From the majestic heights of Mt. Diablo to the fertile agricultural flatlands of Brentwood and Byron, Contra Costa County is a richly diversified area of California. It encompasses the meandering waterways and shores of the Delta, the thriving business centers of Concord and Walnut Creek, and the small town charm of Danville. It is home to a rapidly emerging high-tech sector in Richmond and the San Ramon business corridor, as well as some of the country's finest produce farms in Brentwood and east county. One of the fastest growing counties in all of California, Contra Costa covers over 730 square miles and is home to just under one million residents.

The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has a clear and simple mission - to enhance the quality of life for the residents of this extraordinary place. Established in 1989, the grants of the Foundation have touched many lives and communities. From computer grants in the schools, to funding for day care centers, homeless shelters, and performing arts venues - the mission of the Lesher Foundation is to support our nonprofit partners and join with them to create a better place. This report details the charitable grants made from 2000 to the present here in Contra Costa County and provides a brief glimpse into our dynamic and energetic nonprofit community. Distributing grants totaling just over $10 million over the past five years, the Lesher Foundation fervently believes in the strength of our partners - those nonprofit organizations who are dedicated to creating a better life for our residents.

As we continue the work of improving Contra Costa, the Lesher Foundation seeks to identify those programs and projects that reflect the service excellence that we believe our residents deserve. From our three focus areas - significant educational support for our young people - a commitment to the visual and performing arts essential to a vibrant and healthy community - and supporting a wide variety of programs to nurture children and strengthen families - we continue to believe that the road towards a better Contra Costa is a journey well worth taking.

Contents

CTAG Grants
Education
Arts
Children & Families
Philanthropy Grants

County Technology Academy Grants are made to K-12 schools throughout Contra Costa County to purchase computer hardware and software for classrooms-and to provide training and professional development for teachers to use technology effectively in curriculum support.

Contra Costa County Office of Education
Pleasant Hill
Multi-year grant for the California Technology Academy Grants (CTAG) program for computer hardware/software in Contra Costa public schools
2000 $244,000
2001 $244,000
2003 $244,000
2004 $210,000

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Antioch Unified School District
ADA (Achievement Depends on Attendance) Program
$7,500

Bidwell Elementary School
Antioch
Arts education classroom support
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000

Big City Mountaineers
Castro Valley
Expansion of the program into Middle College High School in San Pablo
$6,000

Byron Union School District
Byron Educating Students for Tomorrow (BEST) Program
$25,000

California Autism Foundation
Richmond
Therapeutic auditory equipment
$10,000

Carondelet High School
Concord
Campus building campaign
$25,000

Celebration Christian Preschool
Brentwood
Pre-kindergarten preschool for children from low-income families
$10,000

Center for the Education of the Infant Deaf
Berkeley
Scholarship support for Contra Costa students
$2,500

Chabot Space and Science Center
Oakland
Field trips for West County youth
2001 $25,000
2002 $25,000

Christ the King School
Pleasant Hill
Purchase of library books
$2,500

City of Richmond
Support for the Training and Education for Community, Home and School (TECHS) program
$3,000

Concord Youth Center
After school homework program
$10,000

Contra Costa Community College District
Contra Costa College, San Pablo
Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill
Los Medanos College, Pittsburg
Facilities expansion/renovation and scholarship support over five years
2000 $100,000
2001 $100,000
2002 $100,000
2003 $100,000
2004 $100,000

Contra Costa County Office of Education
Pleasant Hill
Classroom grants in support of the Teacher of the Year program
2000 $2,200
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000
2004 $7,500
Educational trips for disabled high-school students
2000 $1,075
2001 $1,075
2003 $1,400
2004 $1,400

Contra Costa Youth Council
Walnut Creek
Read to Live program at the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility
2001 $10,000
2002 $10,000
2003 $10,000
2004 $10,000

Deer Hill Ranch
Lafayette
Field trip support for West County elementary school students
$5,000

De La Salle High School
Concord
Scholarship support
$38,000

Diablo Valley Literacy Council
Concord
Support for computer purchase
$5,000

Diablo View Middle School
Clayton
Capital grant to the Raise-A-Gym program
$150,000

El Cerrito High School Community Project
Resource Center renovations
$25,000

Exploring New Horizons
Boulder Creek
Support for West County students to attend environmental education school
2003 $7,500
2004 $15,000

