Tri-Valley Community Foundation Makes it Easy to Do Good

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

People who care about their community frequently donate time or money to make life a little easier or more comfortable for those less fortunate than themselves. The Tri-Valley Community Foundation seeks to make that process easier, giving you "one-stop shopping" where you support can several charities of your choice in the Tri-Valley.

The Tri-Valley Community Foundation (formerly Tri-Valley Community Fund) is dedicated to raising and distributing charitable contributions to local human service, cultural, and educational organizations in the communities of Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, Sunol, San Ramon, Danville and Alamo. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and service providers to assess community needs, provide leadership in addressing those needs and serve as a prudent and accountable steward of charitable contributions. The Foundation is both a permanent endowment of charitable gifts and an active fund-raising organization dedicated to improving the human condition and enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves.

"We were founded because we were concerned that funds were being lost to large national fundraising organizations like the United Way, the Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society," says David Rice, president of the Tri-Valley Community Foundation. "While these organizations were raising funds from the Tri-Valley, none of those funds were working their way back here in the form of donations simply because there was no perceived need. They didn't know the Tri-Valley very well except that it was a source of funds."

The Tri-Valley Community Foundation was initially started to raise money for local charities and schools. Now, it is also involved in workplace campaigns supporting groups like the United Way and other national charities. Currently, the Foundation is dispersing in the area of $1 million a year. In addition, the Foundation provides technical assistance to other organizations that are attempting to create a board of directors, raise money, or develop programs. "We can provide free assistance programs to local non-profits who accept it from us," Rice says.

The Tri-Valley Community Foundation has received the support of many Hacienda community leaders pillars of the local community including CM Realty's Mark Sweeney (formerly of Callahan, Sweeney and O'Brien, the co-developer of Hacienda), and Callahan Property Company's Joe Callahan (another namesake of CSO and Hacienda forefather). Local charities supported include the Valley Community Health Center, Open Heart Kitchen, the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council, and many projects in the local schools.

Nowadays, the Tri-Valley Community Foundation reaches far beyond local charities. "Contributors can tell us who they want to support - and it doesn't have to a be local organization," Rice says. "We have donors who not only support local charities, but contribute to their Alma Mater back east or donate funds to be sent back home where there's a non-profit organization their parents support. They don't have to pick from a list. They can advise us where they want their money to go."

To find out more about making charitable contributions through Tri-Valley Community Foundation contact David Rice at (925) 734-9965. You can also visit the Foundation's website at www.tvcfund.org.

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