Must! A new charity focuses on improving North County lives
A new charity focuses on improving North County lives
Must! Charities
Becky Grey
The term “it takes a village,” is an important and relevant concept in small communities like the North County. Must! Charities uses an idea similar to this and their mission, according to their most recent press release, is, “improving quality of life in San Luis Obispo’s North County by offering hope, compassion and resources to those in need. Instead of giving charitable ‘handouts,’ Must! Charities walks alongside other local organizations to create long-term, sustainable transformation within the region.”
Must! Charities aims to work with local nonprofit organizations like the Boys and Girls Club in order to make sure the organization has proper funding, leadership and provides amazing opportunity for the youth of the North County. Must! Charities created a two year partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the North San Luis Obispo County in order to help the organization find a CEO as well as, outlined in their press release, “take the club to the next level of growth and ultimately service more youth in the community.”
Must! looks to aid other nonprofits in the area and in its literature explains, “Specifically, Must! Charities supports local nonprofits with financial resources, expertise and the leverage of other partnerships. It unites community organizations and influencers to communicate and work together towards common goals. The organization focuses on root problems, not just symptoms.”
Must! Charities is comprised of thirty-six partners (the initial six partners serve as the executive board). Executive Director Becky Grey explains, “Our donors are our “partners” and are composed of people who care about our community and are willing to make a difference. We call them partners because that’s just what they are, a part of a collaborative effort. Just as a community is made up of diversity; so are our partners. We have families who want to be involved so they can teach their kids what it’s like to be a part of a big movement, local businesses who have committed to giving as a way they do business, and foundations who wanted to make must! charities as part of their giving portfolio. The bottom line is that anyone can be a partner if they are willing to donate.” Grey adds, “We feel very strongly that ANYONE can be a philanthropist at any age. Some people in our community might be able to give big, and some small… but when we join together we can make a very big impact in our community.”
The term “Must” is derived from winemaking with must being the freshly pressed juice, the first step in winemaking and in the case of the Must! Charities, the first step in making a difference in the community. Must! Charities looks to help out other organizations in the area in the future. In 2013, Grey says, “Our plan is not to put on events, but rather support & promote on-going events. Currently we have been the beneficiary for a few events, and have a few more lined up in 2013.” With an organization like Must! Charities, more North County nonprofits stand to succeed and in turn, our community will strengthen.
By Brandi Stansbury–Access Publishing
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