Community Development
The Community Foundation of Merced County recognizes the critical importance of making significant investments in workforce and community development to foster thriving families.
To date, the Foundation has granted over $2 million to programs aimed at broadening access to educational and training opportunities. In addition, $1.5 million has been granted for directly enriching the community, supporting initiatives in animal welfare, veterans’ services, agricultural innovations, and the arts.
The data
11.9% countywide unemployment rate
5.3% California unemployment
3.9% National unemployment
21.9% countywide poverty rate
12.3% California poverty rate
11.6% National poverty rate
4th highest unemployment in the state
Our commitment
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As a member of the Steering Committee for the North Valley Thrive Initiative, CFMC is dedicated to expanding opportunities and strategically investing in the greater Merced region.
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The Foundation is poised to serve as an affordable solution for housing, industrial development, and state rail expansion
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We commit to prioritizing the preservation of the environment and cultural traditions of the communities we serve.
Silkroad Ensemble
Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that despite rapid globalization resulting in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he recognized the historical Silk Road as a cultural collaboration model–for exchanging ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders.
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In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a new artistic idiom: a musical language founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world.
This initial gathering of artists was rooted in a simple question: “What happens when strangers meet?” Thus, Silkroad was born as both a touring ensemble comprised of world-class musicians from all over the globe and a social impact organization working to make a positive impact across borders through the arts.
UC Merced, Merced Symphony, and Amtrack San Joaquins partnered with CFMC to host a three-day residency with world-class musicians who collaborated with local historians. The goal of this collaboration was to highlight untold stories and amplify unheard voices of Merced during the construction of the American Railroad system, ultimately retelling how the settlement of Merced transformed into the city it is today. Through music, Merced County residents explored the journey of laborers and their various cultures - indigenous, Chinese, and Irish- and how they worked together to build the transportation system that linked our country.
Martinez Boxing
Martinez Boxing honors equity and inclusion through physical activity by providing access to girls and boys across all communities. The core values taught by Martinez Boxing include respect, discipline, communication, and self-defense with a primary focus on tying physical activity to mental health. Founded by John Martinez, physical training complements the importance of studies to enhance school opportunities for Merced County youth. Martinez Boxing boasts two female boxers ranked #1 in the Nation.
Steady Studios
Steady Studios’ mission is to bridge the digital divide in lower socioeconomic communities by providing STEAM-focused courses for students. Through innovative teaching methods and hands-on experiences, they create an inclusive learning environment that promotes creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. By engaging learners of all ages and backgrounds, they seek to cultivate a future generation equipped with the tools to excel in the digital economy.