Community Fund Celebrates its Partners in the Community

The Fund has provided more than $20 million in grants since 2000.

The Yocha Dehe Community Fund recognized and honored the collective achievements of its 2012 grant recipients today during its 5th Annual Partners in Philanthropy Luncheon. The event marked the Community Fund’s 13th year supporting nonprofit organizations in Northern California and across the country.

In 2012, the Community Fund awarded more than $3 million dollars in grants to 96 organizations working in areas including the arts, health care, environment, community development, and Native language revitalization.

During the luncheon, Partnership Awards recognizing ongoing excellence in service were presented to the Yolo Family Service Agency, which provides therapeutic counseling for youth and their families, and to YoloArts, for its continuous commitment and dedication to the advancement of arts education in public schools. And this year’s recipient of the Tahtimihn Award, which means “star” in the Tribe’s native Patwin language, was presented to the Food Bank of Yolo County for its dedication to alleviating hunger and malnutrition in Yolo County.

The keynote speaker was publisher Malcolm Margolin of Berkeley, CA, the second person in the United States to be awarded the Chairman’s Commendation from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is committed to working together as neighbors and partners,” said Marshall McKay, Yocha Dehe Tribal Chairman. “ Our Tribe’s history of struggle for self determination and our core values of giving and serving others inspire us to support our communities through leadership and engaged philanthropy. Supporting healthy community is a central component of the Yocha Dehe mission and we are honored to stand with you and celebrate the great work you do.”

The Yocha Dehe Community Fund is governed by a Board of Directors, made up of tribal members and supported by government staff. Consistent with its vision, the Board strives to develop strategic partnerships that will result in lasting community impacts.