Working Together to Strengthen Our Communities
Collective Philanthropy for a Stronger Eastern Sierra
Working Together to Strengthen Our Communities
An Initiative to Explore a Community Foundation Model in the Eastern Sierra
We are exploring the possibility of establishing a regional community foundation to serve the Eastern Sierra – Inyo and Mono Counties.
This website supports our collaborative planning process. It is designed to share information, provide updates, and invite community engagement as we evaluate the feasibility of a community foundation model for Eastern Sierra.
This is a community conversation.
We are here to listen, learn, and assess what is possible – together.
Purpose
What is a Community Foundation and Why are We Considering this Model?
Like a carefully woven nest, community foundations provide a nurturing structure that supports community resiliency, responsiveness and success.
Rural communities across the country often receive a smaller share of philanthropic and public funding than urban areas. At the same time, our nonprofit organizations are stretched thin and are striving to meet growing community needs from Tecopa to Topaz.
From early conversations in the Eastern Sierra, we’ve heard that a community foundation could:
- Strengthen coordination and collaboration among nonprofits
- Build a stronger regional voice
- Attract and manage outside funding
- Create permanent local endowments
- Ensure funds are distributed thoughtfully and equitably across the region
- Sustain regional nonprofit capacity
- Be responsive to emerging community needs, including disaster preparedness, response and recovery
What a Community Foundation is Not
A community foundation adds local civic capacity rather than competing for existing resources. It exists to support the good work that is already happening and grow the resources available to support our communities.
Planning Process
What is the Planning Process?
A group of regional leaders, nonprofit partners, and community champions are exploring whether a community foundation model is needed and additive to the communities in the Eastern Sierra.
As part of the collaborative feasibility planning process and assessment we are asking:
- What challenges could a community foundation help address?
- Does our region have the leadership and philanthropic capacity to support one?
- What model would best serve our communities?
No final decisions have been made. The goal of this phase is to gather information, engage interest holders, and determine if there is support for and benefit to standing up a community foundation model in the Eastern Sierra region.
How We Got Here
For years, community members have talked about the opportunity to strengthen local philanthropy in Eastern Sierra. With over 95% of California communities currently being supported by community foundations, we believe now is our time.
In April 2025, regional leaders gathered for a convening titled “Investing in Our Shared Future: A Community Foundation for the Eastern Sierra.”
Following that conversation, partners secured a Sierra Jobs First Catalyst Grant to explore feasibility.
This planning process began in Fall 2025 and runs through August 2026.
April 2025 Convening
“Investing in Our Shared Future: A Community Foundation for the Eastern Sierra”
33 Participants
Agreement to Pursue Sierra Jobs First Catalyst Grant
Summer 2025
Sierra Jobs First Catalyst Grant Secured
Award to Explore Feasibility of Standing Up a Community Foundation
Fall 2025
Project Team Begins Work
All Board Meeting
Feasibility Meet and Greet Core Team
Initial Discovery
January – April 2026
Feasibility and Readiness Assessment
Monthly Feasibility Steering Committee
Community Conversations
May – August 2026
Decision on Pathway Forward
Community Conversations
2000 – Today
Community Conversations and Champions
Leadership
Core Team
This planning effort is guided by a collaborative team that includes:
- Eastern Sierra Foundation
- Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation
- Inyo County
- Mono County
- Regional nonprofit and community leaders
Agnew::Beck Consulting provides consulting support.
Feasibility Steering Committee
The Feasibility Steering Committee serves as a recommending body and as ambassadors to the broader community.
The committee plays an important role in:
- Providing input on readiness assessment activities
- Advising on program development to meet community needs
- Exploring possible organizational models
- Recommending a path forward
Feasibility Steering Committee members represent nonprofits, foundations, local government, donors, and community stakeholders across the region.
- Eastern Sierra Council of Governments
- Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center
- Eastern Sierra Foundation
- Eastern Sierra Land Trust
- Eastside Student Center
- Visit Bishop
- Inyo County
- Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
- Mono County
- Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce / Mammoth Community Foundation
- Mammoth Lakes Hospital Foundation
- Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation
- Mono Arts Council
Meetings and Resources
Upcoming Meetings
- March 25, 2026 (info coming soon)
Past Meetings
- Info coming soon