McCune Foundation

OVERVIEW: The McCune Foundation supports projects that address critical issues in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties by empowering and mobilizing excluded populations.

IP TAKE: The foundation is particularly interested in grassroots, bottom-up organizations working within marginalized communities.

PROFILE: Established in 1990, the McCune Foundation was created by Sara Miller McCune and her late husband George McCune, the founders and principal management team of SAGE Publications, Inc., a leading academic publisher. The McCune Foundation supports productive change through building social capital in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

The Foundation supports grassroots groups with a strong community base that are addressing critical issues in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties through community organizing strategies, particularly organizations that are “doing with others” rather than “doing for others.” It also states that “projects should be initiated and led by economically and politically disenfranchised groups including low-income, working poor, and marginalized individuals.” The foundation also notes that these populations should be included in an organization’s leadership structure. Indeed, it is a requirement.

In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $660,000. Past grantees include California Lutheran University, Westminster Free Clinic, Just Communities Central Coast, Diversity Collective Ventura County, and Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center.

McCune offers project and general operating support grants for projects that grow social capital and enhance a community’s capacity to mobilize residents to solve problems. Requests up to $40,000 will be considered and grants are generally not for more than 50 percent of a project budget. Grants are awarded twice a year. Initial Inquiries should be sent by mail.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

McCune Foundation
P.O. Box 24340
Ventura, CA 93002-4340