The Need for Charitable Nonprofits
Go behind the scenes at Must!, meet new board members, get project updates, and learn about upcoming events.
2023 Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Impact Report
Check out the Vineyard Team's 2023 Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Impact Report.
Q and A with Becky Gray
Our Executive Director answers questions about the foundation of Must! Charities.
Gratitude & Gifting
We are thankful for you! Take an inside look at a recent project – the Juan Nevrez Memorial Scholarship and the impact that investing in education has.
Asking the Difficult Questions
An inside look into impactful investing with Tolosa Children's Dental Clinic, updates on TMHA's Central Coast Hotline, Donor Appreciation Spotlights, and our 2022 Impact Report.
New Project Announcement
Investing in Leadership with Youth Arts, an update with Creston B&GC, and PURPOSE highlights!
Project Updates and Milestones
Recent project updates on our $100k Out of the Box Investment, the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship, Navigating Challenging Dialogue, and more.
Transitions Mental Health Association Project Impact!
A look at why we got involved with Transitions Mental Health Association and startling data about our community needs...
$100K INVESTED IN PROGRESSIVE INITIATIVES WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
A total of $100,000 was invested into organizations on the Central Coast serving the needs of our community's greatest resource: our people.
New Project Announcement! - 2023 Storm Damage Relief
addressing the urgent needs of local nonprofits so they can continue to serve our community with minimal disruption
Wrapping up Year 10 With Must! Charities
We hit some goals, knocked some out of the park, and are still working on a few.
1 Project Complete + Team Member Spotlight + More Project Updates
Plus, the launch of our Season of Gratitude.
$2.5M Raised at Must! Charities' Party with a PURPOSE
PURPOSE Event Ascends Ranks of Country’s Top Grossing Wine Auctions
Golf Tournament Raises $100,000
$100K Golf Tournament + Summer Field Trip Smiles + New "Randy" on the Block
Major Strides in Crisis Call Center Project
In April, we kicked off our 21st Century Crisis Call Center project with Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA). Comprised of multiple phases to better meet the mental health needs in our community, in just two months, it is incredible what YOUR investment has done thus far.
Did You See Our Teens Fundraise for Kids' Summer Programs?
Youth Board Led Fundraiser Brings Summer Field Trips to our Region
Youth Board Donates More Than Money
Aspiring philanthropists and community advocates, the MUST! Charities Youth Board not only researched organizations that are providing services to those in need; but also, sought out volunteer opportunities to see for themselves what the front line is like at area organizations.
New Project: Boys & Girls Club in Creston
Another ambitious partnership with the Boys and Girls Club
VETERAN'S DAY RIPPLE EFFECT
Meet Floyd: veteran, single dad, motivational being, and an all around good human...
Every Burrito, Gallon + Penny Makes a Difference
It's Good to Give + Vetting Organizations + Legislative Win - October 2021
Give Where You Live + PURPOSE Video + Success Story - September 2021
We still get chills as we relive the magic of PURPOSE - the power of collective giving raised $1.3M for our region. Let's do it again in August 2022, shall we? But first, one more look at the magic...
$1.3M Generated at Inaugural PURPOSE - August 2021
Wine industry and business leaders from all over the country came together at Must! Charities’ PURPOSE event with a shared passion to give back—and give back they did—to the tune of $1,300,000.
New Website + New Partners + Project Update - July 2021
CHECK IT OUT: Our new website was made possible because of our collaboration with Clever Concepts who, by the way, have been partners of must! charities since our inception. Like others in our community, they gave BIG this year and we are loving the new site!
Because of You: Jaden + Maggie Lives Transformed - June 2021
Read about our latest success stories, those partners who gave big, and how our Collaborative Contributors continue to learn about social issues in our community.
Must! Charities Is Moving - June 2021
Just down the street, we are thrilled to have room to grow and space to collaborate.
Friends Who Are Transforming Lives - May 2021
We are incredibly grateful to the community we live in, the community who continues to give to others, the community who is helping to transform lives. It has been so rewarding to get back out and see everyone again.
Because of YOU, we make a difference every day and it feels great to celebrate each of you!
YOUTH BOARD, SUCCESS STORY, HIGH FIVE - APRIL 2021
must! charities' Youth Board is a group of local high school students making a positive difference through collaboration and dedication, learning about local social needs, organizations serving those needs, and their responsibility to make a difference for those less fortunate.
