Expansions and transitions are coming to the West Marin Fund, the community foundation that has supported West Marin nonprofits since it was founded in 2010. Catherine Porter, the part-time executive director, has announced that she is resigning. Her replacement will work fulltime, allowing the fund to step up its donor base, grants and programs.
To appeal to more donors, the fund has also adopted a new mechanism for philanthropists: a donor-advised fund. Harriet Moss, the chair of the fund’s board, called the approach a “great first example” for the kinds of services the West Marin Fund hopes to offer in the coming years.
Corey Goodman, a biotech venture capitalist who owns a ranch in Marshall, said he was the guinea pig for the new method. He and his wife, Marcia Barinaga, will give a total of $200,000 in donor-advised funding to the foundation in 2017. Mr. Goodman said their list includes the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, the Inverness Garden Club’s Scholarship Committee, the Tomales Town Hall and other causes.
“I like the idea of going through [the West Marin Fund] and we want to set an example. The community foundation talks to you and sees what you’re interested in and it’s their job to turn you on to things in your community,” he said. “I don’t have the time to find good programs. At their best, community foundations are in touch with all organizations in the community.”
Ms. Moss said the fund is an especially helpful guide for the area’s philanthropically inclined second homeowners. “We really provide a focal point for people who want to benefit the community by giving money but don’t know where to contribute because they do not live in West Marin full-time,” she said. “We see it as one of our jobs to try and educate the part-time residents about the needs of the community.”
When it was founded, the West Marin Fund helped fill a void in nonprofit funding created by shifting priorities at the larger Marin Community Foundation and decreasing government support. Over the last four years, the fund has distributed a total of $475,000 in small grants to over 50 West Marin groups. It has also provided skill-building and networking workshops for nonprofit directors. Ms. Moss said these “ConFabs” are one of the fund’s biggest services, drawing crowds to the Dance Palace to explore topics such as fundraising and legacy gifts and board rules and responsibilities, to name a few recent events.
Ms. Porter said the events include a wine and cheese reception that encourages networking.
“I think these gatherings are uniquely useful,” she said. “Yes, we make grants, but we don’t have the resources of the Marin Community Foundation. Creating other opportunities for impact is what you do when you don’t have a lot of money.”
Thomas Peters, president of the Marin Community Foundation, said there’s a collegial and supportive relationship between the two funds.
“It comes to money,” he said. “Trying to raise and distribute U.S. dollars sounds very mundane and mechanical, but it’s the fuel for the trip.”
Ms. Moss said Ms. Porter helped take the West Marin Fund from a “good idea into being a thriving community foundation.”
“So much of where the West Marin Fund is at today is due to her vision and work,” Ms. Moss said. “We’ve gotten to a size where we need a full-time executive director and she can’t because of other commitments. All organizations go through this; we’re entering a new phase in terms of the programs we offer and grants we give.”
Ms. Porter, who had decades of experience with foundation philanthropy before joining the fund in 2012 as their first executive director, said she’s embracing the transition.
“I’m ready,” she said. “I’ve been here for five years. And I’m not able to make a commitment to work full-time. I do hospice volunteer work and I’m not willing to give it up.”