Highlights Newsletter Fall 2005

V E N T U R A C O U N T Y C O M M U N I T Y F O U N D A T I O N

Fall 2005

t

hig

hli

gh

ts

I N S I D E

grants committee. “Thanks to the generous

commitment of our donors and other friends

with whom we partner, the Foundation is

in a unique position to help support many

worthwhile organizations throughout the

county so they can continue to make an

important difference in the lives of those

they serve.”

Among the largest grants awarded in 2005

were two from the Martin V. and Martha K.

Smith Foundation: $1 million to the Seabee

Historical Foundation to build a new Seabee

Museum in Port Hueneme and $500,000 to

the Ventura County Museum of History and

Art’s “Building for the Centuries” capital

and endowment campaigns, establishing the

Martin V. Smith Pavilion.

continued on page 4

! engagement ! educat ion ! endowment ! grants ! scholarsh ips

Ventura County Community Foundation Announces Record-Setting Grants in 2005

Board Welcomes New Members . . . . . . . . . . .3Community Response FundAllots $58,000 . . . . . . . . . . .6Medical Education Loans . . .9Women's Legacy FundAwards $85,000 . . . . . . . .10Year-End Giving . . . . . . . . .11Vocational Scholarships . . .12Ten Years of Investment Success . . . . . .14

Smith Foundation41% ($1,707,500)

Special & UrgentNeeds Fund

1% ($53,326)

World Disaster Fund.5% ($18,355)

Women’s Legacy Fund2% ($85,000)

Donor-Advised Endowments11% ($452,180)

Donor-Advised Pass Through8% ($334,511)

Agency Pass Through1% ($31,134)

Community Disaster Fund.5% ($13,000)

Community Response Fund2% ($88,500)

Destino Fund2% ($102,880)

Designated Funds2% ($82,381)

Agency Endowments13% ($567,225)

Scholarship Pass Through2% ($68,500)

Scholarship Endowments13% ($554,675)

FarmworkerHousing

2% ($87,500)

Field-of-InterestFunds

2% ($95,607)

Grants by Fund Type – FY 2005

The Ventura County Community Foundation

made more than $4 million in grants and

pledges in fiscal year 2005 to nonprofit

organizations and local students seeking

scholarship support, the highest total in

the Foundation’s 18-year history.

A significant part of VCCF grants came

from donor-advised funds – both endowed

and pass-through funds – totaling more than

$785,000. An additional $598,000 came

from funds established by nonprofit agencies,

the vast bulk of which are endowments.

“The mission of the Foundation is to enable

and promote philanthropy in ways that

improve our community,” said Wendy

Lascher, chair of VCCF’s programs and

2

wWith the shortness of days, this time of the year

always seems to arrive more quickly than I think

it should. Along with family and holiday echoes,

it always is a busy time for nonprofits – scrambling

to be ready for year end and not always taking

the time to count our blessings!

This fall has been a productive one at VCCF

as we embark on the first year of our strategic

plan. This plan is the product of nine months

of work by our board, who focused on the

challenges we face as a growing organization

whose size has doubled in two years. Our

responsibility is to make sure we are ready to

help our partners and donors achieve their goals

in a world with an expanding list of options.

Our new mission statement encapsulates that

approach: to promote and enable philanthropy

to improve our communities, for good for ever.

That remains the heart of our work and the great

opportunity that is philanthropy in this county.

You can see below what the board has set as

mission goals and as goals for the organization.

The latter are important because they guide our

planning, staffing and budgeting; and the former

because they reflect why we build a strong vessel

for partnership over

the long haul. It is

truly to harness for

Ventura County the

power of philanthropy,

and what our donors can achieve here in

strengthening nonprofits, improving lives and

building legacies for the next generation.

In this year, the committees of the board are

reviewing specific goals and strategies to make

sure we can achieve our mission goals within

the five-year timeframe and that our staff and

resources are aligned to achieve the measurable

targets our board has set:

• To double the endowed assets at VCCF so

we can better meet community priorities

through grantmaking and expand the

reach of our donors’ charitable interests.

• To reduce our operating costs – at the

margin – so we can be even more efficient

and effective in serving our current and

new donors.

• To expand the number of workshops we

offer, and the number of nonprofit board

and staff leaders we serve through the

Resource Center.

• To expand our annuities and planned-

giving programs so that nonprofits in the

county can take advantage of wealth

transfers, bequests and deferred gifts,

stabilizing and enhancing their futures.

