Best of the County 2024 Readers’ Choice Philanthropy

Marin Magazine Best of the County 2024 Philanthropy

What’s your favorite cause? Whether supporting a non-profit through donation, volunteering, or taking individual action to help those in the community, Marin County has incredible opportunities to support the people, animals, and land we call home. Here are the 2024 Readers’ Choices for Philanthropy.

Our 2024 Philanthropy category sponsor is Skin Suite Marin.

Best Animal Care

Marin Humane, Novato

Marin Humane, Novato, Best Animal Care Marin
Photo Courtesy of the Marin Humane.

This independent nonprofit has been caring for and serving the animals of Marin County since 1907. All animals are accepted at their open door shelters and hundreds are adopted every year into loving homes. Between their volunteer foster parents and animal advocacy programs, they can go above and beyond for every furry friend that ends up in their arms.

Best Annual Gala

Lifehouse Agency: Great Chefs & Wineries

Group poses at Lifehouse Great Chefs and Wineries annual gala.
Photo by Drew Altizer.

Lifehouse’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community by providing a lifetime of compassionate support within an atmosphere of respect, inspiration and purpose. Their Great Chefs and Wineries event is, as promised, a night of the best of food and wine that can be found in the county. In the week leading up to the event, a virtual auction is held to raise money and awareness for the important work Lifehouse does.

Best Arts Nonprofit

MarinArts, San Rafael

MarinArts, San Rafael, Best Arts Nonprofit Marin
Photo Courtesy of MarinArts on Facebook.

This arts and culture organization is constantly throwing the next best party, from author events such as book readings to a night of opera at a local theater. Kids will also love their summer camps and classes.

Best Community Service

Marin Community Clinics, San Rafael

Marin Community Clinics, Larkspur, Greenbrae, San Rafael, Novato, Best Community Services Marin
Photo Courtesy of Marin Community Clinics

Marin Community Clinics has been providing healthcare to those without insurance or other means of affording large bills since 1972. Amongst their volunteers are highly trained physicians and nurses who are here to help with whatever you’re dealing with.

Best Disability Care

Lifehouse Agency, San Rafael

Lifehouse staff members with man in nature
Photo courtesy of Lifehouse Agency.

Lifehouse’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community, providing a lifetime of compassionate support within an atmosphere of respect, inspiration and purpose. Their resources and services include supported living services, housing advocacy, teen programs, a technology center and above all else, much needed support.

Best Educational Nonprofit

10,000 Degrees, San Rafael

Photo courtesy of 10,000 Degrees.

Many students who come from low-income households have a difficult time getting into college, oftentimes simply because of application fees. 10,000 Degrees provides equity-focused scholarships that support thousands of students across the Bay Area, and believes in every student each step of the way.

Best Elder Services

Vivalon, San Rafael

Vivalon, San Rafael, Best Elder Services Marin
Photo Courtesy of Vivalon on Facebook.

Between its historic Whistlestop program that provides rides for the elderly and disabled, and the Meals On Wheels food-delivery service, Vivalon has more than proven its commitment to putting active and healthy living first and foremost. They also have their popular Jackson Cafe, which offers affordable and accessible meals for all.

Best Environmental Nonprofit

Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Point Reyes Station

Marin Agricultural Land Trust hikers.
Photo courtesy of Marin Agricultural Land Trust on Facebook.

Farmland across the nation is being rapidly lost, but Marin Agricultural Land Trust is working to prevent that from happening here. This coalition of ranchers, farmers, and environmentalists has to date protected over 55,000 acres of Marin farmland and they have no intention of slowing down.

Best Family Services

Canal Alliance, San Rafael

Canal Alliance, San Rafael, Best Family Services Marin
Photo Courtesy of Canal Alliance.

Canal Alliance stands in support of immigrants in Marin. They provide assistance with getting citizenship, help first generation students graduate from college, teach English second language classes at all levels and learn job skills to secure a steady source of income for those trying to make a new life here.

Best Food Insecurity Nonprofit

San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, multiple locations

woman giving a speech holding a microphone standing in front of a giant tower of fresh produce.
Photo courtesy of San Francisco-Marin Food Bank on Facebook.

Every week, the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank provides groceries to over 53,000 households, with over a million meals distributed weekly. They’re more than aware that since the pandemic, the already high levels of food insecurity in the Bay Area has substantially increased, and they are dedicated to ending that hunger, one household at a time.

Best Fundraising Event

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Pennies From Heaven

St Vincent de Paul society
Photo courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Society.

St. Vincent de Paul has a mission to provide compassionate, individualized assistance to help their most vulnerable neighbors obtain nutritious food, affordable housing, meaningful employment, and a voice in the community. Their crisis assistance programs have grown to support over 8,000 people annually, including housing Marin’s chronically homeless and supporting those who are precariously housed.

Best Youth Services

Play Marin, Marin City

Play Marin kids holding tennis rackets.
Photo courtesy of Play Marin.

Every child needs more in their day than just school, and Play Marin is here to provide all kinds of enrichment for kids of all ages. Be that through their impressive sports program that runs through all season, their vibrant summer camps, or their movie trips and craft events, Play Marin helps hundreds of kids explore their passions, build social skills, and simply play.

Best of the County Philanthropy Sponsor

Skin Suite Marin


Thena Fotona Skin Suite

Skin Suite Marin is the premier natural beauty and wellness destination in Southern Marin. Thena Holmen, RN has specialized in Aesthetic Nursing for over three decade and is known in the county for her emphasis on natural-looking beauty.