VIRTUAL TOUR: COMMUNITY KITCHEN & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER - March 2021
What started as a kitchen renovation for El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) is now a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen space for future use as a training and workforce development center. A $385,000 investment in our community and its people not only provides a gathering place for the community, but also an opportunity to train residents and others in the community culinary skills.
KIDS JOG AND READ THEIR WAY TO $40,000 - March 2021
Plus local heroes give where they live and technology arrives for Camino Scholars!
WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS - February 2021
Recent heroes, success stories and project update on People's Self-Help Housing.
DID YOU SEE THESE SUCCESS STORIES? - January 2021
They were both laid off from their restaurant jobs at the same time. Carlos has since returned part-time , but without tips and without a second income, they are struggling. Because of YOU, case managers provided rental assistance so the Garcias and their 5-month old remain housed.
VIDEO: INSPIRATION + RESILIENCE - January 2021
We recently launched a $228,000 project with People's Self-Help Housing to bring their Camino Scholars program to the Rolling Hills Apartment Complex in Templeton. Camino Scholars is a site-based program that supports educational growth and enrichment for children.
Below is a story of inspiration and resilience - it is stories like these that inspired must! charities to collaborate with People's Self-Help Housing.
We hope one day soon, with your help, we will be sharing similar stories from our Templeton collaboration.
GRATITUDE + HOLIDAY GREETINGS - December 2020
Thank you for the gift of hope.
Because of YOU, we are able to build the new. A new way of giving where every dollar is needed, every dollar is important. Just as every life is needed, every life is important.
And despite the challenges faced this year, your investment in must! charities has enabled us to do the work that needs to be done so that lives are transformed and a stronger community is built.
For now, gratitude.
BIG HEARTS, BIG SUPPORT AMONG DIFFICULT TIMES - December 2020
This year has had its challenges, and in the last week those have become even more magnified. White at times, it seems insurmountable. we believe, through seeing the kindness and compassion of our community, that we will perservere. And to do so we need hope.
So today we offer hope. And good news. And big hearts.
CHECK PRESENTATIONS, GRATITUDE, COVID SUCCESS STORY
Because of YOU, and our friends we celebrate above, we are able to invest in local non-profits, allowing them to build capacity, develop strong foundations, and completely transform to address community needs. We have a lot of fun this time of year touring the region toasting to those who invest, but the meaning behind their selflessness and sense of community is never lost on us.
HEROES + SNEAK PEAK + FRIDAY ON THE FRONT LINE
Because of you, our heroes, must! charities has committed over $2.5 million to addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness, education and the impacts of a pandemic. CELEBRATE with us as we recognize some of our heroes. Because of you, we are making a difference.
SPREAD THE WORD: TOOLS TO PROMOTE PEOPLE'S SELF HELP HOUSING
As you know, we launched our $228,000 project last week with People's Self-Help Housing. We are THRILLED to help bring a site-based program to Templeton that supports educational growth and enrichment for low-income families. We would love Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter abuzz with excitement over the project.
NEW PROJECT: People's Self-Help Housing
Camino Scholars, managed by People's Self-Help Housing is a site-based learning program. TODAY marks the two-year launch of the first such program in Templeton that supports educational growth and enrichment for low-income families. Over two years, this $228,000 project will positively impact the youth and families in your community.
COVID-19 UPDATE. WHAT IS HAPPENING AT MUST! CHARITIES
We have been getting a lot of questions about what must! has been doing to address the pandemic and whether the current crisis demands immediate action. Some updates are as follows:
GOODBYE 2019. HELLO 2020.
we wrapped up 2019 with a pretty bow on top... looking at the data we are so proud of our project partners. They are doing the hard work and the data shows it!
NEW PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT - August 2019
must! charities in partnership with Shandon Unified School District and Boys & Girls Club of the Mid Central Coast is pleased to announce: A BOYS & GIRLS CLUB IN SHANDON
IMPACT REPORT RELEASED - July 2019
Our latest Impact Report is hot off the presses. We produce this report on an annual basis. We'd love for you to learn more about us. Read all about it and view the digital version here.
