History

The Berkeley Community Fund Awards were awarded to individuals and organizations who were applying creative and successful strategies to address some of the most pressing issues and challenges in Berkeley. These awards recognized accomplishments that furthered any aspect of the Fund’s mission to increase the success of youth, promote social justice, and reduce poverty. In making these awards, we acknowledged recent achievements and, in the case of organizations, the prospects for continued success and long term sustainability.

New Focus

In keeping with the Berkeley Community fund’s new focus on 4-year college scholarships for Berkeley High graduates of promise, the BCF awards are given to an individual and an organization that have made a significant impact on public education in Berkeley. In addition we continue the tradition of awarding the honored organization an unrestricted grant of $5,000 to assist in its continued work. Nominated organizations must have current 501(c)(3) tax status, or a fiscal sponsor.

Nominate this year’s candidates here!

Prior Award Winners:

• 1994 Mary Friedman, Dr. Salvador Murillo, The Berkeley Public Education Foundation
• 1995 Jules Mayer, Nikki Williams, KPFA Radio, The Vera M. Casey Center
• 1996 Henrik Blum, Lillian Rabinowitz, Berkeley League of Women Voters, In Dulci Jublio
• 1997 Arden Clute & Cathy Lynch, Margaret Stuart Graupner, Berkeley Boosters, Berkeley Dispute Resolution Service
• 1998 Mercedes Saunders, Frances Townes, Bay Area Hispanic Institute of Advancement, Inc.
• 1999 Gerald Baptiste, Alice S. Hamburg, La Pena Cultural Center, Young Musicians Program, Friends of the Marin Fountain and Walk
• 2000 Carolyn North, Harry Dov Weininger, Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program, The New Bridge Foundation
• 2001 Thelette A. Bennett, Regina Minudri, Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency
• 2002 Father Bill O’Donnell, Willie Phillips, Ecology Center, Family Violence Law Center
• 2003 Schuyler Bailey, Shirley Richardson-Brower, Rosa Parks Community Collaborative, Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center
• 2004 Ricky Ayers, Barbara Oliver, Berkeley Free Clinic, East Bay Community Law Center
• 2005 Martha Cueva, Jill Ellis, LifeLong Medical Care, Sports4Kids
• 2006 George McDaniel (Special Recognition), Arlene Sagan, Douglas Fielding, The Bread Project, Youth Together
• 2007 Michael Hannigan, Mansour Id-Deen, Berkeley Chess School, Berkeley Food and Housing Project
• 2008 Marisita Jarvis, Downtown Berkeley-Albany YMCA—Y-Scholars Program
• 2009 Chef Ann Cooper, Stiles Hall—Berkeley Scholars to Cal Program