Placer Community Foundation Honors Donors for Giving Back

Placer Community Foundation (PCF) honored nearly 200 of its donors at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed in Loomis this week. Guests learned about the many ways their philanthropy impacted Placer County in 2014 and were the first to view a two-minute video showing the impact of PCF’s Community Needs Fund on Placer County today.

Todd Jensen, a member of PCF’s Board of Directors began the evening by announcing that in 2014, 74 charitable funds managed by the Community Foundation distributed $660,000 in grants. He went on to honor retiring PCF Board members Justice Keith Sparks and Kelly Richardson, whose forward-thinking initiative helped to create Placer Community Foundation and grow it to over $12 million in charitable funds, 22% of which are unrestricted.

Attendees then heard from PCF’s Chairman of the Board, Pam Constantino, who spoke of the decision she and her husband made to support PCF’s unrestricted Community Needs Fund. By supporting this fund, Pam said, “I know we made a difference in our community that we could not have made by ourselves.” She continued, “We have confidence in the staff and Board at Placer Community Foundation to determine the community’s greatest needs and to meet those needs.”

Attendees also heard from Jose Luis — a participant in ReDirect Camino Nuevo’s programs to support at-risk youth in Placer County — who spoke emotionally about the impact ReDirect has made on his life. ReDirect was a 2014 Youth Development grantee, funded through PCF’s Giving Circle. 

“I was being bullied, so I joined a gang because I thought that would help,” Luis said. “I was getting in trouble at school and with my family until I joined ReDirect. It changed the way I look at the world. I want to go to college, major in psychology, and help other teens because being a teen can be the hardest part of life.”

Attendees were also treated to a dance performance by three middle and high school girls from Lincoln. They took part in ReDirect’s programs, and because of a grant from PCF are connecting to their cultural heritage and empowering themselves through Aztec drum and dance.

Finally, donors enjoyed a delicious, locally prepared meal by Chef Laura Kenny, author of, “Placer County Real Food” and “The Art of Real Food.” The event was sponsored by SAFE Credit Union, Justice Keith and Mary Sparks, and Carpe Vino.

About Placer Community Foundation
Placer Community Foundation (PCF) grows local giving to strengthen our community by connecting donors who care with causes that matter. Known for sound financial management and knowledge of the nonprofit sector, the Community Foundation continually monitors the region to better understand the nature of local needs, so that it can invest in areas such as arts and culture, education, health and human services, and the environment. The Community Foundation provides regular trainings and technical assistance for the many local nonprofits that are experiencing growing public demand for programs and services. To learn more about establishing charitable funds, visit placercf.org or call 530-885-4920.