Ventura County Community Foundation’s (VCCF) — Power of Purpose — May 2025

Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,

An article in The New York Times this past week introduced me to one of my new favorite jazz songs, Frank Morgan’s “Lullaby.” I’ve had it on repeat ever since, especially during long walks when I’ve needed space to think. There’s something about its melody, a tenderness that helps me hold the weight of these times as I reflect on questions without easy answers.

On one recent walk, I found myself wrestling with how we can do more, together, to support families in our community who are being hit the hardest by rising costs, uncertainty, and the loss of critical services they rely on. The scale of the challenges can feel so overwhelming. And then, a memory surfaced. I recalled as a child hearing the story of the boy walking along the beach, gently tossing stranded starfish back into the sea. When someone told him his efforts couldn’t possibly make a difference, the boy replied simply, “It matters to this one.”

That’s what you make possible. You do it one step and one life at a time. We get to see your acts of love that when added together make Ventura County a better place for all of us, and your community foundation couldn’t be more grateful!

In this time of nonstop headlines and uncertainty, I invite us not to lose sight of the good we are creating together. There are so many examples, including the meaningful and inspired leadership of the recent graduating class of the Ventura County Leadership Academy, where Cohort 30 raised more than $20,000 to help support neighbors who lost their homes in the Mountain Fire. I wish I could have bottled up their joy as they presented the check last week – it was such a beautiful thing to witness!

As many of you may have heard, we collectively secured the location for the Isabella Project’s very first Early Care Hub, with the press release having gone out on Monday. I still can hardly believe it. This milestone would not have been possible without the tireless leadership, patience, creativity, and perseverance of so many. There is much more to do, but this is an extraordinary and hopeful step forward.

Thank you, as always.

Until next month,

Vanessa

Vanessa Bechtel, VCCF President & CEO

Vanessa Bechtel was honored to recognize the efforts of VCLA Cohort 30 at their recent graduation. Congratulations to the entire cohort, including our very own Candice Nyholt!

A Conversation with Jose Negrete, VCCF Scholarship Alum

We welcomed former Adelante II Scholarship student Jose Negrete for a conversation about his life’s journey from Oxnard all the way to the United Nations. The talk brought volunteer scholarship readers, donors, students, teachers, and VCCF community members to hear Jose’s story and see firsthand how the VCCF scholarship program changes lives.

Read more about Jose and view photos from the event!

Grant Opportunity Opening Soon!

VibeWell Ventura County Arts & Wellness Grant Program

This grant program opportunity, funded through Ventura County Behavioral Health’s Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) funds under the Mental Health Services Act, supports nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in delivering and evaluating programs that increase awareness of mental health conditions and treatment resources through artistic, creative, and cultural engagement.

Six Months Later, AP News Spotlights Aftermath of Mountain Fire

VCCF President & CEO Vanessa Bechtel spoke with AP News reporter Gabriela Aoun Angueira about the work that’s been done to address the Mountain Fire recovery needs in our community without federal aid, alongside County Supervisor Jeff Gorell and Anne Whatley with the Ventura County Long Term Disaster Recovery Group. Read this powerful piece that sheds light on the unique situation our county still faces.

Thank You to Our Scholarship Readers!

We would like to give the BIGGEST thank you to our VCCF Scholarship Selection Committee as they’ve finished reading nearly 1,300 applications for our 2025 Scholarship Season! This year, we are celebrating 208 volunteer readers and scorers (our biggest group ever!) for all their hard work to help lift up the dreams of our community’s students. Learn more about becoming a volunteer reader below!

VCCF Merch Store is Live!

For the first time ever, VCCF has its own merch store! Show your love for your community with hats, apparel, drinkware, pet bandanas, and more! More merch will be added to the store soon, so be sure to drop by often to find that perfect item for you or a loved one.

A Conversation on Today’s Market Landscape with Canterbury Consulting

This month, we were joined by Canterbury Consulting for a discussion on today’s market landscape. They helped put our current economic situation into a greater context and shared insightful trends for those who may be worried by the market’s recent unpredictability. As VCCF’s investment partners for the past 34 years, there is no one better than Canterbury we’d recommend for understanding this topic, so be sure to check out the recording.

VCLA’s Trivia Night at the Museum

Benefitting VCCF’s Ventura County Wildfire Relief & Recovery Fund

Last month, the Ventura County Leadership Academy’s Cohort 30 hosted a delightful Trivia Night at the Museum to raise money for VCCF’s Ventura County Wildfire Relief & Recovery Fund. Of the 150 guests, many VCCF team and community members attended and tested their skills on Ventura County-themed trivia. The evening of fun and friendly competition at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum brought in a record number by a VCLA cohort at over $20,000.

View the gallery and read about the strong connection that Cohort 30 had in supporting those impacted by the Mountain Fire.