• To establish new field-of-interest funds to

address donor desires for focused impact

and at an effective cost.

• To explore having a physical presence in

East and West Ventura County.

! engagement ! educat ion ! endowment ! grants ! scholarships

President’s Letter

2005 – 2010 Mission Goals:" To engage donors to build philanthropic capital

for Ventura County.

" To build and preserve permanent endowments in Ventura County.

" To provide effective grantmaking from donor-advised and other VCCF funds.

" To provide management and leadership training for nonprofits and boards.

" To be an independent partner for philanthropic civic engagement, addressing community needs.

continued on page 7

a

3


Alfredo Plascencia, owner

and president of Lazer

Radio network, has been

elected to the board of

directors of the Ventura

County Community

Foundation. Former

board member Terri

Lisagor has rejoined

the board after a

short absence.

Plascencia founded Lazer Radio network in

1991 and, under his leadership, the station has

grown to become the most listened-to Spanish

radio station in Ventura County. Lazer Radio

network currently has 15 stations and, in

addition to Ventura County, broadcasts in

San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Santa

Barbara, Santa Maria, Salinas, Monterey and

Reno (Nevada).

A long-time supporter of VCCF, Plascencia is a

Founder of Destino: The Hispanic Legacy Fund and

is a co-founding chair of the Destino Business

Council (see story on page 5). Active in civic

organizations throughout the county, Plascencia

has held board/leadership positions with the

Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of

America, the Greater Oxnard Chamber of

Commerce, El Concilio del Contado de Ventura,

the Oxnard College Foundation, and the commit-

tee to build the new chapel of the Our Lady of

Guadalupe Church in Oxnard. Yolanda Plascencia

has also served on both the Destino Vision and

Grants committees in prior years.

Board Welcomes AlfredoPlascencia and Terri Lisagor

Bill Bang Leaves BoardAfter Decade of Service

continued on page 12

bBill Bang leaves the

VCCF board of direc-

tors after a decade of

outstanding service

during which time he

served on all major

committees and chaired

the board from 2000-

2004. At the same time, the board has said

goodbye to board members Richard Rush

and Charles Schultz, who resigned effective

September 2005.

Bang chaired the presidential search committee,

which in 2003 identified current VCCF

President Hugh Ralston as VCCF’s third

president. A retired publishing executive,

Bill and his wife Mary Ann have been active

in many philanthropic and civic causes

including the New West Symphony and the

Ventura County Museum of History and Art.

“Bill’s longstanding commitment to

philanthropy and to the work of VCCF has

set a high standard, and we are enormously

grateful for his leadership and generosity

during his many years of service,” said VCCF

Board Chair Mary Schwabauer. “Bill is truly

someone who has made a difference in

Ventura County.

“Bill, Richard and Charles have all made

important contributions to our Foundation,

and their absence from the board will be

felt,” Schwabauer continued. “Fortunately,

we have a talented board anxious to move

forward and tackle the many challenges

and opportunities that are in the heart of

our strategic plan.”

Alfredo Plascenia


4

This past fiscal year, VCCF also presented over

$600,000 in scholarship awards to deserving

students. This dollar amount represents a

doubling from just a year ago and reflects both

new memorial funds and new grants for specific

programs. It also reflects an expansion of the

Basile Scholarship Fund that permits renewable

$5,000 annual awards and the second round of

the Orfalea Nursing Scholarships Awards Program.

In addition, FY05 saw Destino: The Hispanic

Legacy Fund award its largest grant total ever –

$102,000 – to various community groups

whose work improves the lives of Latino men

and women in Ventura County. And in

September the Women’s Legacy Fund awarded

$85,000 in grants to ten organizations whose

work improves the lives of women and girls in

Ventura County (see related story on page 8).

VCCF President Hugh Ralston said that the

Foundation’s work in 2006 will continue

to focus in its five core areas: engagement,

education, endowment, grants and scholarships.

“It starts, almost as a virtual circle, with donor

engagement and education, leading to the many

endowments established at VCCF” he said.

“That leads directly to the many grants which

strengthen nonprofits and to scholarships to

seed the next generation. It is good work, and

we are privileged to partner with so many to

make such a difference here in Ventura County.”

Record-Setting Grants...continued from page 1

tThe Ventura County Community Foundation is

pleased to announce the recent promotions of

Clare Brown, Donna Hall and Claudia Sanchez.

Clare, a CPA, has been promoted

to the position of vice president/

controller after serving VCCF

for 11 months as its controller.

