It’s the season for giving and there’s no more valuable way to give than to help out the organizations making a difference in our community. Here we’ve highlighted a few of our valuable partners that help make Marin such a great place to live.
If you’re looking for ways that you can make give back yourself, check out our guide to giving, find it here.
Bank of Marin
“Do well by doing good” is the mission that guides the way Bank of Marin does business. From being a trustworthy and reliable financial services institution, to being community stewards, the Bank and its employees live true to the organization’s mission.
The Bank donates at least 1% of pre-tax profit annually to eligible organizations. Through its 2024 Charitable Grants Program, Bank of Marin donated more than $627,000 to 137 schools and nonprofits.
“We have an inherent belief that we are only as strong as the communities we serve and are fully committed to being part of the efforts that strengthen the cities in our footprint and the lives of our neighbors,” said Tim Myers, president and CEO, Bank of Marin.
“Side by Side is deeply grateful for Bank of Marin’s unwavering support. From having CEO Tim Myers serve on our Board to its sponsorship of our annual golf tournament, its commitment has been instrumental in empowering youth. Together, we are building a brighter future for our community.” – Christine Garcia, PsyD, CEO, Side by Side.
Nice Guys Around Marin
Nice Guys Delivery is beyond thankful to have served our local community here in Marin for the last 8 years. We’ve been able to support a number of Local Non-Profits and causes that we deeply care about. We most recently teamed up with Zero Breast Cancer as we hiked the Dipsea trail and helped raise over $100,000 for Breast Cancer Research in late September. Another organization dear to our hearts is Marin’s Center for Domestic Peace(C4DP), for whom our Founder, Monica Gray, sits on the Board of Directors. C4DP’s comprehensive community effort to end domestic violence in Marin County has played a pivotal role in keeping our community safe. Our longest partnership has been with The Pacific Pediatric Neuro-oncology Consortium Foundation (PNOC). The PNOC Foundation is determined to improve outcomes for children with brain cancer. “Raising more funds for more research means we can help in the fight for more innovative therapy. That’s what this is all about at the end of the day. Helping as many children as we can.” — Monica Gray, COO Nice Guys Delivery
415.855.5914, Marin County
More Partners in Giving
10,000 Degrees
COLLEGE GRADUATES WHO CHANGE THE WORLD
“The impact of 10,000 Degrees in my life cannot be overstated. This program has been instrumental in providing me with invaluable support, guidance, and resources that have helped shape my educational journey.” – Joselin, 10,000 Degrees Alum
10,000 Degrees is unlocking student success at scale by giving more students equitable opportunities for a quality college education and career success. Through our proven experience working with more than 60,000 students and awarding more than $105 million in scholarships over the past 43 years, we are helping to break the cycle of generational poverty and create a positive ripple effect in the lives of our students and their communities for generations to come.
Our students are:
- 100% from low-income backgrounds
- 93% BIPOC
- 92% first-generation college students
The results: 80% graduate—double the national average; 10% take out loans
vs. 69% nationally; $8.8M in 10,000 Degrees scholarships awarded this year
and $58M in free financial aid leveraged.
Join our movement and become ONE DEGREE of Change! Help make college
possible for Marin and Bay Area students from low-income backgrounds:
10000degrees.org/maringives2024
1401 Los Gamos Drive, Ste 205, San Rafael
415.451.4016
Breathrough T1D
Breakthrough T1D SAN FRANCISCO HOPE GALA MASQUERADE
Unmask a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).
The Breakthrough T1D San Francisco Hope Gala will celebrate its 26th year on March 8, 2025, bringing the T1D community together for an unforgettable night with a festive masquerade theme at the iconic San Francisco City Hall.
This signature event, benefiting Breakthrough T1D’s mission and research, attracts social and business leaders from across Northern California. Join Breakthrough T1D for a cocktail soiree, a gourmet dinner, an extraordinary live auction, an inspirational Fund A Cure program, and dancing to the premier party band – Hip Service!
Breakthrough T1D’s mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent, and, ultimately, cure T1D and its complications. As the leading global T1D research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D invests in the most promising research and works with government, regulatory officials, and insurance companies to address issues that impact the T1D community — breaking through barriers that limit access to care worldwide.
