Addressing the needs of Merced County.
The need.
Merced County shares many of the challenges facing California’s rural counties—including sky rocketing costs of housing, food, and healthcare and the impacts of generational poverty on education and workforce access.
23% of children live in poverty
16% State Average
69% high school graduation rate
83% State Average
0.67 hospital beds per 1,000 residents
2.8 National Average
75% of children in free or reduce lunch programs
58% State Average
57% are on Medicaid
23% State Average
52% of renters are overburdened
The promise.
Unmet needs provide a specific opportunity for CFMC. Merced has a promising future as well as engaged local and regional businesses and nonprofits.
CFMC is the bridge between the challenges facing our county and the resources available to address these challenges. CFMC strategically leverages philanthropic resources to respond to the needs and promises of Merced County. We work with large organizations like the Merced Symphony and the Merced Campus of the University of California as well as smaller, grassroots nonprofit organizations like Lifeline and Gateway Church.
"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.” / Marianne Williamson
