5 survey respondents
Location: 5 Hamilton Landing Ste 200, Novato, 94949 CA
EIN: 94-3007979
67%
33%
10 hours
Median
40%
60%
70%
30%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Reviewer 5986 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2022
The other review that pointed out their focus on fancy offices and appealing to donors and not community is spot on. Good luck navigating power dynamics unless you have an in. Try San Francisco Foundation instead.
California
Applied and not funded
Other
2022
Bad
Bad
Listen to your community. Please do better on your equity work to uplift nonprofits led by people of color, especially black women.
They offer meeting spaces for free.
0
Professional in the field
They have many funds that are not application based funds and harder to access unless you can network your way in through a philanthropic advisor or donor partner. The main application-based source of funds is via the Buck Trust.
Positive leader in the field, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
California
Professional in the field
2018
Average
They do not have an open application process for a lot of their funds and that makes the money less accessible.
Good
MCF is definitely funding a lot of groups in the community and is a go-to funder.
I would hope they could figure out how to be more creative and innovative in how they make grants. They are a very traditional funder and do a great job in that capacity, but I'm not sure if they are really taking many risks.
They have some of the best, most competent customer service for their donors. They keep their fees low and provide amazing, professional and very customized support to their donors.
0
Reviewer 632 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
A very interactive foundation. Take advantage of this to tell them how you feel they can best help your organization. Then listen closely to their response and act on it. Learn the online system and use it - have no fear, ask questions - they are very supportive. Expect field visits, attend face-to-face opportunities at their shop.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Overcome any fear of asking for clarification and/or help - they are very supportive.
Good
Kudos for making online system responsive, providing technical support and streamlining grant making and reporting process.
Sometimes significant and basic support is what community and grantee need most.
High quality staff who listen well. Very responsive and accessible - they want to help.
More than 15
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
It’s all about who you know and getting “face time” so spend time “schmoozing” - the 20 hours notes above includes meetings.
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Risk averse
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Average
Very inconsistent. Some staff are great and some are invisible. Turn over seems high so you keep having to put time in to gain access.
Good
The goals are very narrow, specific, and tactical. I would hope for larger more inspirational goals. Marin’s issues have been around for a long time and do not seem to be getting better so I don’t think the foundation has made much headway locally as a Community Foundation.
Leverage your potential role as a systems change catalyst!! The foundation has the privledge of being one of a very few institutions in the county with the ability to interact with nearly all of our communities and most of our community serving organizations. From this vantage point, it could really make a difference in helping weave together Marin’s fragmented hyper localism into a more coherent network.
They seem to be doing very well raising money through their Donor Advised Funds.
20
Grant Applicant - applied before 2014
MCF is pretty opaque and their giving is split between Donor Advised Funds and the Buck Family Fund (BFF). Unless you are hand picked by a DAF, try applying to the BFF. The program officers are generally great, and obviously care about doing good in the community, but the leadership seems a lot more concerned with having fancy offices and looking good to rich people so they can get more DAF money.
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
Before 2014
Bad
In my experience unless your program officer is responsive and interested in your work, MCF is glacial in their decision making and they generally don't respond to inquiries. Example: they sold off several buildings they owned that housed nonprofits without offering the opportunity for the nonprofits to work out a deal or try to buy the properties themselves. Nonprofits only found out after the properties were sold to private/corporate buyers and it left them scrambling to find affordable space.
Average
Their stated goal is to promote equity in Marin, but I don't see them making much headway on that.
Recognize that the priorities set by your trustees and leadership literally make or break organizations and services in Marin. No one is willing to tell you anything other than "you're great!" because they're so reliant on your goodwill.
Showcases art in their headquarters.
10