415.597.6305, [email protected]
By the Bay Health
In 2025, By the Bay Health will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Marin County. By the Bay Health, formerly known as Hospice By The Bay, was the first nonprofit hospice to open in Marin County, and the second hospice to open in the United States. In honor of the 50th anniversary, By the Bay Health is launching a groundbreaking initiative: Pathways to Care Careers – an innovate public and academic partnership to raise one million dollars in essential funds to create a thriving workforce of healthcare professionals to support our rapidly aging and diverse community in Marin, and the greater Bay Area.
In six years, more than 9 million Californians will be over the age of 65. Marin County currently ranks 13th in the state for the largest population of adults over 65 years or 22.3% of the population. With healthcare workers already in short supply and record levels of clinicians and caregivers leaving healthcare following the pandemic, ensuring quality, compassionate care for all is paramount. By the Bay Health, the largest independent nonprofit palliative care, hospice care, and home health provider in Northern California, is working to ensure that everyone has equitable access to high quality, compassionate care at home when its needed most. Marin, SF, San Mateo, Sonoma, Napa, Solano
“Local community support makes it possible for us to ensure that equitable, quality care is available to anyone, regardless of the ability to pay,” says Skelly Wingard, CEO of By the Bay Health. “We hope you’ll join us in developing the next-generation of healthcare workers that will support you, and your families, for years to come.”
To donate, visit here.
415.927.2273
Center for Domestic Peace
No matter who you are, where you live, or how wealthy you are to live free from domestic violence. It’s a basic human right… What does FREEDOM mean to you? For some, it’s described as independence. The freedom to take care of yourself, freedom to make the best choices for yourself and family, freedom to have access to and control of your finances.
Here in Marin, where domestic violence doesn’t discriminate based on zip code, many struggle to find freedom from domestic violence. Center for Domestic Peace (C4DP) stands as a beacon of hope, offering comprehensive support to thousands seeking refuge from fear and violence and a place of transformation for those seeking to end their harmful behavior.
C4DP’s compassionate advocates are available 24/7, 365 days a year to assist with safety planning, information, resources, referrals and emergency shelter if needed.
Individual therapy is provided by trained/licensed clinical staff, offered on a sliding scale, and our online empowerment support group offers a confidential safe place to meet others and heal together.
Therapy is also available to help individuals, and non-abusing parents and their children to heal, and abusive partners can find support to unlearn their violent behavior.
Everyone deserves to live free from domestic violence and the need for our services has never been more critical. Together, we are working to end the #1 violent crime in Marin County.
734 A Street, San Rafael, 415.924.6616
Community Action Marin
THE HEART OF MARIN. Helping People. Changing Lives. Since 1966. DONATE
Community Action Marin is an anti-poverty movement building agency and the largest social services nonprofit in Marin County with over 225 staff and a $32M budget. Dedicated to alleviating the causes and consequences of poverty, we partner with people to support wellbeing, dignity, and hope. With racial and economic justice as key drivers toward a vision of equity, we employ a Whole Family Approach:
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Free and affordable high-quality early childhood education, with services for over 500 children and families.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE: Workforce development, job training, financial counseling, and career support to foster long-term self-sufficiency and sustainability.
FOOD AND CLIMATE JUSTICE: Production farm, Central Kitchen, and efforts that foster partnerships and lift voices from communities of low income and of color disproportionately impacted by climate change.
HOUSING JUSTICE: Outreach, care management, rental assistance, and resources for adults and transitional age youth experiencing housing instability. Join us! Help build lasting change for Marin County.
555 Northgate Dr, San Rafael, 415.526.7500
Extrafood
Why would we ever waste perfectly good food when so many people are facing hunger?
ExtraFood’s mission is to end hunger and prevent wasted food in the Bay Area through their innovative food recovery programs, including food rescue, meal-making and gleaning. 35% of all food is wasted and food waste is a massive contributor to global warming.
Yet 1 in 5 people in Marin and 1 in 4 people in San Francisco worry about where their next meal will come from. That’s where ExtraFood comes in – they fill the gap between those who have food and those who need it.
ExtraFood rescues excess fresh food from any business, school, hospital, farm or backyard and immediately delivers it to their nonprofit partners serving our community’s most vulnerable people. ExtraFood prevents perfectly good food from going to waste, which not only feeds our community, but also fights the massive effect that food waste has on our environment.
This holiday season, join ExtraFood in the fight against hunger. Your donation will help them continue to recover fresh food, reduce food waste, and nourish our community.
