Knowledge of resources is key to success. As nonprofits, we live by our mission. Passion and commitment are hopefully at the forefront of each day. As a community foundation, it is our goal to support local nonprofits and help them flourish to support their cause. We utilize our professional and community relationships to build up the greater Laguna Beach area to help leave a legacy for many generations to come. Below is a list of our top 3 things we want every local nonprofit to keep in mind.

1. GrantStation available for use at LBCF – A curated grants portal is available for use by any local nonprofit upon scheduling. Staff will walk you through ways to search for active grants that fit your mission. If you are interested in learning more about the GrantStation portal, there is a free online tutorial available on Tuesday, April 14th at 11am. The tour will walk you through how to best utilize the service to receive the most benefit from funders. To schedule a time at the portal, call 949-715-8223 or email [email protected].

To register for the tutorial, visit:                           https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=3s3f1u0y8qzh

2. Planned Giving is a Must  – With fluctuations in the economy comes fluctuations in nonprofit assets and the ability to carry out on a mission. Rather than depending on increasing annual fundraising goals with small and large one-time contributions, planned giving can provide confidence and assurance to the community that your organization is sustainable and financially secure. Opening a fund with LBCF allows you the flexibility to focus on your mission while giving your donors the option of donating retirement plan assets, life income gifts, and legacy gifts through bequests or living trusts. Today, you can give your donors the option of leaving their legacy with you.

3. Branding and Marketing Sets the Tone – Think about how your donors see you in the community. Whether it’s a face-to-face interaction, your website, the emotions evoked through your logo, your social media presence, or an article in the local newspaper, each interaction needs to speak to your mission. At times it’s difficult to keep all of this in mind during day-to-day operations. To help answer questions you may have on the topic, LBCF is offering a two-part series on branding, marketing, and social media. Our May and June speaker series will feature Shaena Stabler, Co-Owner of Stu News and Brian Ross Adams, owner of Trusted Messenger Marketing, a social media, online branding, websites and message consulting company for nonprofits, political campaigns, businesses, artists, and public figures. The events will take place on May 21st and June 18th from 12:15pm-1:00pm here at LBCF. Please mark your calendars and RSVP to [email protected]. More details will follow.

The mission of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation is to encourage philanthropy in the greater Laguna Beach area through its charitable organizations and residents. One of our core service offerings is our Donor Advised Funds. These Funds are basically “Giving Funds” that allow donors to manage their philanthropic goals. Unlike a private family foundation, Donor Advised Funds can be opened in 1-2 business days and are administratively ran by the Foundation. It’s truly as simple as 1,2,3…

1. Fill out a simple 4-page Fund Application and submit to LBCF.

2. Transfer funds (cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement plan assets, life income gifts, and more) upon opening and receive immediate tax write-off.

3. At your convenience, give to the causes that mean the most to you. 

To learn more about how we assist donors, click here! For more information about a Donor Advised Fund, contact us at 949-715-8223.

In 2014, this is where our donors decided to give…

Reducing Bycatch of Iconic Ocean Life in One of the Nation’s Dirtiest Fisheries

Drowning marine mammals and turtles snagged in gillnets – a challenge nagging ocean conservationists – is the topic as Dr. Geoff Shester tells us about the California swordfish industry and its drift gillnets. The international conservation organization Oceana has recently identified the California swordfish drift gillnet fishery as among the dirtiest “bycatch” fisheries in the nation.

According to some estimates, this fishery kills more dolphins and whales annually than all other west coast and Alaska fisheries combined, as well as large numbers of iconic sharks and other fish species. Overall, over half of all animals caught in these gillnets are discarded overboard. California lawmakers attempted to pass legislation to ban the use of drift gillnets by California fishermen in 2014 and remain concerned about the high level of bycatch in this fishery. The federal Pacific Fishery Management Council is currently considering implementing a suite of “bycatch caps” on several species of whales and sea turtles, which would shut the fishery down for the remainder of a fishing season if any of the caps are reached or exceeded.

Oceana has proposed that efforts be focused on transitioning away from drift gillnets completely toward alternative fishing methods. To this end, the presentation will discuss efforts to promote legal harpoon gear and further exploring experimental deep-set buoy gear as part of a multi-faceted conservation campaign. The talk will discuss these issues, as well as new emerging concerns with whale entanglements in fishing gear off the west coast, while identifying opportunities for ocean conservationists and enthusiasts to further engage in west coast fishery management.