Annual Grants Nurture Organizations’ Resiliency and Well-Being

The well-being of communities depends on the people who power its nonprofits, and caring for those caregivers is at the heart of the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation’s CARE Fund. Now accepting applications, the $200,000 annual fund will support the wellness and resilience of nonprofit staff, ensuring organizations can continue to deliver hope and opportunity to children, families, and the broader Contra Costa County community.

The CARE Fund was initially launched in 2024 as a one-time fund marking the Lesher Foundation’s 30th anniversary, awarding $340,000 to 43 nonprofits across the county. The overwhelmingly positive response affirmed both the ongoing need and the value of investing directly in nonprofit staff well-being, prompting the Lesher Foundation to make the CARE Fund a permanent part of its ongoing giving.

“Organizations rooted in the community are essential to addressing tough issues and lifting up Contra Costa residents,” said Steve Lesher, Board President of the Lesher Foundation. “Our family is committed to honoring their wisdom and supporting their strength. When we care for the people who make up our nonprofits, we care for the whole community, and the CARE Fund is an investment in that shared future.”

Supporting nonprofit staff isn’t just about providing funds—it begins with listening to organizations about their core needs. Each grant becomes a tool for genuine engagement that strengthens relationships and builds capacity.

“Our nonprofit partners told us loud and clear that the CARE Fund met a real need,” said Devorah Levine, Executive Director of the Lesher Foundation. “We trust these organizations to know what will sustain their teams, whether that’s a retreat, training or wellness support, and we are proud to provide resources that help them continue their vital work.”

For grantees, the CARE Fund has already been transformative. “The Lesher Foundation’s CARE Fund grant is supporting team building, a health and wellness stipend and professional development,” said Eve Birge, Chief Executive Officer of White Pony Express. “By nurturing our team, we’re reducing burnout and expanding our capacity.”

Online applications will be accepted through November 2, 2025, at lesherfoundation.org/care-fund. Nonprofits serving Contra Costa County residents with a focus on children and families, education, or arts and culture, particularly in underserved or low-income communities, are invited to apply. Grant recipients will be notified in early December 2025.