907 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Kentfield, @extrafooddotorg, 415.997.9830
Gilead House
Celebrating 25 Years of Empowerment: Gilead House in Novato, California
In the heart of Novato, California, Gilead House stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. For 25 years, this organization has been dedicated to helping unhoused mothers and children rebuild their lives. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we reflect on the profound impact Gilead House has had on countless families, offering not just shelter but a pathway to a brighter future.
Gilead House was founded to provide a haven for mothers and their children who have faced harsh realities of homelessness, abuse, and instability. Over the past quarter-century, it has evolved into more than a shelter; it is a community where women find the compassion, support, and resources they need to heal and thrive.
There are many ways you can help: Financial contributions are always needed to support our programs and services. Additionally, Your time and skills can make a difference. Whether mentoring, tutoring, or helping with events, there are many ways to get involved.
You can also raise awareness about Gilead House’s mission by sharing their story with your network and participate in fundraising events and activities to show your support. The past 25 years is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together. Here’s to 25 more!
1024 7th Street, Novato, 415.895.5575
Marin Casa
Marin Court Appointed Special Advocates Would you help transform a foster child’s future in Marin? Imagine a child who has faced the heartache of neglect or abuse — what difference could just one caring adult make in their life? For over 100 foster children each year, that difference is a CASA volunteer.
Marin CASA’s specially trained advocates are community members who provide stable, one-on-one support for foster children, building trust, offering guidance, and helping them feel seen. With unique access to Marin County’s court system, our CASAs ensure each child’s needs are met, opening doors for healing and growth.
You can be a part of this life-changing work. Your donation to Marin CASA helps empower Marin’s foster children, nurturing brighter futures. Thank you for your support.
1401 Los Gamos Drive, Ste. 130, San Rafael, 415.785.3862 • EIN: 81-5047208
Marin Community Clinics
Help Us Bring Smiles to Those in Need!
California is making strides to provide comprehensive dental benefits to adults enrolled in Medi-Cal, yet the reality remains stark: many dentists still don’t accept Medi-Cal, leaving countless individuals without access to essential care.
Marin Community Clinics oral health services stand as a vital safety net, serving Medicaid, Medi-Cal and uninsured patients. We believe everyone deserves a healthy smile.
Did you know that four in 10 U.S. adults have faced tooth loss? This can severely impact their quality of life, making it difficult to eat, speak and smile. With costs for dental implants soaring between $3,000 and $8,000, many of our patients are left without options.
Your support can change this. Every dollar you contribute helps us offer critical dental services to those who need them most. Together, we can ensure that every person has the opportunity to reclaim their health and confidence.
Join us in making a difference. Donate today and help us bring smiles back to our community!
P.O. Box 5008, Novato
Marin Foster Care
Our community relies on foster families to open their homes and bring stability and hope to Marin’s most vulnerable children. Marin Foster Care Association (MFCA) delivers critical resources that foster youth and their caregivers need to heal and thrive.
How will your support benefit MFCA? 35% of Marin foster kids are placed outside of Marin due to the lack of foster families here – your support helps boost awareness of the need for local foster parents so kids can stay in their community and at their school.
MFCA focuses on building community among foster caregivers. With your support, they can deliver events, trainings, and therapeutic resources that strengthen foster families so they may continue serving in this critical role.
MFCA supports foster families through their Community Resource Center, which carries everything that a child needs to settle into a new home. They use Opportunity Project grants to fund educational and recreational activities that give foster youth opportunities to learn, explore, and grow. MFCA directs attention to the needs of transitionage youth by providing resources and housing for those aging out of foster care.
With your support, MFCA is creating solutions to the challenges facing our community’s most at-risk youth.
55 Mitchell Blvd, Suite 2, San Rafael, 415.507.0557
North Bay Children’s Center
As one of Marin’s top childcare and education nonprofits for 36 years, we’re excited our expansion project is almost here! The new Bright Futures Campus in Novato is scheduled to open in spring 2025 — doubling in capacity to welcome 176 children and families — beginning with babies as young as six weeks old.
North Bay Children’s Center has developed a state-of-the-art child development campus that will include more classrooms, and a cuttingedge training center dedicated to enhancing professional development and educational excellence for educators from around the country. Integrated in the expansion is the launch of the Garden of Eatin’® Learning Lab, a place where children will learn to build their ‘green muscle memory’ from composting and recycling to growing and eating fresh food from the gardens at all 14 centers from Marin to Sonoma County.