Foothill Middle School
Walnut Creek
Homework Club
$2,500

Futures Explored
Lafayette
Community college transition project for developmentally delayed young adults
$25,000

Independent Institute
Oakland
Scholarship support for Contra Costa students
2001 $15,000
2002 $15,000
2003 $15,000
2004 $15,000

John Swett Elementary School
Martinez
Sound system equipment
for multi-use room
$8,000

Junior Achievement of the Bay Area, Inc.
South San Francisco
School-to-Career curriculum in elementary schools in Contra Costa County
2000 $10,000
2001 $10,000
2003 $5,000
2004 $5,000

Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship
Scholarship support
2002 $6,000
2003 $6,000
2004 $7,000

Knightsen Elementary School
Replacement of playground equipment
$10,000

Leadership Public Schools
Richmond
Development of an academic support and arts program
$15,000

Lindsay Wildlife Museum
Walnut Creek
Support for educational exhibits
2002 $10,000
2004 $45,000
Completion of the Atrium Stairwell in the Main Exhibit Hall
2001 $25,000

Marine Science Institute
Redwood City
Marine science program field trips for students in Contra Costa County
2000 $7,500
2002 $7,500
2003 $7,500

Martinez Education Foundation
Support of the Run for Education
2003 $1,000
2004 $1,000

Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Concord
Bridge Café training program
$15,000

North Campus Alternative High School
San Pablo
Student radio and video production
$10,000

Olympic High School
Concord
Margaret Lesher Scholarship Fund
$1,000

Project Second Chance
Pleasant Hill
Families for Literacy Program
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000

Residential and Educational Services (RES)
Martinez
Support for educational opportunities for developmentally disabled adults
$10,000

St. Cornelius School
Richmond
Teacher ESL training
$7,500

St. Mary’s College of California
Moraga
Capital grant for School of Education building
$100,000

St. Mary's Elementary School
Walnut Creek
Computers for expanded computer lab
$7,500

Salesian High School
Richmond
Support for Mobile Digital Media Studio and teacher training
$25,000

Teach for America
Emeryville
Sponsorship of five West Contra Costa teachers
2003 $25,000
2004 $25,000

University of California/ArtsBridge Program
Berkeley
ArtsBridge student teachers in Contra Costa County
2002 $10,000
2003 $5,000
2004 $5,000

Venture School
San Ramon
Matching grant for the Venture School Art Institute
2002 $25,000
2004 $25,000

West Contra Costa Public Education Fund
San Pablo
Support for after school activities in West County
2001 $10,000
2002 $10,000
2003 $20,000
2004 $20,000

Youth Radio
Berkeley
Support for after-school media training programs for at-risk youth in Richmond
2003 $5,000
2004 $10,000

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Arts and Cultural Foundation of Antioch
Support for supplies, the summer concert series and scholarships
$20,500

California Shakespeare Theater
Berkeley
Production support for the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda and educational programs for Contra Costa students
2000 $25,000
2001 $25,000
2002 $30,000
2003 $30,000
2004 $30,000

California Symphony
Walnut Creek
Margaret Lesher Summer Concert Series at the Concord Pavilion
2000 $33,500
2001 $70,000
General operating support
2002 $25,000
2003 $15,000
2004 $50,000
Free public concert in Todos Santos Plaza in Concord
2001 $25,000
2002 $35,000
2003 $35,000
2004 $25,000

Carolina Lugo’s Brisas de Espana
Pleasant Hill
Support for resident artist
$1,000

Cazadero Performing Arts Camp
Berkeley
Campership scholarships for youth from South Richmond
2002 $7,500
2004 $5,000

Concord Pavilion Associates
Concord
Capital improvements
2000 $25,000
2001 $25,000
Community outreach and educational performances at the Concord Pavilion
2000 $100,000
Margaret Lesher Summer Concert Series with California Symphony
2001 $30,000
Children’s Performing Arts Series
2001 $6,550
Operating Support
2002 $60,000

Company C Contemporary Ballet
Walnut Creek
Equipment and production support
$9,000

Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra
Walnut Creek
Production support
$2,500

Contra Costa Civic Theater
El Cerrito
Capital grant to support theater remodeling
$25,000

