We asked our local nonprofits how they could benefit from contributions during the holiday season, and here’s what they had to say on how donations ranging from $50 to $10,000 would enable them to help others.
Now it’s your turn. Take a look at our list to see how you can help spread hope and goodwill this season by making a contribution to one or a few of these incredible organizations fighting against homelessness.
Your support funds outreach, shelter, mental‑health care and job training that help neighbors experiencing homelessness find stability.
Community Action Marin
Community Action Marin is a nonprofit building an anti-poverty movement in the county.
Photo courtesy of Community Action Marin
$50
Provides a one-on-one financial coaching session for an older adult.
$100
Provides a childcare center with books for a classroom library.
$250
Ensures the unhoused community has tarps, tents, warm clothing, rain gear and access to shelter for emergencies and medical needs.
$500
Helps a preschooler with special needs get support from a trained early education teacher.
$1,000
Enables CARE mobile teams to provide enhanced case management and warm referrals to unhoused people across Marin County.
$2,500
Helps a family in Marin remain housed through rental or utility assistance.
$5,000
Funds a full year of wraparound support for a family in Marin.
Homeward Bound of Marin
Homeward Bound of Marin is the county’s main provider of shelter and supportive housing for unhoused families and adults. It also houses Fresh Starts Culinary Academy, which offers 11 weeks of culinary employment training.
Photo courtesy of Paige Green
$100
Provides new sheets and blankets for a homeless family moving into housing.
$250
Funds a holiday dinner for formerly homeless seniors in supportive housing.
$500
Sponsors a child overcoming homelessness to join an extracurricular activity.
$1,000
Covers a year of financial literacy and career coaching for a family.
$2,500
Provides summer camp scholarships for homeless children.
$5,000
Funds 11 weeks of job training at Fresh Starts Culinary Academy, including uniform, exam fees and job placement services.
$10,000
Supports upgrades to Marin’s largest adult shelter, which has served the community for 25 years.
Ritter Center
Ritter Center is a Marin County-based nonprofit health and human services organization dedicated to preventing and resolving homelessness and improving overall wellness. With an integrated model that includes primary medical care, behavioral health, case management, food and nutrition support and housing assistance, Ritter Center serves more than 5,000 low-income and unhoused individuals and families each year. Its holistic approach strengthens health, housing stability and dignity for those most in need.
Photo courtesy of Ritter Center
$50
Provides two families with complete holiday meals, including pantry staples and fresh produce.
$100
Sponsors a gift card for a family in need to purchase holiday gifts or essential household supplies.
$250
Provides multiple families with nutritious holiday meals and small gifts to brighten the season.
$500
Stocks our holiday pantry with fresh produce, dairy and proteins to serve dozens of families throughout the season.
$1,000
Delivers festive meals and winter care packages—coats, hats and hygiene items—to 20 families.
$2,500
Supports a large holiday gathering and distributes meals and gifts to multiple families in need.
$5,000
Expands holiday pantry capacity with extra fresh food deliveries and special seasonal items, reaching hundreds of neighbors during peak demand.
$10,000
Underwrites the holiday meal for the unsheltered, providing a hot sit-down dinner and festive gathering for up to 200 individuals.
Welcoming Home
Welcoming Home helps individuals and families who are transitioning out of homelessness and poverty by fully furnishing and equipping their homes while engaging the local community in donating gently-used furniture and keeping good furniture out of landfills. We do it with no charge to the residents or referring social service agency.
Photo courtesy of Welcoming Home on Facebook
$50
Two new sets of twin sheets for a family exiting homelessness.
$100
Blankets for a family exiting homelessness.
$250
Kitchen essentials for a family exiting homelessness.
$500
Pick up/delivery of sofas for three families exiting homelessness.
$1,000
Brand new beds for a mother and child exiting homelessness.
$2,500
“Starter kit” – new linens and towels, basic kitchen items, etc. for three families exiting homelessness.
$5,000
Fully furnishing an apartment for a family of five exiting homelessness.
$10,000
Moving costs for seven to eight families exiting homelessness.