“Through this promotion we

are delighted to acknowledge

Clare’s outstanding contribution

to the Foundation as well as our confidence in

the role she plays as a key member of our senior

management team,” said VCCF President Hugh

Ralston. “Clare’s skills and experience will serve

us well as we look to her to manage the growing

financial needs of the Foundation, including our

expanding investment pool.”

Immediately prior to joining the Foundation in

2004, Brown spent 11 years with Ventura-based

Staff Promotions at VCCF

Shallenberger & Roberts. She was also an asso-

ciate with Sandall, Bernacchi & Petrovich in

Oxnard. A resident of Camarillo, Brown is

a graduate of California State University,

Northridge, with a Bachelor of Science degree

in business administration.

Donna Hall was promoted to

finance accountant and in that

role is responsible for accounts

payable/receivable, day-to-day

financial management of VCCF,

donor-fund statements, payroll

and other duties.

Claudia Sanchez is the new

financial associate and now

serves as assistant to the

finance department and

assistant to Swift Memorial

Healthcare Foundation.

Clare Brown

Donna Hall

Claudia Sanchez

o

a

5


addition of Virginia Espinoza of Bank of

America in Santa Paula adds to the talents of

our leadership team,” said Henry L. “Hank”

Lacayo, chair of Destino. “We call upon all of

those interested in this important mission to

attend one of our upcoming meetings and

become involved; it is a terrific way for

businesses to give back to our community.”

For additional information regarding the

Destino Business Council and upcoming events,

please contact VCCF Director of Donor Relations

Susan Clements at (805) 988-0196, x-115, or

[email protected].

As a way to expand its membership efforts, The

Destino Business Council launched a series of

meetings this fall, the first one taking place

October 6 at the VCCF offices in Camarillo.

The Destino Business Council, launched in 2004,

consists of business leaders and owners in

Ventura County who want to give back to the

Latino community and strengthen programs

that help Latinos in Ventura County. Through

their passionate commitment and generosity,

council members help Destino respond to the

most pressing issues facing Latinos today – from

youth employment and workforce education to

healthcare, housing and financial literacy. “The

Destino Business Council ExpandsLeadership and Outreach

Ventura County Star and VCCF Renew Scholarship Commitment

Once again, the Ventura County Star is partnering

with the Ventura County Community Foundation

to award scholarships to deserving seniors at

every high school in Ventura County. This

unique program is a wonderful way for the

Foundation, the Star and local citizens truly to

have an impact on the lives of outstanding

students throughout the county.

“The Star Scholarship program represents an

investment in our future leadership,” said

Virginia Weber, scholarships program officer.

“Each year that we work with the Star and

a growing number of donors, we are able to

provide even more opportunity for talented

and deserving students.”

The VCCF Star Scholarship partnership has

grown significantly over the past two years,

funded through $30 contributions by local

citizens who want to make a difference. To

find out more or to make a year-end donation

that will truly be appreciated, contact Virginia

at [email protected].

6

in state funding, the Arts Council is developing

an integrated approach to build long-term

funding to support artists and arts organizations

in Ventura County.

Senior nutrition providers received $11,000

in grants to support the transition of senior

nutrition programs from county management to

city-based. Specific grants ranging from $300 to

$3,100 were awarded to programs in Oxnard,

San Buenaventura, Moorpark, Fillmore and

Santa Paula. In addition, $1,000 will go to the

Resource Center for Nonprofit Management to

create a training program for marketing the new

city-run nutrition programs to seniors, which will

include scholarships to attend the workshops.

A $12,000 grant was provided to support the

start-up phase of the county’s pioneering 2-1-1

program, split between Interface Children

Family Services and the United Way of Ventura

County. Launched this year as the first in

California, the 2-1-1 call center provides

information regarding health and human

services throughout the community through

a single entry point, directing callers to the

resources they need – from after-school programs

to securing adequate care for a child or an

aging parent.

VCCF will make additional grants from the

Community Response Fund later this year.

tThe Ventura County Community Foundation’s

Community Response Fund has awarded $58,000

to a number of diverse, community-oriented

organizations in Ventura County who are engaged

in innovative solutions to community problems.

“The Community Response Fund has historically

focused on providing support for nonprofit

projects that do not fit within our other grants

programs,” said Tina Knight, VCCF director

of grants and scholarships. “This year, we

are providing seed funding for programs in

transitional and development stages to help

them address key needs and to build leadership

in solving problems.”

