CCF-LA News | April 16, 2024 | |
Time to Help Our Neighborhoods in Need | |
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Kathy Anderson
President and Executive Director
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Rain, rain, go away!
Our Southern California communities have been drenched this year in rainfall that is more than many years combined in decades. During this record rainy season, many of our friends and neighbors have dealt with leaks in their homes, land erosion, fallen trees, flooding, and accidents from slippery roads. At the same time, tens of thousands of homeless people were displaced from tents to temporary in-door housing, food lines were longer, and families had to make choices around costly repairs, utility bills, and groceries.
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As the nursery rhyme goes, “Come again, another day." Rain is welcome in southern California, bringing clear skies, greener parks, fresh air, and cozy stay-at-home evenings. Rain brings hope through new growth, through cleaning our environment, and by making us more cautious in navigating our freeways and local streets.
For the homeless and hungry, rain brings more challenges. Let us be mindful of supporting food banks and shelters that help our communities cope as we recover from this record year of rainfall. We have many funds that benefit social services, and a few are highlighted in this newsletter.
There are lessons to be learned from this extra-rainy year: keep up home repairs, maintain vehicle servicing, make sure to have rainwear on hand, and have a backup plan if you live in an area that can be impacted by mudslides and flash flooding. Let’s not forget that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, and we can help our neighbors and local communities recover by choosing to support those in need.
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Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Cardinal McIntyre Fund
Provision of food, shelter, one-time assistance to families in crises
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Housing Fund
Buildings and Infrastructure, Homelessness, Hunger and Housing
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles
Social Services
Dolores Mission, The Guadalupe Homeless Project
Ensuring that our homeless has a safe place and a hot meal
Good Shepard Shelter
For mothers and children impacted by domestic violence
Presentation Learning Center Surplus
Courses and programs for immigrants
Right to Life League of Southern California
Healthcare, Family Services and Shelters
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Donate for Thrift Stores
Social Services, Catholic Ministries
St. Joseph Movement for a Better World
Homelessness, Hunger and Housing
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Grants Helping Social Services
As rain falls in Southern California, our communities confront tests of resilience and compassion. We recognize this year's unusual rainfall for its beauty and challenges. In Client Services, we're a steadfast pillar of support, ensuring swift aid delivery. Over the past three years, grants have surged from $50 million in 2021 to a record-breaking $85 million in 2023, with a proportional increase in support for social services. These funds are crucial for our homeless, hungry, and vulnerable neighbors.
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Tania Naaman
Director of Client Services
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Our commitment extends beyond numbers; i's about making a tangible difference in people's lives. With a sense of urgency, we prioritize quick turnarounds, processing grants within 2 to 3 business days upon request. This rapid response enables our partners on the ground to address immediate needs, whether it's providing shelter, food, or essential services.
In the face of adversity, our solidarity shines through. Just as the rain nurtures growth and fosters resilience, our collective efforts uplift those navigating the storm. Together, we embrace the spirit of compassion and service, embodying the values of the Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles.
As we navigate the challenges brought forth by nature's elements, let us stand united in our commitment to support those most in need. In every raindrop, there's an opportunity for renewal and transformation. Together, let's make a difference, one act of kindness at a time.
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Jimmy Ozaeta
Vice President of Development
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Reaching Out to Parishes to Benefit Their Communities
During the first quarter, our team opened 7 new charitable fund accounts. The charitable funds range from Donor-Advised to Designated to Scholarships, which are all types of funds that CCF-LA offers to include both the administration of the grants and the management of their investments.
Each new fund or relationship starts with a recommendation from someone who knows us and is usually a fan based on their own experience. When we meet with an individual or organizational client, we get to know their philanthropic interests, their gifting strategy, and their long-term goals. For individuals, that means a lifetime of philanthropy, and for organizations, it’s about balancing program needs with endowed funding.
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In building our community of philanthropists, one area of common ground is great love for the mission of our Catholic church, which includes our parishes, schools, and ministries, and those who are aligned with our faith-based mission. It’s a daunting task to get the word out to 288 parishes in five regions that cover the map from Lompoc to Long Beach and Santa Monica to Claremont. The Development Committee of the Board is essential to guiding our development strategy and making connections. | |
March Performance Financial Market Updates | |
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The March 2024 Performance Report for the pooled funds managed by CCF-LA reflect the Balanced Pool portfolio returned +2.60%, net of fees. The Intermediate Fund pool returned +0.77% and the estimated annual yield on the Short-Term Investment Fund account is currently +5.02%.
While stock indices extended their rally through March, results in April have so far been a different story as inflation heated up. While the US economy is fundamentally strong, inflation and geopolitical events are influencing the stability of financial markets here and abroad. This is an election year, adding more uncertainty.
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Armando Nevarez
Controller and Assistant Treasurer
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During March, the S&P 500 Index added +3.2%, and international equities, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index, kept pace with domestic markets and closed the month up +3.3%. In Fixed Income, the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index gained +0.9% for the month.
We continue to actively review performance with our Investment Committee with the strategy that diversification is key to achieving good results. Staying the course is particularly important in the Balanced Pool during these time since endowment spending is committed to a long-term strategy. The Intermediate Funds and STIF options are provided for shorter term spending horizons. Please call me if you have any questions
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The appreciation lunch was hosted by Bill Shaw for all of the individuals and their organizations that worked so diligently over the last 18 months to bring the ADLA Housing Alliance, a 501c3, into existence. On hand were Rodrigo Gonzalez, board president, and Amy Anderson, Executive Director, along with several board members, including Joe Womac of the Specialty Family Foundation. Rodrigo and Joe provided introductions for all present, noting their specific contributions to the efforts: Jim Evans (retired Capital Group), Elias Rodrigues (Deodate Real Estate Consultants), Carol Rowe (Specialty Family Foundation), Kate Anderson (LA County Center for Strategic Partnerships) and Paul Escala (Department of Catholic Schools). We missed John and Cindy Smet, who were out of town and were part of the original founding group for this effort. CCF-LA helped during the IRS approval process and manages funds raised for this initiative. The Alliance will be working to repurpose unused properties to provide affordable housing. | | | |
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Kindergarteners Experience the Solar Eclipse
The 5 and 6-year-olds at a local Catholic parish school got to experience the solar eclipse in their science class. They had protective glasses and made special hats to get ready for the excitement of watching the natural phenomenon.
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Mission Statement
The Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles empowers charitable individuals and organizations across cultures and generations through professional philanthropy management solutions that allow clients to develop and sustain their philanthropy in support of Catholic values.
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