MID-YEAR NEWSLETTER

Meet LCF's CEO!

Hello Lodi friends and neighbors, 

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially stepped into the role of the Lodi Community Foundation’s first CEO — an incredible milestone for both our growing foundation and our community. 

Many of you may know me through volunteering, attending local events, supporting our small businesses, or from my time serving on the Lodi Community Foundation board over the past three years. I'm also a proud Leadership Lodi alum and have spent the last five years at the San Joaquin Community Foundation, most recently serving as interim CEO. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, I’ve developed a deep passion for community-led philanthropy and have seen firsthand the impact we can make when we come together with purpose. 

Community foundations matter because they belong to all of us — they bring people together, respond to local needs at the grassroots level, and turn generosity into lasting, positive change right here at home. The very first community foundation was created in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914 to offer a permanent, community-governed way for people to pool their charitable resources to meet evolving local needs — not just for today, but for generations to come. 

Thanks to the vision and generosity of this community — and to the enduring legacies of people like Darrell Drummond, Sheila Wishek, and others — Lodi now has a community foundation built to serve passionate, community-minded donors and nonprofits, and to uplift our region where the needs are greatest. 

In the years ahead, the Lodi Community Foundation will focus on establishing a strong, sustainable presence, launching impactful grantmaking and programs, and working hand in hand with nonprofits, local leaders, and residents to create a more connected and resilient community for all. 

I look forward to getting to know many more of you and working together to shape a vibrant future for Lodi. 

Warmly, 

Louis Ponick 

CEO, Lodi Community Foundation 

CLICK HERE to read the full press release about Louis’s appointment.

Celebrating a Record-Breaking 209GIVES! 

This year’s 209GIVES, held on April 29, 2025, raised a record-breaking amount in support of local nonprofits. A heartfelt thank you and congratulations to all the organizations that participated — and a big thank you to our generous community and donors who made this special day of giving back such a success. 

We’re proud to share that the following organizations received 209GIVES matching gifts totaling $12,775 from the Lodi Community Foundation: 

• Changing Faces Theater Company 
• Giving Opportunities to Kids (GOT Kids) Foundation 
• Hospice of San Joaquin 
• LOEL Foundation 
• Lodi Arts Foundation 
• Lodi Boys & Girls Club 
• Lodi House 
• Lodi Public Library Foundation 
• One-Eighty Programs 
• PREVAIL 
• San Joaquin County Historical Museum 
• The Salvation Army, Lodi Corps & Hope Harbor Shelter 
• Valley Community Orchestra 
• World of Wonders Science Museum, Inc. 

Thank you again to everyone who helped make 209GIVES such a memorable and impactful event. 

For updates, more information, and to get involved next year, visit: www.209gives.org 

Local Grant Opportunities Now Open or Coming Soon!

We’re excited to share several current and upcoming grant opportunities available to support local nonprofits and community-based organizations. Be sure to review the details and deadlines below — and don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay informed about new funding announcements and resources! 

Lodi Community Foundation – 2025 Grants Program  

• Opens: September 1, 2025 
• Closes: October 10, 2025 
• Check our website and follow us for the latest updates on this grant! 

Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation Mini Grants 

• Opens: August 6, 2025 
• Closes: September 24, 2025 
• CLICK HERE to learn more 

San Joaquin County Grants 

• Opened: July 1, 2025 
• Closes: July 31, 2025 
• CLICK HERE to learn more  

Welcome Cecilia Madary, Our Marketing Intern!

My name is Cecilia Madary, and I am excited to join the Lodi Community Foundation as its Marketing Intern this summer. My family lives in Lodi, and I graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in Stockton in 2023. Currently, I am a Junior at the University of California, San Diego, studying International Business and Design. I look forward to learning more about the incredible work Community Foundations do, as well as supporting the initiatives of the Lodi Community Foundation! 

Want to Get Involved or Learn More?

Whether you're passionate about supporting local nonprofits, creating opportunities for future generations, or simply want to stay connected with what's happening in our community, there are many ways to engage with the Lodi Community Foundation. Join our email list, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and help spread the word.  

Interested in making a deeper impact? Consider opening a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), Field of Interest Fund (FOI), Designated Fund, or Scholarship Fund. If you're thinking about how to leave a lasting legacy for Lodi or its surrounding areas, we’d love to connect and explore how we can help bring your vision to life. 

Contact us at info@LodiCF.org or call our office at (209) 400-7192. We look forward to working together to uplift and strengthen our community—now and forever.