The United Way of Ventura County and the

Ventura County Civic Alliance each received a

$12,000 grant. The United Way will use the

grant to help develop a business plan for the

Children’s Health Initiative, which is exploring

ways to provide access to healthcare for uninsured

children. The Ventura County Civic Alliance

will use its grant as it moves forward on its livable

communities and workforce education initiatives,

both outcomes from a two-year community-

oriented process to develop strategies to address

the county’s growth and sustainability (see story

on page 7).

The Ventura County Arts Council was granted

$11,000 to complete its strategic plan, with an

emphasis on cultivating new donors to support

the arts in Ventura County. Hard hit by cutbacks


Grants focus on Children’s Health, Senior Nutrition, 2-1-1, the Arts and Civic Engagement

Community Response Fund Allots $58,000 to Local Programs

7


wWith the June 2005 completion of the initial

three-year funding from the James Irvine

Foundation, the Ventura County Civic Alliance

has successfully moved into its next phase of

funding support. As of September 30, the

Alliance reported it has raised over $85,000

from individuals and institutional partners

in Ventura County, exceeding its first-year

goals for both individual contributions and

local business support.

An initiative of VCCF, the Alliance is focused

on promoting a healthy and sustainable future

for the Ventura County region. It is a coalition

of civic leaders with a shared commitment to

bringing the economic, environmental and

social equity interests (“3Es”) of our region

together to address priority community

issues, increase civic engagement and build

community leadership.

Particularly noteworthy in its latest fundraising

efforts is the fact that 100 percent of Alliance

members made contributions to support its

ongoing operations. Local business support

was greatly enhanced by a 1:2 match from

Haas Automation. The Alliance also received

a generous gift from Sage Publications and

additional important support from leading

businesses such as Procter & Gamble, Santa

Barbara Bank & Trust, and others. In addition,

the Alliance is extremely thankful to the

Ventura County Star for its support and

underwriting of the recent two “Road Ahead”

conferences.

For further information on becoming involved

or contributing to the Civic Alliance, please

visit www.vccf.org/civicalliance or email

[email protected].

Civic Alliance Exceeds Fundraising Goals

Over the next year, we will be looking at how

we can improve our procedures, our communi-

cations, our materials and our responsiveness.

Our latest donor survey gave us good marks

but also pointed out areas to strengthen. We

recognize that the Community Foundation

can play a unique role in this county, and we

look forward to the good work that we can

do together. Let us know how we can help

you achieve your dreams for a stronger

Ventura County.

Hugh J. Ralston

President & CEO

President’s Letter...continued from page 2

Organizational Goals:

" To be a respected and independent leader inthe Ventura County nonprofit community and one of the best community foundations in California.

" To remain at financial equilibrium.

" To ensure staffing and programs reflect VCCF priorities.

" To provide staff with long-term career opportunities, professional work environment and resources.

" To provide a marketing and communications program that educates and informs.

t

8

The Ventura County Community Foundation’s

World Disaster Fund is open to receive contribu-

tions from local residents who wish to aid victims

of the recent earthquake tragedy in Pakistan and

the overwhelming flooding in Guatemala.

“The physical destruction and human suffering

as a result of these natural disasters is enormous,

and we are joining with donors from all over

the world to reach out to victims, particularly

children, who are homeless and in need of our

support,” said VCCF President Hugh Ralston.

“While the world has seemed to witness one

natural disaster after another this year, each one

has its own devastating effect on the lives it

touches. We are pleased to partner with the

residents of Ventura County who want to direct

their generous contributions to assist in these

two regions of the world which are suffering

from these natural disasters.”

Disaster Relief Funds Aid Katrina Victims and Those in Pakistan and Guatemala

Earlier this year, VCCF served as a local central

point for Ventura County residents to aid vic-

tims of the East Asian Tsunami and Hurricane

Katrina. As in those cases, the grant recipients

for this latest relief effort will be organizations

that provide emergency relief and long-term

recovery in the affected areas. At its November

meeting, the VCCF board approved three grants

totaling $18,000 to support Katrina victims,

partnering with regional community foundations

with local expertise and hands-on knowledge.

Grants were made to the Greater New Orleans

Community Foundation, the Foundation for

the Mid-South, and Foundation for Greater

Birmingham, each of which will assist longer-

term recovery efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi

and Alabama, respectively.