Civic Arts Education
Walnut Creek
The Arts Learning Project in Concord
$25,000

Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts
City of Walnut Creek
A Challenge Grant of $100,000 per year for ten years, matched by the Diablo Regional Arts Association, to support local visual and performing arts groups
2000 $100,000
2001 $100,000
2002 $100,000
2003 $100,000
2004 $100,000
A grant of $100,000 per year for ten years to fund a permanent $1 million Lesher Arts Endowment to support community arts programming
2000 $100,000
2001$100,000
2002 $100,000
2003 $100,000
2004 $100,000

Diablo Ballet
Walnut Creek
New works and general operating support
2000 $75,000
2001 $75,000
2002 $75,000
2003 $75,000
2004 $75,000

Diablo Light Opera Company
Walnut Creek
Youth program production support
2002 $10,000
2003 $10,000
2004 $5,000

Diablo Regional Arts Association
Walnut Creek
Arts Access Project
2000 $40,000
2001 $10,000
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000

Diablo Wind Symphony
Concord
Concert series and audience development
2000 $6,000
2002 $6,000
2003 $5,000

East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
Richmond
After school arts education program
2003 $25,000
2004 $35,000

El Campanil Theater Preservation Foundation
Antioch
Theater renovation and refurbishment
$50,000

Eugene O'Neill Foundation
Danville
Student Days at Tao House
2000 $5,000
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000
2004 $5,000

Festival Opera Association
Walnut Creek
Summer season production support
2000 $25,000
2001 $25,000
2002 $25,000
2003 $25,000
2004 $50,000

Julia Morgan Center for the Arts
Berkeley
Arts based learning program for West County students
2001 $16,500
2002 $10,000

Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center
San Pablo
General support for youth programming
$15,000

Masquers Playhouse
Pt. Richmond
Summer youth program scholarships
2000 $2,200
2001 $3,000
2002 $3,000
2003 $3,000
2004 $3,000

National Institute of Art and Disabilities (NIAD)
Richmond
Art exhibition support
$10,000

Oakland East Bay Symphony
Oakland
Support for the West County Concert Series in Richmond
$15,000

Pacific Chamber Symphony
San Leandro
Support for the senior matinee series in Contra Costa County
$15,000

Playhouse West
Walnut Creek
Production support
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000
2003 $10,000
2004 $10,000

Richmond Art Center
Richmond
Gallery exhibition support
2000 $25,000
2002 $25,000
2003 $25,000
2004 $25,000

SOLO Opera
Concord
Production support and low-income access
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000

VOCI
Women's Choral Ensemble
Oakland
Contra Costa County concert
$4,000

Willows Theatre Company
Concord
Support for the annual outdoor drama "Mountain Days, the John Muir Musical"
2001 $15,000
2003 $25,000
2004 $25,000

University of California, Berkeley
Young Musicians Program in Contra Costa
$20,000

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Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
San Francisco
Funding for children from Contra Costa to attend Champ Camp
2000 $5,000
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000

Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) of Contra Costa
Martinez
Tenant improvements at the Lynn Center in Pittsburg
$30,000

Asian Community of California
Richmond
Support for programs benefiting the Southeast Asian community
$10,000

Bay Area Crisis Nursery
Concord
General operating support
$5,000

Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP)
Berkeley
Support the Sports Program for disabled Contra Costa County youth
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000
2004 $5,000

Bay Area Rescue Mission
Richmond
Ladies & Family Shelter and the Transitional Living Program
2000 $37,500
2001 $37,500
2004 $37,500

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the East Bay, Inc.
Oakland
Mentor matches for at-risk youth in Contra Costa County
$20,000

Boys & Girls Club of the Diablo Valley
Martinez
Support for Project Learn
$12,500

Brookside Community Health Center
San Pablo
In support of the dental clinic
2000 $15,000
2002 $10,000
2003 $10,000

Cambridge Community Center
Concord
Capital grant for construction of a new childcare center
$100,000

Catholic Charities
Oakland
Support for the Family Service Center in Brentwood
2003 $35,000
2004 $35,000

CBO (Community-Based Organizations) Center
Concord
To support education and training for Contra Costa nonprofits
$25,000

Center for Human Development
Pleasant Hill
Academic achievement programs in three Richmond schools
$25,000

City of El Cerrito, Recreation Department
Support for Project REACH
2002 $5,000
2004 $5,000

Community Violence Solutions
San Pablo
Clinical counseling program and the Children's Interview Center in Martinez
2000 $50,000
2001 $50,000
2002 $50,000
2003 $50,000
2004 $50,000
Capital grant for construction and equipment for pediatric forensic exam room
$50,000

