Mission Statement
The Franklin Legacy Fund is a catalyzing force bringing together diverse individuals and organizations, private and public, to create innovative solutions to pressing challenges in Monterey County and beyond. We provide financial support and expertise to promising nonprofits in the form of wholistic trainings, workshops, retreats and coaching to give them the tools to achieve excellence and sustainability in their operations to ensure their success in the future.

Ending Child & Youth
Homelessness

Act 2 of the Franklin Legacy Fund (FLF) is beginning to take form, and we are excited about our new direction. Next month it will be one year since the death of our founder, Susie Franklin. We miss her and her dynamic leadership, but we know she would approve of what is emerging.  The Franklin Legacy Fund has made a commitment to be a part of ending child and youth homelessness in Monterey County. To that end we are involved in at least two initiatives that we think are going to make a difference in solving or at least ameliorating this area of concern. We have learned a lot about this intractable issue, some of it shocking. Did you know that according to figures from the Monterey County Office of Education over 10,300 children and youth in our county are deemed homeless? We didn’t either, but when we discovered this, our commitment only intensified. That number includes young people on the streets, in vehicles, in temporary shelters, in hotels and motels, as well as multiple families living together in small, unsuitable dwellings. It doesn’t take much imagination to envision the impact these unstable conditions have on a young person’s physical, emotional, educational and social development.
It is unthinkable to us that in this beautiful area that we call home, with all its wealth, any child should go without having their basic needs for shelter met. If you are so moved, please support us in our efforts to find a home for every child in Monterey County. 

Creating a Film on the Changing Face of Homelessness

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Misperception about who makes up the homeless population and public resistance to proposed solutions are among the biggest obstacles to resolving the issue of homelessness, according to leaders in the field. Today’s homeless population includes single women, families with children, teens and retirees. Most of these people work in service jobs, in small businesses, in the hospitality industry and in our agricultural fields and are essential to keeping our economy thriving.

The Franklin Legacy Fund has committed to producing a film on the “Changing Face of Homelessness” to help address these obstacles. Maren Elwood, our Digital Media Manager and an award-winning filmmaker, is going to be leading this effort.  (Go to On-Site Research Associates to view her prize-winning documentary on immigration.)

Concerned Citizens’ Group Formed

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We also are supporting a grassroots group of concerned citizens who have been meeting regularly to be a part of ending child and youth homelessness in our county. This group is working with PK Diffenbaugh, superintendent of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, to help the over 2,000 students defined as homeless in his district. Some 200 of these students are in dire straits, living in vehicles or on the streets. The group is still in the formative stages, but it is beginning to find areas where it can offer support to those in the field. Anyone who might like to become involved with this group can go to our contact page and request more information.
New Era, Old and New Faces
As we move forward with this new phase of the Franklin Legacy Fund, we would like to introduce you to our team, which includes three returning board members and two new ones, as well as our staff. Go to the “Who We Are” tab to learn more about the impressive group of individuals who are working to carry on the mission of the Franklin Legacy Fund. 

Coaching, Classes & Workshops

Coaching

Visioning

Classes & Workshops

Stress Reduction Workshops For Non-Profits

Video Meditations Available For Download
As if running a charitable institution isn’t enough, add in all the restrictions to our lives that have been imposed on us in the past year plus due to the pandemic and you have a formula for cumulative stress that could lead to leadership and staff exhaustion.
Learn More
Inquiries may be directed to Sandra at 831-659-5528 or sleader@franklinlegacyfund.org.

Audio Meditations Available For Download

guided_breath_meditation.pdf
File Size: 36 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Project News
"Sustainability Initiative" 2020/21

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MEarth

The Franklin Legacy Fund is proud to introduce its 2020/2021 Sustainability Recipient, MEarth.
Based in Monterey County California, MEarth is a nationally recognized outdoor learning center that educates and inspires through environmental stewardship. Located at the 10-acre Hilton Bialek Habitat in Carmel Valley, California, it provides expansive hands-on learning opportunities to schools, county agencies, partner nonprofits, local businesses and interested citizens throughout Monterey County.
Learn More

Who We Are

Sandra Leader

Executive Director

Maren Elwood

Digital Media Manager
& Fundraising

Founders

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Susie Franklin
Founder
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Susan Rosen
Founding Staff Member

    Get in Touch With Us