“College was not just a dream anymore.”
A Terra Linda High School senior reflects on discovering CalKIDS, California’s free college savings program for eligible students and newborns. This year, partners across Marin worked together to help families unlock over $47,000 in new savings, making it easier for students to pursue college with confidence and support.
Michael Looft, the Backbone Team’s Director of Technology, set out on a road trip to visit fellow place-based partnerships across the country. Along the way, he explored how communities are tackling similar challenges, reminding us how staying connected to the national StriveTogether network helps our backbone team bring fresh insight, tested strategies, and renewed purpose back to Marin.
In Marin, many students of color go through school without ever having a teacher who looks like them. That is starting to change. This story follows a cross-sector partnership that listened to educators of color, removed systemic barriers, and built a lasting Educator Pathway.
“College was not just a dream anymore.”
A Terra Linda High School senior reflects on discovering CalKIDS, California’s free college savings program for eligible students and newborns. This year, partners across Marin worked together to help families unlock over $47,000 in new savings, making it easier for students to pursue college with confidence and support.
Michael Looft, the Backbone Team’s Director of Technology, set out on a road trip to visit fellow place-based partnerships across the country. Along the way, he explored how communities are tackling similar challenges, reminding us how staying connected to the national StriveTogether network helps our backbone team bring fresh insight, tested strategies, and renewed purpose back to Marin.
In Marin, many students of color go through school without ever having a teacher who looks like them. That is starting to change. This story follows a cross-sector partnership that listened to educators of color, removed systemic barriers, and built a lasting Educator Pathway.
Local leaders, community organizations, and schools have come together to launch a new planning process aimed at creating better opportunities for children and families in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael.
The Canal Promise Neighborhood Plan is a community-driven effort to build a shared vision for improving education, health, and economic well-being in the Canal, now and for generations to come.
Family Engagement Initiative |Engaging Families: Collective Impact in Action | Involucrando a las Familias: Impacto Colectivo en Acción | January 2025 Newsletter | Sign up for the Family Engagement Initiative Quarterly Updates | Stay in the loop of current work happening in Marin County around Family Engagement to learn how our parent group is working to
Where a family lives shouldn’t dictate their access to education, health, or economic opportunity—but in Marin County, it often does. Some places are thriving while others face barriers to opportunity. These disparities shape children’s futures long before they set foot in a classroom. Take a look at our vision to deepen our impact.
One of my main goals as I step into the role of CEO is to visit different parts of our county and listen to the voices of families, partners, and communities. Recently, I had the privilege of spending a day in West Marin—a region known for its beauty and rural charm, but also for the unique challenges its residents face.
Unified by Resilience, Empowered by Partnership. A message from our CEO.
In the heart of coastal West Marin, the West Marin Fund exemplifies thoughtful philanthropy and community collaboration. Their commitment to addressing local needs by using their resources to fill gaps has strengthened the social fabric of West Marin. As a key partner in our efforts, the Fund demonstrates the power of collective action to create lasting change.
On Monday, August 19th, we welcomed Richard Raya as our new CEO, ushering in a new chapter of leadership and vision. Richard brings a deep personal connection to our mission…