Contra Costa Crisis Center
Walnut Creek
Capital grant for purchase and remodeling of additional facility
$100,000
Grief Counseling Program support
2002 $15,000
2003 $15,000
2004 $25,000

Contra Costa Economic Partnership
Concord
Support of the Business/Education Collaborative
$10,000

Contra Costa Health Services
Martinez
Healthy Families enrollment program
$5,000

Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
Martinez
Implementation of the Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing Program
$25,000
Garden Park Apartment supportive housing services
$25,000

Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Committee Organization (CCISCO)
Martinez
Citizenship classes in Pittsburg
$10,000

Contra Costa Jewish Community Center
Walnut Creek
Summer camp support
$3,000

Contra Costa Police Athletic Association
Concord
Community work with at-risk youth in Contra Costa County
2000 $10,000
2002 $10,000
2003 $10,000
2004 $10,000

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Contra Costa County
Walnut Creek
Services to at-risk youth in the juvenile justice system
2000 $10,000
2002 $10,000
2003 $10,000
2004 $15,000

East Bay Habitat for Humanity
Oakland
Building materials for affordable housing in Crockett
$50,000

Elder Abuse Prevention
Richmond
County-wide education and direct services program addressing elder abuse
2001 $5,000
2003 $5,000

Familias Unidas
Richmond
Cultural support and referral system for Latino families
$15,000

FamiliesFirst
Davis
Kinship support services program in Contra Costa
2001 $20,000
2002 $20,000

Family and Community Services of Contra Costa
Walnut Creek
Senior Tutorial Program which pairs senior tutors and students
$10,000

Family Caregiver Alliance
San Francisco
Support for Camp for Caring for Contra Costa residents
$13,750

Family Institute of Pinole Clinic
Comprehensive child abuse treatment and prevention center
$20,000

Family Stress Center
Concord
Respite Nursery general support
2000 $15,000
2001 $15,000
Capital Grant
2002 $25,000
Proud Fathers program
2004 $15,000

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
Concord
General operating support and capital improvements
2001 $50,000
2002 $50,000
2003 $57,000
2004 $100,000

Girl Scouts of the San Francisco Bay Area
Oakland
Support of Girl Scouting in West Contra Costa County
$5,000

Greater Bay Area Make-A- Wish Foundation
San Francisco
For the children’s program in Contra Costa
2002 $5,000
2004 $5,000

Jewish Family & Children's Services of the East Bay
Walnut Creek
Support for the Multi-Cultural Child Abuse Prevention program
2000 $10,000
2001 $10,000
2002 $10,000
2004 $10,000

John F. Kennedy University
Pleasant Hill
Matching grant to support mental health care at the Community Counseling Center
$25,000

League of Women Voters
Lafayette
Televised candidate forums
2002 $3,500
2004 $3,500

Learn ASAP
Richmond
Academic enrichment program for youth in West County
2001 $15,000
2002 $15,000
2003 $15,000
2004 $15,000

Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
San Francisco
Contra Costa camperships
$10,400

Lincoln Child Center
Oakland
Support for middle school mental health services in Pittsburg
$15,000

Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa
Pittsburg, Concord and Martinez dining rooms
2000 $10,000
2002 $50,000
2003 $25,000
2004 $25,000

Meals on Wheels
Martinez
General support and matching grant for the new donor appeal
2000 $25,000
2002 $25,000
2003 $25,000

Morning Star Outreach
Hayward
Youth projects and summer camperships for Contra Costa children
2000 $7,500
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000
2004 $5,000

Mt. Diablo Silverado Council – Boy Scouts of America
Pleasant Hill
Start up costs for Cub Scout program in Pittsburg
$10,000

Mt. Diablo Habitat for Humanity
Concord
Sponsorship of affordable housing in Pittsburg
$50,000

New Connections
Concord
Latino Family Prevention and Intervention Program
$35,000
Olympic High School drug and alcohol abuse counselor
2000 $35,000
2001 $25,000
Capital grant for Willow Pass Road facility
2001 $100,000
2002 $100,000

Opportunities for Technology Information Careers (OPTIC)
Antioch
Support for technology career training for low-income women
2000 $25,000
2001 $25,000
2002 $25,000
2003 $25,000
2004 $30,000

Pittsburg Pre-School Coordinating Council
Pre-school Expansion Program
2001 $100,000
Kinship Care Program
2003 $50,000
2004 $50,000

