If you want to be part of this amazing community of movers and shakers, join us by becoming a member.

Special thank you to our grantee speaker, Jonathan Levaggi, from Trips for Kids: "A grant from Marin Charitable tells us that we are seeing. Validates the work we are doing. And helps us keep our doors open."

Trips for Kids