SPOTLIGHT ON NONPROFITS
Foundation offers grants

The annual grants program of the Ventura County Community Foundation's Women's Legacy Fund is underway. The deadline to submit grant proposals is 5 p.m. Thurs., May 15.

The foundation's Women's Legacy Fund is an endowed grantmaking fund to support programs focused on the economic, physical, emotional, social, artistic and personal growth of women and girls in Ventura County.

A total of $66,000 is available this year, and grants in any amount up to a maximum of $10,000 will be considered.

This year's two grantmaking priorities are:

•Domestic violence prevention and service programs

•Education, training and economic opportunities for women and girls

The grants committee encourages collaborative programs and those where funds can be leveraged for matching funds and inkind services.

An informational meeting for potential applicants is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Mon., April 14 in the community room at VCCF, 1317 Del Norte Road, Ste. 150, Camarillo.

To make reservations for the meeting, call (805) 988-0196 or e-mail lford@vccf.org.

For more information, visit www.vccf.org/ fundingcycles.html#wlf.

United Way makes money available

United Way of Ventura County is accepting Letters of Intent for funding in the Self Sufficiency Focus Area, one of four areas supported by the United Way through its Community Impact direction.

Nonprofits seeking funding for programs must address one or more of the following outcomes:

•increase the number of youth with basic job skills needed to be prepared for the work force

•increase the number of lowwage individuals eligible for public and private benefits that access those benefits

•increase the number of lowwage individuals and families building savings and/or gaining assets, particularly through the use of mainstream financial services

About $300,000 is available. Annual funding amounts will range from $10,000 to $75,000.

Selected programs will be funded for three years beginning in fiscal year 2008-09 with funding renewable in fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11 upon demonstration of success in addressing the stated outcomes.

Letters of Intent are due at United Way Ventura County by 5 p.m. Fri., April 4.

To download a letter of intent, visit www.vcunitedway.org.

Letters of intent are also available from Nancy Older at nolder@vcunitedway.org, or call (805) 485-6288, ext. 227.

For more information, call Susan Englund at (805) 485-6288, ext. 226.

Habitat for Humanity turns 25

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is celebrating 25 years of helping one family at a time realize the benefits of homeownership.

Celebrations are planned throughout the year to commemorate the work that volunteers and supporters in the community have accomplished. From the board of directors to the volunteers in the ReStore and on the work sites, the Habitat community is responsible for providing safe, decent and affordable housing for 44 low-income families in Ventura County.

Prior to its first land donation from Charles Henderson in 1993, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County exclusively repaired homes for low-income households and seniors. Close to 500 homes have been repaired and rehabilitated in the community.

Since 1993, Habitat has focused its attention on new construction of affordable homes. Three singlefamily homes are under construction in Simi Valley, and projects are in the planning stages in Oxnard, Santa Paula and Thousand Oaks.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. Volunteers provide labor to build the houses, which are sold to low- and very-low-income families at no profit, with no interest charged. The organization is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Give blood

United Blood Services is holding a Marie Callender's Blood Drive. Through April 12, every blood donor will receive a certificate for a free whole pie from Marie Callender's.

Donations may be made Monday through Friday at the UBS Center at 1756 Eastman Ave. at Market Street in Ventura; Mondays and Wednesdays at 2105 Pickwick Drive across from the post office in Camarillo; and Tuesdays and Thursdays in the North Star Plaza at 1321 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

Appointments are appreciated but not necessary.

To make an appointment, call (800) 715-3699 or visit www.unitedbloodservices.org.