Rebuilding Together * Diablo Valley
Concord
Home renovation for low income families, seniors, disabled individuals and non-profit agencies
2000 $7,500
2001 $7,500
2002 $7,500
2003 $7,500
2004 $7,500

Resources for Community Development
Berkeley
Contra Costa support for resident services and empowerment program
2003 $25,000
2004 $25,000

Respite Inn
Concord
Building repairs for home for adults with developmental disabilities
2000 $25,000

Rubicon, Inc.
Richmond
Support for Fragile Families program
2001 $25,000
2002 $25,000
2003 $25,000
2004 $50,000

Senior Helpline Services
Lafayette
Support for senior reassurance program
2001 $7,500
2003 $6,000
2004 $10,000

Senior Outreach Services
Walnut Creek
Support for Care Mentors
2001 $10,000
2002 $10,000
2003 $10,000

Service Integration Program of Contra Costa County
Martinez
Support for after school and summer school program in Bay Point
$15,000

SHARE Northern California
Richmond
Start SHAREing, a food distribution program in West County
$20,000

SHELTER, INC.
Martinez
Pittsburg Family Center
2001 $40,000
2003 $25,000
2004 $25,000
Family Emergency Shelter funding
2004 $36,000

Sheriff’s Charities
Martinez
Construction of Peace Officer Monument of Contra Costa
$20,000

Special Olympics, East Bay
Pleasant Hill
Support for sports training and competition
2001 $15,000
2003 $20,000
2004 $20,000

STAND! Against Domestic Violence
Concord
Support for domestic violence prevention and intervention services
2000 $250,000
2001 $250,000
2002 $250,000
2003 $250,000
2004 $250,000

Street Tech
San Pablo
Matching grant for computer training program for low-income residents
2001 $25,000
2002 $25,000
2003 $10,000
2004 $10,000

Today's Youth Matter
San Mateo
Support for Contra Costa youth to attend TYM summer camp
2000 $7,500
2001 $7,500
2002 $7,500

University of Southern California
Los Angeles
Scholarship for Contra Costa student
$2,500

Volunteer and Emergency Services Team in Action (VESTIA)
Martinez
Support for “Kids 2 Kamp” program
2002 $5,000
2003 $4,500
2004 $4,500

Volunteer Center of Contra Costa
Walnut Creek
A challenge grant to the Share the Spirit holiday giving campaign
2000 $34,250
2001 $30,000
2002 $30,000
2003 $30,000
Contra Costa Funders Fair
2000 $5,000
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000

Wardrobe for Opportunity
Walnut Creek
Business clothing, workplace image enhancement and career development for low-income women
2001 $10,000
2002 $10,000
2003 $10,000
2004 $10,000

We Care Society, Inc.
Concord
Mental health care services for children
$15,000

Wesley Youth Homes
Danville
Residential care facility in Pittsburg serving at-risk young women
2000 $20,000
2002 $20,000
2003 $20,000
2004 $20,000

West Contra Costa Food Security Council
Richmond
East West Market Garden Project for low-income residents
2000 $25,000
2002 $20,000
2003 $20,000

West County Adult Day Care/ Alzheimers Respite Center
Richmond
Services to support caregivers and families in West County
2000 $10,000
2003 $10,000
2004 $10,000

Xenophon Therapeutic Riding School
Orinda
Matching grant for the purchase of a therapeutic riding horse
$5,000

Young Life Diablo Valley
Walnut Creek
General operating support for Contra Costa programs
$25,000

Youth Enrichment Services (YES)
Berkeley
Camperships for Richmond youth
$7,500

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Association of Small Foundations
Washington, DC
2000 $1,000
2001 $10,000
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000

Council on Foundations
Washington, DC
Stewardship Principles for Family Foundations
$5,000

Foundation Center
San Francisco
General operating support
2001 $2,500
2002 $2,500
2003 $2,500
2004 $3,000

The Management Center
San Francisco
Contra Costa Nonprofit Board Fair
$5,000

Northern California Grantmakers
San Francisco
Summer Youth Project
2000 $5,000
2001 $5,000
2002 $5,000
2003 $5,000
2004 $5,000
Emergency Loan Fund
2000 $1,000
2002 $1,000
2003 $2,500
2004 $2,500

National Center for Family Philanthropy
Washington, DC
2002 $1,000
2003 $1,000
2004 $1,000

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