News Releases

Fresno Regional Foundation to grant $215,000 for environmental work in the San Joaquin Valley

September 1, 2011

Media Contacts:
Dan DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer; [email protected] or
Natalie Garcia, Program Officer; [email protected]; 559-226-5600

Fresno Regional Foundation to grant $215,000 for environmental work in the San Joaquin Valley Organizations working in air quality, river restoration and environmental cumulative health impacts urged to apply.

Fresno, CA – The Fresno Regional Foundation (FRF) announced the opening of its competitive grant cycle for the environment. FRF will grant $215,000 to organizations serving the San Joaquin Valley working on environmental issues.

Of the $215,000, $100,000 will be for the restoration of the valley segments of the San Joaquin and Kings rivers, $80,000 for activities to improve air quality and $35,000 will support research and public education on environmental cumulative health impacts, as well as strategies to bring funding and attention to environmental issues in the San Joaquin Valley.

“We believe the restoration of our rivers, clean air and a healthy living environment are crucial to improving the quality of life of all residents in the San Joaquin Valley, especially for our children,” said FRF’s Chief Executive Officer Dan DeSantis.

The Foundation’s grant making work is driven by the needs of Central Valley residents as well as guidance from philanthropists who contribute to the Foundation. FRF provides a fair and transparent competitive grant application process, financial evaluation of community benefit organizations, site visits and reporting on grant effectiveness.

FRF is investing $100,000 in river restoration of the San Joaquin and Kings rivers through the generosity of local resident Ted Martin, who has a passion to see water levels increase and native fish populations restored.

FRF is also granting $80,000 to organizations addressing air quality in the Central Valley, as part of a larger initiative funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

The San Joaquin Valley, along with the Los Angeles area, has the most polluted air in the country, which contributes to asthma, other respiratory illnesses and millions of dollars in government fines.

The third area of grant making is cumulative health impacts, which are the combined health effects of multiple sources of pollution. The Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $35,000 of its discretionary funds for this purpose.

FRF will support efforts to research and identify various sources of pollution, educate and engage the public, and incorporate those findings into the planning process.

For more information about grants, how to apply and deadlines, please contact Program Officers Sandra Flores and Natalie Garcia at (559) 226-5600 or visit www.fresnoregfoundation.org.

About the Fresno Regional Foundation
Founded in 1966, FRF is a community foundation whose mission is to improve the quality of life in the Central San Joaquin Valley through philanthropy. It serves Fresno, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Tulare and Kings counties.
FRF is the trusted link between donors and organizations investing in permanent, high-impact solutions for the Central Valley.
Foundation assets exceed $45 million. FRF awarded $4.5 million in grants in 2010.

For more information about the Fresno Regional Foundation, please visit www.fresnoregfoundation.org or call 559-226-5600.

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