About Us

West Marin Fund

West Marin Fund is a community foundation serving the coastal communities of West Marin. We provide grants and training to local nonprofits and bring together community members, donors, local agencies, and philanthropic organizations to identify and fund solutions that benefit everyone who lives, works, and visits our region.

We serve 11 unincorporated communities from Muir Beach in the south to Dillon Beach in the north, including: Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Olema, Inverness, Inverness Park, Point Reyes Station, Marshall, Dillon Beach, Nicasio, and Tomales, plus the surrounding ranch lands.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations to West Marin Fund are fully tax-deductible.

West Marin Fund is a community foundation that inspires giving and mobilizes resources to enhance the long-term wellbeing and quality of life for all in coastal West Marin.

A just and thriving West Marin.

Stewardship

We are champions for the unique communities of coastal West Marin, as well as for the region as a whole. We hold West Marin Fund in the public trust, building enduring assets and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in donor relations, community service, institutional governance, and fiscal management.

Equity and Inclusion

We believe that our communities are more vibrant when all members have the opportunities they need to thrive and participate fully in community life. We inspire giving and are committed to distributing assets to help all people in our region flourish.

Collaboration

We believe that we are stronger when we work together. We value the transformative power of partnerships based on mutual interests, trust and respect.

Responsiveness

We act strategically to ensure maximum effectiveness and enduring impact, supporting ongoing services while seeking new approaches to address changing community priorities. We strive to bring excellence, compassion, humility and a spirit of generosity to all that we do.

Our Approach

At West Marin Fund, we believe that strong communities create the foundation for a more connected, resilient, and equitable world. Our approach is one of bridge-builder and as a catalyst for collaboration and change.

We start by listening to our communities to understand where the need is greatest. We build partnerships. We provide grants, training, and resources to organizations doing the work. And we bring people together — nonprofits, residents, businesses, and government — to tackle challenges that no single group can solve alone. When needed, we advocate for policies and resources that benefit our entire region.

We’re helping to address immediate needs while building long-term solutions for West Marin.

Our Region

West Marin’s eleven unincorporated coastal villages, stretching from Muir Beach to Dillon Beach, present a striking contrast between the scenic beauty of the region and the many pressing needs that residents face. With no central municipal government to coordinate regional services, our rural communities rely heavily on an extensive array of local nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to address essential needs across health, education, housing, and social services.

Financial Hardship

While East Marin County communities such as Larkspur, Tiburon and Ross enjoy median income levels of approximately $54,800 to $64,400, the communities of coastal West Marin have a median income of approximately $32,360. 8.5% of the area’s households are below the federal poverty level. Many seniors struggle financially. Over 50% of students qualify for free or subsidized lunches.

Visitor Impact

With more than two million visits a year to West Marin, a range of issues must be handled by the villages and small towns of this coastal area, including road safety, water, sewage, and transportation. The availability of housing – particularly affordable housing – is a critical issue affecting community cohesion and diversity, and the economic viability of businesses and nonprofit organizations.

No Local Government

While the eleven unincorporated communities of coastal West Marin share many of the same issues and concerns, there is no regional government to bring them together — or the organizations that serve them — to discuss their common challenges or plan for the region’s future.

Service Gaps

Because there is no local government to provide community services, the region depends on its 65+ nonprofit organizations to provide needed community services, whether in health, education, housing, or transport for its rural population.

We are privileged to collaborate with a remarkable network of community organizations whose dedication ensures that West Marin residents have access to vital resources and the support they need to build strong, connected communities.

Nonprofit Partners Nonprofit Surveys

Financials

West Marin Fund values financial transparency and produces public reports on a regular basis to account for our use of funds, to provide information about the impact of our programs, and to enable people with an interest in West Marin to better understand our work.

View

Photos by Todd Pickering, Jessica Lifland, Jacob Leyva.