FACT FINDING TOUR & MORE - May 2019
“As we entered our seventh year we realized we need to continue to expand our educational component and increase knowledge of what organizations are doing to better our community..." --Becky Gray, must! charities Executive Director
NEW GIFT ANNOUNCEMENT - February 2019
“We are very pleased with the approval and thankful to must! charities for funding a very important renovation to ECHO,” says Wendy Lewis, President/CEO, “Our kitchen has been in need of updating for several years, and the opportunity to create something more efficient in addition to providing more services to those we serve is a tremendous step forward.”
THE WHYS OF MUST! CHARITIES - October 2018
It's an ever changing world where we are subject to a steady stream of images, words, opinions (like this one), and chatter. Not all of it is positive. Which is why this article, "Five Ways to Restore Your Faith in Humanity" hit home for us.
ECHO AND MUST: THIS IS OUR STORY - August 2018
Northern San Luis Obispo County has just ONE homeless shelter, ECHO (El Camino Homeless Organization). Not only does this shelter stand out geographically alone in a region; it also stands out as one of a kind in the way it operates. At ECHO they empower those they serve to achieve self-sufficiency it’s not a hand out, it’s a hand up – sound familiar?
YOUTH BOARD IN ACTION - June 2018
must! charities' Youth Board is a group of local high school students making a positive difference through collaboration and dedication. Known as leaders on their campus, they display a willingness to serve to make a difference for those less fortunate. See what these amazing youth accomplished over the past year by coming together and collectively giving back to their community.
CASA AND MUST: THIS IS OUR STORY - May 2018
In 2016, CASA of San Luis Obispo County was serving 60 of the 180 children in Northern SLO County that were in the jurisdiction of the court. Since then, they have served 139 children with 50 CASA Volunteer Advocates in the North County.
HOPE FAMILY WINES GOLF TOURNEY - May 2018
100% of the proceeds benefit must! charities! The Golf Tournament is all about having fun and raising money for a great North San Luis Obispo County charity. There will be plenty of food, drinks and shenanigans as you and your team drive, pitch and putt your way through the scenic Paso Robles Golf Club. Prizes will be awarded for 1st Place, Most Mediocre and Last Place, so there's no need to register a handicap for this tournament.
WHY AND HOW: MUST! VETTING PROCESS - April 2018
Vetting an organization is one of the most important steps when determining who to partner with. We are forming a relationship with the organization. We are building trust and accountability. We are looking at opportunities to increase the effectiveness and impact of the organization overall.
Donor Appreciation Party Thank You - March 2018
On Saturday, we celebrated our donors who empower must! charities to continue its mission of serving the greatest social need in Northern San Luis Obispo County.
For those of you who were not able to join us, here is a brief overview..
PROJECT UPDATES - February 2018
ECHO strategic planning, CASA celebrates success, Boys and Girls Club Board Seat and End of Year Financials - read the latest!
GRATITUDE & HOLIDAY GREETINGS - December 2017
As the Holidays are upon us, we can't help but be grateful for our must! donors this year. Because of you, we have been able to positively impact thousands of lives right here in North SLO County! 100% of your donations to must! charities are invested directly back into the community in a way that is strategic and well thought out. Rest assured your gifts are 100% tax deductible and are creating transformational change in our own backyard.
ANNUAL REPORT - July 2017
n five years, we have committed $1.5M toward partnerships with El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County, Food Bank of SLO County, and The Boys and Girls Club of North San Luis Obispo County. One of our key tenants is to remain 100% transparent. As part of that tenant, we wish to share our latest annual report and share with you our successes of our collaborations.
MUST MAKE A DIFFERENCE - August 2017
Two Thumbs Up...
for events on the horizon benefiting must! charities. Check your calendars and get ready for some fun.
SUMMERTIME EVENTS - June 2017
Summertime makes me want to get out and do things. Below are some upcoming events that benefit must! charities.
Here's to booking up your calendar with fun, worth-while events!
~ Becky
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECOGNIZE MUST - May 2017
We are thrilled that the County Board of Supervisors will be recognizing must! charities for all the work that has been done in the north county the past 5 years. JOIN us for the Hope Golf Tourney in a few weeks.
NEW PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT - March 2017
Must! Charities is proud to announce a new $500,000 partnership
with El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO), the only homeless shelter serving all of north San Luis
Obispo County.