Contributions should be sent to VCCF. Please

make your checks payable to VCCF, note that

it is for the World Disaster Fund, and also note

whether it is intended to help victims in

Pakistan or in Guatemala. Forms are available

on VCCF’s Web site at www.vccf.org.


t

9


The Ventura County Community Foundationwill be awarding forgivable medical educationloans to individuals who promise to practice inVentura County for a minimum of two yearsupon completion of their studies.

The Foundation’s new Medical Education Fund isproviding $2,000 forgivable loans to studentsenrolled in a two-year program for an associate’sdegree of nursing at an accredited institution inVentura County or to students from VenturaCounty pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree innursing in a four-year program at an accreditedinstitution anywhere in Southern California.The deadline for application submission wasOctober 28; recipients will be announced shortly.

“Investing in students and helping them achievetheir dreams is one of the best ways to assure abright future for Ventura County,” said VCCFScholarship Program Officer Virginia Weber.“We are delighted, in partnership with theCounty of Ventura, to be able to expand ourprogram to launch this innovative program toincrease the supply of nurses serving Ventura

County. As an endowed fund, we will be able to do this every single year.”

The Medical Education Fund, established earlierthis year to increase the number of qualifiedmedical and healthcare workers in VenturaCounty, was made possible by a distribution of Tobacco Settlement Funds authorized by theboard of supervisors. Loan recipients will signan agreement pledging to work as a nurse inVentura County for at least two years followingthe completion of his or her studies, at whichpoint the loan will be forgiven. If the studentdoes not work as a nurse in the county, the loanmust be repaid in full.

Medical Education Forgivable Loans to Be Awarded

vCheck Resource Centerfor Upcoming ProgramsVentura County Community Foundation’s

Resource Center for Nonprofit Management is

the only center of its kind in Ventura County.

Since 1991, the center has provided training,

research materials and technical assistance

to nonprofit organizations in Ventura County

with the goal of strengthening the ability of

those organizations to deliver needed services

in the community, giving over 60 workshops

per year on various topics of management

and leadership training.

There are a lot of valuable programs planned

for the coming months. For a complete listing

and for information on attending, please visit

www.vccf.org/resourcecenter or call Resource

Center Director Dena Jenson at (805) 988-0196,

ext. 128.

t

10


The Women’s Legacy Fund (WLF) has awarded$85,000 in grants to ten organizations whosework improves the lives of women and girls inVentura County. These grants were formally presented in September during a reception heldat the Studio Channel Islands Art Center, celebrating WLF’s first decade.

The reception paid tribute to the founders, donorsand grantees who have devoted themselves to the worthy causes of the WLF. The event alsoafforded attendees the opportunity to meet the2005 grant recipients and view a featured artexhibit called “By a Woman’s Hand.” As the only permanent endowment fund specificallydesigned to address the needs of women andgirls in Ventura County, the WLF has grantedover $400,000 to more than 60 locally based programs since its inception in 1995. Each year,grants are made by a committee consisting offounders and WLF donors which reviews proposals from local non-profits.

This year’s grants focused on programs that provide education, training and economicopportunities for women. Some of the organiza-tions honored were those involved in housing,childcare and transportation assistance, all ofwhich provide the temporary cushion somewomen need to get “back on their feet” andachieve and maintain economic self-sufficiency.

“In 2005, there was a special emphasis on supporting programs that provide education and training for women as well as young womenwishing to enter the physical and/or mentalhealth-related fields,” said Tina Knight, VCCFdirector of grants and scholarships.

The largest of the grants, $14,000, was awardedto the Westminster Free Clinic for its Teen

WLF Awards $85,000 in Grants to Assist Women in Ventura County

Healthcare Training Program. The program concentrates on training high school-aged girls to provide clinic outreach and directpatient services as well as providing them with mentorship by healthcare professionalsvolunteering at the clinic.

The Coalition to End Family Violence received$11,000 for its Job Resource Center, which provides educational development and jobsearch assistance, a business clothes closet,vouchers for hairstyling and transportation.

Other grants included $10,000 to The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley for theirHow to Launch a Career in Health & HumanServices Program; and The Smart Start ChildDevelopment Centers for the Abriendo Puertas(Opening Doors), serving non-English-speakingwomen with English language instruction specific to employment as well as guidance and classes for getting and keeping a job.

Additionally, $10,000 was awarded to ManyMansions for Stoll House, assisting homelesswomen and their families in the transitionfrom homelessness to permanent housing andeconomic self-sufficiency, as well as to theVentura College Foundation for the PhoenixProgram at the Women’s and Re-Entry Center.

