Vision, Mission & Values
Vision
A world where every choice begins with we; where every action sustains all; where every person acts now
We envision communities built on common cause and empathy — where people of all backgrounds work together to spark and sustain positive change. There is power in “we.”
Mission
Mobilizing the power of community and the resources of philanthropy to advance equity for people, places and the planet.
This recognizes the immense power that every community member can bring to achieving the vision by commanding us to mobilize people and resources. This takes smart strategies, but more importantly, it takes great relationships forged by trust and shared values. It also focuses MCF squarely on our goal of advancing equity through community. We want to ensure that everyone has equitable access to opportunities and experiences equitable outcomes regardless of race, gender, income or other factors.
Values
Our values seek to capture the ways in which we work toward our mission and vision. We aspire to live out these values in our relationships with members of the Marin community, donors, partners and each other.
Equity
The central focus of every action we take and interaction we have as an organization
Innovation
Is essential to how will grow as an organization that takes risks to develop bold new ideas, knowing that we will adapt as we learn
Impact
Our driving force, and we seek to create change with urgency and by seeking opportunities for leverage, partnership and power-building
Transparency
Is one way we will stay accountable to our community, recognizing we have the privilege of managing significant resources
Collaboration
Is how we work in solidarity, build trust and co-develop solutions with our community partners and donors
Joy
Is embedded in how we approach our work and relationships to maintain a positive and expansive mindset
Buck family history
Dr. and Mrs. Buck are not only responsible for the establishing the Marin Community Foundation, but their generosity and care for the County has resulted in more than $1 billion being directed toward those who face the greatest challenges.
MCF Innovation Timeline
(Now called CommunityFirst) to enable nonprofits' critical access to financing options, which they may not be able to access or afford through traditional commercial avenues
To enable donors to incorporate philanthropy into their estate planning
The first comprehensive report on giving and volunteering in the county
Enabling donors to make secure online grants, 24/7
Led the community foundation field by instituting a nondiscrimination policy for all grants, discretionary and advised
The first comprehensive analysis of the county’s characteristics and disparities
MCF’s customized philanthropic service for advisory firms
MCF’s modern alternative to a private foundation
Venture Impact Program: an initiative that enables impact investing via grantmaking
Established The Family Office of Philanthropy: a multidisciplinary team focused on serving the needs of Virtuoso clients
Commissioned The Book of Mom: featuring insights from a human-centered design research project of mothers living in poverty in Marin
A program that allows donors to add an increased level of intention to their philanthropy by using a racial or gender equity framework
(Now called CommunityFirst) to enable nonprofits' critical access to financing options, which they may not be able to access or afford through traditional commercial avenues
To enable donors to incorporate philanthropy into their estate planning
The first comprehensive report on giving and volunteering in the county
Enabling donors to make secure online grants, 24/7
Led the community foundation field by instituting a nondiscrimination policy for all grants, discretionary and advised
The first comprehensive analysis of the county’s characteristics and disparities
MCF’s customized philanthropic service for advisory firms
MCF’s modern alternative to a private foundation
Venture Impact Program: an initiative that enables impact investing via grantmaking
Established The Family Office of Philanthropy: a multidisciplinary team focused on serving the needs of Virtuoso clients
Commissioned The Book of Mom: featuring insights from a human-centered design research project of mothers living in poverty in Marin
A program that allows donors to add an increased level of intention to their philanthropy by using a racial or gender equity framework
DEI & nondiscrimination policies
In 2005, MCF led the community foundation field by instituting a nondiscrimination policy for all grants, discretionary and advised.
The fundamental values of equity and inclusiveness are inherently embedded within our mission. As such, an essential part of MCF’s due diligence process for grantmaking is to request that each potential grantee sign a copy of the MCF Nondiscrimination Policy. In this way, we and our donors can be assured that grants made on their behalf are in complete alignment with their and MCF’s bedrock values.
The policy reads as follows: "The Marin Community Foundation will not knowingly support organizations, projects and programs that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, economic status, disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by law. We therefore require that all grant applicants and recipients submit a signed nondiscrimination policy confirming compliance with the Foundation’s policy and with all applicable local, state and federal anti-discrimination laws.”
This policy reflects the Foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and to ensuring we fully translate that commitment into action. Any acts that an organization makes that MCF deems as discriminatory will result in a request to return funds.
