Do you think you’re a Marin County expert? Take this pop quiz to see what you know:
Marin County…
is one of the wealthiest counties in America per capita.
reports almost 9% of residents living in poverty.
offers a thriving arts community and luxury homes.
has almost 10,000 kids under 18 who are food insecure.
it's all of the above.
Marin schools are…
consistently ranked the top in the country.
unequally funded by district.
attended by over 5,000 English Language Learners less than 10% of whom achieve fluency each year.
delivering just 46% of students who meet grade-level math standards and 56% for reading.
it's all of the above.
Marin residents…
enjoy a high quality of life, with many outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and boating.
are the third most racially disparate county in California.
include an average of 85 kids in foster care.
has over 1,000 homeless youth.
yes – you guessed it, all of the above
Do you see the theme? Marin County is more complex than it may seem on the surface, and our youth are often most at risk.
One more question: Is anyone helping?
Marin residents are the 5th most charitable in the country.
There are about 1,730 socially focused nonprofit organizations in Marin County, one of the highest per capita rates in the state.
Multiple agencies in Marin focus on helping our youth thrive in the face of adversity.
Marin Charitable has been raising funds for over 60 years to support underserved kids across the county.
Happily yes, all of the above!
Inspired to help? Join us!
In February 2025 Marin Charitable held the annual Grants Ceremony where over $256,725 was distributed to 52 nonprofit organizations. This is the largest grantmaking cycle Marin Charitable has had in its 63-year history!
(You can find the list of our 2024 Grant recipients here.)
The agencies that received grants support thousands of youth in Marin County through programs that provide food, shelter, mentoring, education, therapy, and enriched exposure to the arts, the environment, nutrition, and health among many other things. It was remarkable to be in a room with so many leaders who dedicate their careers to helping our kids thrive in this county.
While some of the programs we support have been around for decades, Marin Charitable grants frequently enable nascent programs and newly established nonprofits as they work to identify and meet the changing climate of need.
This year alone we welcomed four new nonprofit agencies to our roster:
Camp Canal in Venitia Valley is a new summer camp that employs 7th and 8th grade tutors for 4th and 5th graders, learning how to make math and reading fun as they receive valuable mentorship and work experience.
A grant to Dipsea Kids will provide running shoes, race attire, and entry fees to over 100 4th-8th graders in low-income areas as they train for their first 5K race. The kids will learn lifelong physical fitness, nutrition, and goal-setting lessons along the way.
Bread and Roses is piloting the “More Music for Marin Youth Project” which will bring live music to over 4,000 local kids including those with emotional and behavioral challenges.
50 teenagers with hearing and visual impairment will get to experience outdoor adventure and leadership development through sea kayaking, backpacking, and rafting programs provided by Environmental Traveling Companions.
Photo creds: Elm, Environmental Traveling Companions, and Bread & Roses
During the Grants Ceremony, Libby Porzig, Executive Director of Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, shared the remarkable progress that kids with disabilities can experience through their interactions with horses. She highlighted the physical benefits of riding, but also the dramatic growth in cognitive functioning and confidence she sees in the kids.
Giant Steps espouses what they call the “dignity of risk,” the idea that reasonable risk supports self-determination and autonomy. This concept resonates across the entire landscape of programming for our youth. Helping young people feel safe enough to stretch their abilities, to navigate their challenges, to reach and learn and grow is a critical part of the path to becoming healthy thriving adults. Marin Charitable funds countless organizations and individuals who are safely enabling our youth to do just that.
Photo creds: Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center
The challenges facing the youth of Marin are multifaceted and can only be addressed with a complex network of solutions. Thanks to many dedicated agencies, increasingly our youth do have a safety net. The bar is high, and so is the need. Please help us meet it!
By becoming a Marin Charitable member, you’re not just supporting a cause—you’re joining a community of people who are passionate about making a difference. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to attend our events, connect with like-minded individuals, and directly contribute to creating lasting change. Your membership also helps fund the vital programs and agencies supporting our youth. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more resilient community.
Here’s how you can help:
Become a Member: Join our vibrant community and support the youth of Marin.
Attend Our Events: Participate in upcoming events to connect, learn, and make a direct impact. Our Spring Fling is happening on April 15.
Donate: Every dollar makes a difference in the lives of Marin's youth. Your generosity helps fund essential programs.
Join us today, and be part of something meaningful.
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