Other grant recipients were the Women’sEconomic Ventures, Many Motors, Kids to Kids, and the Foundation for Education andEmployment Resources.

Honoree and Founder of the WLF Dottie Loebl (center),accompanied by Board Members Sally Yount (left) andRobin Woodworth (right), receives an award for making"A Decade of Difference" to the Women's Legacy Fund.

a

11


As you consider your year-end gift giving,

don’t forget the great work going on right in

your own community by the Ventura County

Community Foundation. Through the

Foundation, there are many ways for you to put

your dollars to good use.

Some choose to make a gift to an endowment

fund – either one established by individual

donors or one established by VCCF itself.

Endowment gifts live in perpetuity and, for that

reason, are an attractive option for many

donors. Many of the same funds can also be

supported through annual gifts. Gifts of this

nature increase the annual grants budget for

2006, provide for operating Foundation

expenses, or assist in a particular project.

“Philanthropy is for anyone who wants to have

an impact in the future of Ventura County,”

says VCCF President Hugh Ralston. “That’s

why we’ve created many opportunities and

options for people who want to partner with

VCCF and strengthen their connection with

the wonderful county where they work or live.

Your contribution is one way to make this

connection real.”

Among the many funds at the Foundation that

can be supported through either endowment

gifts or annual gifts are:

• Heritage Fund

• Destino: Hispanic Legacy Fund

(including the Latino Literacy Initiative)

• Women’s Legacy Fund

• Community Response Fund

• Disaster & Recovery Funds

• SUN (Special & Urgent Needs) Fund

• Scholarship Fund for Ventura County

(which supports the Star Scholarships)

• VCCF Vocational Scholarship Fund

• Medical Education Fund – Forgivable Loan

Program for Nurses

• Social Justice Giving Circle

• VCCF Arts Funds

• Ventura County Fund for

Farmworker Housing

• Mental Health Initiative (2006)

Gifts can also be directed to help cover operating

costs so that VCCF can do a better job of serving

its missions and strengthening its partners.

• VCCF Associates Program

• Resource Center Workshop Sponsorships

• Civic Alliance Partners Program

Further information on any of these programs

or your gift-giving options may be obtained at

www.vccf.org or by calling (805) 988-0196.

A gift to the Ventura County Community

Foundation will spread the holiday joy

throughout the year and help support those

locally based organizations whose missions

you care about and who serve those in need.

Consider VCCF for Your Year-End Giving

12


v

d

VCCF is expanding its grants for students

pursuing training in technically related fields,

reaching out to a larger segment of Ventura

County youth not immediately pursuing a

college degree.

In announcing the $2,000 vocational scholarships

grants, VCCF President Hugh Ralston said that

it is “important to provide assistance to those

who aspire to focus in the professional areas that

often drive our economy. These occupations are

crucial to the growth and infrastructure of

Ventura County, and we are proud to encourage

all students who wish to master their vocations

to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Fund was created through the generosity

of Haas Automation, one of Oxnard’s leading

businesses. Additional contributions to this

year’s grant pool are welcome as VCCF builds

this new resource for Ventura County students

into an annual source of scholarship assistance.

The 2005 Vocational Career & Technical Education

Scholarships was open to all graduating Ventura

County high school seniors or graduates of any

Ventura County high school currently enrolled,

or planning to enroll, in a number of specialized

education programs at technical institutions in

Ventura County.

Eligible categories include cosmetology, building/

property maintenance, machine shop, electrical/

electronic engineering, medical assistant,

administrative assistant, data processing, licensed

vocational nurse (LVN), software/computer IT

and business administration. Applicants must

demonstrate financial need.

“We are honored to have someone with Alfredo’s

knowledge and strong community commitments

join our board of directors,” said VCCF Chair of

the Board Mary Schwabauer. “He and his wife are

both dedicated to making Ventura County an even

better place to live, and we know that his passion

and energy will be put to good use as a member of

our board.”

Terri Lisagor rejoins the

VCCF board after resolving

some scheduling conflicts

with her responsibilities as

a professor of nutrition/food

sciences at California State

University, Northridge. Terri

is now serving as vice-chair

of VCCF’s programs and

grants committee and is on the communications

committee as well as the organizing committee for

a new social justice giving circle.