Once the doors open, the campus will be a national benchmark for childcare, teacher training and environmental education. Join us as we pave the way to a brighter future for our community’s children!
For more information, or to get involved, please visit us at nbcc.net.
932 C Street, Novato, 415.883.6222
North Marin Community Services
Healthy food on the table. High-quality childcare that keeps kids safe and engaged while parents work. Financial and rental assistance helping families stay in their homes when unexpected expenses turn into crises. Therapy supporting a teen’s mental health. Bilingual outreach for community disaster preparedness.
These are just a few ways your donation to North Marin Community Services makes an immediate, life-changing impact in Marin.
Rooted in the community for over 50 years, North Marin Community Services provides essential resources, educational opportunities, and economic support to individuals and families in need. With the high cost of living, more than a third of Marin households are struggling to make ends meet. Through interconnected programs, North Marin Community Services works to break cycles of poverty and inequality, creating pathways to stability and growth. This holiday season, join North Marin Community Services in working to ensure everyone in our community can meet their basic needs and has opportunities to thrive. Your gift today will help create brighter futures for youth, strengthen families, and provide a safety net for our most vulnerable neighbors.
“At NMCS, I am treated with dignity and respect. My heart is full of hope and gratitude for NMCS.” –Program Participant
680 Wilson Avenue, Novato, 415.892.1643
Postpartum Support
A Lifeline for New Parents and Families Every month, the Postpartum Support Center (PPSC) serves over 500 families — including 900 parents and more than 600 children — who rely on essential support. PPSC has become a lifeline for new parents navigating the challenges of early parenthood, offering everything from mental health support to vital supplies like diapers, wipes, and baby clothes. For families facing financial or emotional hardships, these resources are transformative.
Our mission extends beyond immediate needs. By providing peer counseling, perinatal education, and compassionate care, PPSC helps to prevent postpartum depression and other maternal mental health complications. Our compassionate team works tirelessly to reduce the stress and isolation that so many mothers feel, helping to create a stable, nurturing environment for babies and families alike. This support not only uplifts parents but also prevents developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems in children.
However, with demand for our services growing rapidly, we need your help to continue this important work. This Giving Season, we invite you to make a lasting impact by donating to PPSC. Every dollar you give helps us provide vital resources and support to those who need it most, ensuring every family has the foundation to thrive. For far too many families inequity starts at birth. Help us change that! Your support makes all the difference.
4162 Redwood Highway, San Rafael, 415.320.6707
Ritter Center
BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE, ONE LIFE AT A TIME
Meet Kellie Walker, who welcomes over 375 neighbors each week at Ritter Center’s Client Choice Food Pantry. Each visitor leaves not only with fresh produce and groceries but with renewed hope and access to healthcare, housing support, and the care they need to rebuild their lives. For 44 years, Ritter Center has been a place of refuge, turning no one away. Our doctors, counselors, and social workers provide life-changing care to more than 2,000 people annually—always with dignity and respect. Though homelessness is declining in Marin, the need for our services is rising.
Our dream of expanding to 800 A Street in San Rafael is within reach. With this new facility, we will double the size of Kellie’s pantry to serve even more neighbors in need. With $9.1 million secured toward our $14.5 million goal, every $3 you donate unlocks $1 more — up to $250,000, thanks to a generous challenge grant. Together, we can fill more bags, nourish more lives, and build a brighter future.
16 Ritter Street, San Rafael 415.847.5530
Vivalon
Vivalon is dedicated to supporting Marin County’s older adults and individuals with disabilities. With adults aged 60+ comprising 30% of the population and expected to reach nearly 40% in the next decade, our mission is to help all adults age with dignity, independence and grace through the power of human connection.
For 70 years, Vivalon has grown from grassroots beginnings into a cornerstone of community support, offering critical services to thousands each year. We tackle pressing issues like mobility limitations, food insecurity, and social isolation through a variety of impactful programs — from providing access to nutritious meals and fostering social connections to offering safe, reliable, and affordable transportation as well as classes and activities at our new Healthy Aging Campus in downtown San Rafael.
Our unique campus, envisioned over a decade ago, integrates affordable housing, healthy aging services, and an on-site medical clinic designed to meet the evolving needs of our elder community, welcoming all older adults in Marin County.
As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community to sustain these vital services. Every donation helps improve lives, fostering a sense of connection and care for Marin’s aging population.
999 Third Street, San Rafael, 415.456.9062
