John and Sandra Mayfield Family Economic Development Fund

This fund was established by John and Sandra Mayfield to increase the prosperity of communities and individuals in Mendocino County through business and community development, education and entrepreneurship support. Previous grants have gone to Mendocino Private Industry Council implementing a work readiness training program for high school juniors and seniors, GRID Alternatives solar workforce development, the Arbor Youth Resource Center work readiness program, and the West Company’s Start Up Mendocino accelerator program.

In 2019, the Community Foundation welcomes proposals from Mendocino County non-profit organizations in two categories: small business and entrepreneurship development and workforce development.

Category One: Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development in Mendocino County

  • Infrastructure and support resources for start-ups and small businesses
  • Technical assistance for mission-driven earned income strategies for non-profit organizations (i.e. guidance on how to test the feasibility of a business concept, how to gain the support of the board and general public for the effort, how to identify business savvy personnel to run it, and how to learn the basics of marketing, sales and customer service)
  • Internal capacity-building of local non-profit community and economic development partners (EDFC, MPIC, West Company) to align collaborations and implement best practices
  • K-16 Entrepreneurial curriculum/classes

Category Two: Workforce Development in Mendocino County

  • Collaborative projects between businesses and educational institutions focusing on job training and certification programs that are vocational and/or business related
  • Job training for employment in the agriculture, manufacturing, health care, natural resources or tourism sectors of the county
  • Certifications leading to employment in the agriculture, manufacturing, health care, natural resources or tourism sectors of the county
  • Work readiness programs for high school students interested in employment opportunities in local businesses

Criteria:

  • Only non-profits may apply (for-profits must work through Economic Development Finance Corporation or West Company);
  • Looking for “proof of concept” (business has been formalized in some fashion and made a sale or the program has been piloted, proven successful, and has demonstrated local demand);
  • Avoiding duplication of products, services and programs;

Additionally, the organization may not have an active John and Sandra Mayfield Family Economic Development Fund grant.

Total available funding: $10,000; Grant range: $5,000-$10,000

Deadline for Submission:  This grant program is now closed for the 2018-2019 grant cycle

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