VCCF Expands Scholarships With New Vocational and Technical Career Awards

Board Welcome...continued from page 3

Terri Lisagor

w

13


Working through the Ventura County Community

Foundation, a Ventura County family has made

a gift of $1 million to the Ventura County

Museum of History and Art’s capital campaign

to fund construction and programming in the

museum’s research library. The generous gift

will enable the library to quadruple in size and

will create an endowment to fund acquisitions,

conservation, special programs and other library

needs. While the donors prefer to remain

anonymous, a family member noted that “the

gift is made in recognition of the tremendous

value of the library to the county, and in the

hope that its collections will continue to grow.

In addition, we hope that this gift will generate

a challenge to other families to come forward

and support the museum.”

Originally the archive of the Ventura County

Historical Society, the museum library collection

has grown over the years with the addition of

rare collections, many of which are one-of-a-kind

and irreplaceable. “The museum research library

collections represent nothing less than an entire

region’s appreciation of its own history and a

commitment to the preservation of that history,”

said Librarian Charles Johnson. “Almost a

century old, the collections continue to grow

in both established and emerging areas and is

the single most important historical resource

concerning Ventura County available anywhere.”

A $250,000 endowment fund at the Ventura

County Community Foundation, created as

part of the library gift, will provide yearly

income to fund special library projects, such as

purchases of new materials and equipment, and

to sponsor special publications and programs

dealing specifically with the library collection.

Income from the endowment will become

available in October 2006.

$1 Million Gift Secures Future of Museum Library

Charitable Gift Annuity Rates

Looking to get a higher monthly return on your

investments at a guaranteed rate? To help a local

charity? To expand Ventura County’s philanthropic

resources? Perhaps you wish to leave a legacy for

good for ever? Open a charitable gift with VCCF and

benefit a local charity, the Community Foundation

and the community.

• VCCF annuities provide guaranteed

income to donors.

• The annuity rate is determined by the

donor’s age at the time the gift is made;

individual rates apply to specific ages.

• VCCF annuities can support nonprofits

throughout Ventura County.

For more information about eligibility

requirements and program details, contact

Hugh Ralston at [email protected] or call

(805) 988-0196, ext. 116.

For One Life(yourself)

For Two Lifes(yourself and another)

14

dDonor fund statements have been expanded

with the September 30, 2005, statement, bringing

more background information to fund advisors

and agencies investing with VCCF. “Providing

additional information about our investment

process and our advisors is important to those

who entrust funds to us,” noted VCCF President

Hugh Ralston. “We are very proud of our long-

term record, particularly given the importance

of our policy to preserve the purchasing power

of capital over time.”

VCCF’s historical return of 10 percent exceeds

the current 5 percent annual distribution policy,

fees and inflation, allowing the core funds to grow

over time to expand the charitable grantmaking.

Investment Process

VCCF manages its endowment funds in a pool,

which is overseen by an investment committee

consisting of VCCF board members and others

with expertise in the investment markets and

experience managing large endowment and

foundation portfolios. The committee meets a

minimum of six times annually to review the

performance of managers, potential changes in

managers and market updates. The current

committee chair is Robert Katch, VCCF board

member and founder of Manchester Financial.

Other members include VCCF Directors Pierre

Tada, Stacy Roscoe and Denis Dupuis as well

as former VCCF Directors Richard Shipley and


Donor fund statements expand investment data

Ten Years of Investment Success

Performance Summary as Septmber 30, 2005 Manager Allocation Summaryas Septmber 30, 2005

Core BondAlternative AssetsAlternative AssetsLarge Cap ValueLarge Cap Growth

Large Cap GrowthMid Cap GrowthMid Cap ValueSmall Cap CoreInternational Large Core

Last Fiscal Last 3 Last 5 Last 10 Since Quarter YTD/ Years Years Years Incep. 1 Year Dec. 1991 Total Fund

Total Fund Composite 5.7 16.0 17.2 7.0 9.9 10.0

Total Funds Universe Rank 6 12 10 8 18 -

Custom Index** 3.3 12.0 14.1 2.8 8.2 8.8

Manager Index* 3.9 13.0 14.9 4.3 9.2 9.4PIMCO Total Return

29.3%

BernsteinDiversified Value

14.6%

Archstone2.1%

Montauk Triguard0.0%

Aetos2.0%

Eubel Brady4.9%

Westcliff11.5%

Roxbury7.7%

IntechLarge Growth

6.0%Lateef6.4%

EuroPacific Growth15.6%

** Custom Index is 50% Russell 3000/15% MSCI EAFE after taxes/35% Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond

* The Manager Index is composed of the Russell 3000/Lehman Bros. Aggregate Bond/MSCI EAFE components based on the actual allocation percentages of the Total Fund.