IMPACT UPDATE - June 2016
The positive press and feedback from community members we have received from investing in these Children's Farmer's Markets has been incredible.
IMPACT UPDATE - April 2016
We recently gifted our millionth dollar into our community as we kicked off our partnership with CASA. We are just scratching the surface when it comes to social issues and areas of need in our community and we will continue to invest in organizations who are servicing those needs.
HOLIDAY WISHES - December 2015
wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season & a happy new year too! Thank you for making must! charities what it is today! Clickable photo...
KZOZ TAKEOVER DAY - December 2015
Listen all day at 93.3 or Live Stream on the internet at www.KZOZ.com. We've had some crazy requests already this morning in the studio... These guys are working hard to access music we have never heard of... it's pretty entertaining!
NEW COLLABORATION: CASA - November 2015
Yesterday, we officially kicked off a four-year collaboration and $262,551 investment with CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates. Must! charities will come along side CASA with financial & business expertise that will allow them to have a greater impact in the region where it is needed most. The goal is to address the current needs of the North County through a four-year recruitment and training plan.
IMPACT UPDATE: REAL FOOD FOR REAL CHILDREN - September 2015
We are wrapping up this collaboration with the Food Bank Coalition This project gave the Food Bank the means to set up a designated Children's Program, which has in-turn opened many doors for the Food Bank, including their recent award of a Feeding America Grant (only 14 given out in the entire country!) The project has been incredibly successful over the past 2 years and we are so ecstatic on the results so far.
IMPACT UPDATE - August 2015
What a gift. Take a look at this incredible story of a successful match between a Big Brother & a Little Brother. This is just one of the many stories we get to see unfold before us daily. Subscribe to our blog to get more stories like this one, including a new personal blog feature about my journey becoming a Big Sister (something I highly recommend for anyone who has a love for kids and a desire to help others).
IMPACT UPDATE: BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS - June 2015
We launched a 4 year commitment with Big Brothers Big Sisters. With our help they were able to open a North County office in Paso Robles. We recently wrote a blog about the project and are excited to let you know in the first quarter alone they have matched 8 Bigs with 8 Littles. Some of those Littles had been on a waiting list for over 2 years.
READ MADYSON'S STORY - February 2015
When you read this story you will have a glimpse at the importance of expanding the Boys and Girls Club into other communities.
YEAR END WRAP UP - December 2014
2014 was another great year at must! charities. Below are some links to our completed or current projects
NEW COLLABORATION: BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS - November 2014
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I want each of our partners to know how thankful I am for YOU! Because of YOU and your commitment to must! charities, I am able to announce that we are kicking off a brand new collaboration project! Together, we are embarking on a 4 year, $253,000 commitment with Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County
MID SUMMER UPDATE - June 2014
This summer we rolled out our first vehicle, as part of our collaboration with the food bank. A year ago, the food bank requested 2 vehicles at the start of our "Real Food for Real Children" project. We encouraged them to wait a bit until they really understood what vehicles would be needed to most efficiently run their programs. They agreed, and were thankful to learn that what they thought they needed, wasn't what they needed at all. After a hectic summer of 2013, piecing a program together, the food bank came to us with a plan, and knew exactly what they needed as far as the size of the truck, refrigeration, etc.
PROJECT UPDATE: BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB - May 2014
I am excited to inform you that last Friday, May 2, 2014 our local club was publicly awarded a National Merit Award from Boys and Girls Club Nationals. The Club was recognized as one of the top performing clubs in the nation, and was recently ranked #2 in small rural clubs running under a $500K budget!
PROJECT UPDATE: REAL FOOD FOR REAL CHILDREN - April 2014
Planning of the 2014 Summer Lunch Sites is well underway, and almost complete. For this summer we have over 14 summer lunch sites scheduled in the Northern Region of San Luis Obispo. At these sites, anyone ages 0-18 years can get a free healthy lunch! We are currently helping The Food Bank Coalition with their marketing and public relations pieces for their Summer Lunch Programs.
NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - February 2014
I am not sure where 2013 went, or even 2012, but here we are at the end of February 2014. We are now over 200 partners strong and growing. Our partners are those who have decided it's worth it to invest their financial resources into the future of our community. We have had partner donations as small as $5 and a partner donation well over $160K. The point is: it doesn't matter what your personal resources look like, or how much you can give; what matters is that you made the decision to give.