Investment Performance

For more information on VCCF’s investment management results for donoradvised, agency endowment and other funds see, www.vccf.org/funds

15


William Hart. Countrywide Executive Vice

President Anne McCallion also serves on the

committee, which is staffed by VCCF’s Vice

President/Controller Claire Brown and

President. In addition, a longstanding relation-

ship with Canterbury Consulting provides

VCCF with objective advice and comparative

data on the performance of its managers, both

in actual terms and compared to benchmarks

set out in VCCF’s investment policy.

Asset Allocation

According to Katch, one of the committee’s

key responsibilities is allocating the portfolio

among asset classes – stock, bonds and

alternatives. “The current policy is 60 percent

equities, 30 percent bonds and up to 10 percent

alternative assets, which creates a diversified

portfolio and sets up the endowment for

long-term growth of principal,” says Katch.

“The committee is also reviewing other

options, including a family of ‘socially

responsible’ funds that would mirror the

Foundation’s asset allocation targets.”

Within equities, the committee has set targets

for large cap (25 percent – 12.5 percent for

growth and 12.5 percent for value), mid-cap

equities (10 percent) and small-cap equities

(10 percent) as well as 15 percent for international

(non-U.S. based) large-cap stocks. These ranges

are approved by the board, as is the annual

distribution rate, which is currently 5 percent

of the value of the fund, calculated over a

12-quarter rolling average as of June 30 of

each year. These monies are available October 1

of each year for distribution as grants to local

nonprofits.

Due to the volume of individual donations

and contributions to VCCF funds and

programs since our last newsletter, we

are unable to list all of our donors in this

quarterly newsletter. Please look for a

listing in our upcoming annual report

and on VCCF’s Web site at www.vccf.org.

We thank you for your generous support

of the good work of the Community

Foundation, expanding the impact of

philanthropy in Venture County.

A Thank You to Donors

The committee monitors the allocation targets

on a regular basis, and new funds invested

into the portfolio are spread among the

various managers to preserve the appropriate

allocation. “Studies have shown that the asset

allocation decision is one of the most important

determinants of long-term performance, and

we take the disciplined review seriously,” noted

Katch. “One of our key responsibilities is to be

a careful steward of the funds entrusted to us,

and our goal is to achieve long-term growth

while ensuring that funds invested with

VCCF are safe and well looked after.”

Fund advisors are invited to an annual open

meeting in November to discuss the portfolio

strategy and performance; the presentation is

posted on the VCCF Web site at www.vccf.org.

c

NonprofitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDOxnard, CA

Permit No. 210

Board of DirectorsMary L. Schwabauer, ChairRonald L. Hertel, TreasurerSally S. Yount, SecretaryDenis A. DupuisRobert J. KatchHenry L. "Hank" LacayoWendy Cole LascherTerri LisagorTimothy J. McCallionAlfredo Plascencia M. Carmen Ramirez Stacy A. RoscoeScott B. SamskyPierre Y. TadaRobin C. Woodworth

President & CEOHugh J. Ralston

V E N T U R A C O U N T Y C O M M U N I T Y F O U N D A T I O N

1317 Del Norte Road, Suite 150, Camarillo, CA 93010-8504805-988-0196 Fax: 485-5537 [email protected] www.vccf.org

Investing in Ventura County. For Good. For Ever.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Congratulations to the newest winners of the

Staff Leadership Award, a quarterly commendation

recognizing outstanding effort and leadership:

• Virginia Weber (2nd Quarter)

• Clare Brown and Claudia Sanchez

(3rd Quarter)

“These awards are given to staff colleagues who

have stretched above and beyond the call of

duty,” says VCCF President Hugh Ralston. “As

program officer for scholarships, Virginia’s deft

and thoughtful handling of a three-fold increase

in scholarship applications this past year was

truly outstanding – and was evident in our

successful grant reception. Claudia and Clare

were exemplary in preparing all of the materials

for the national standards review in a very short

period of time, with materials updated and

received in good order. I am pleased to recognize

these exceptional individuals for their great

work.” Award recipients received a gift certificate

for their extraordinary efforts.

Staff Leadership Awards Announced

From l to r: Claudia Sanchez, Virginia Weber, and Clare Brown

Documents

Highlights Newsletter Fall 2005