Our Sustainability Project 2020
2020 Recipient: The Franklin Legacy Fund is proud to announce that MEarth has been selected as the 3rd recipient of it’s sustainability grant. We selected this organization because of their dedication to a program of environmental education for our community's middle school students. Through their two programs, Nature Connect and Food Connect, they teach students about organic gardening and its connection to healthy cooking and eating. We are excited to work with their team to extend their educational reach in the Monterey Bay area. We will be working with them in cooperation with the business school at CSUMB to provide them with a business plan to guide their growth and the coaching to implement that plan.
Our Sustainability Project is a three-year empowerment grant that includes funding and expertise designed to ensure that the selected non-profit is not simply given a fish but taught how to fish. Funding is granted incrementally over the three-year period, with the largest amount in the first year, half of that in the second and half of the two-year amount in the third.
We are partnering with California State University Monterey Bay School of Business, which provides teams of soon-to-be graduates who develop Strategic Plans for our Sustainability Initiative recipients to use to guide both their general decision-making and how to use our funding.
Our Sustainability Project is a three-year empowerment grant that includes funding and expertise designed to ensure that the selected non-profit is not simply given a fish but taught how to fish. Funding is granted incrementally over the three-year period, with the largest amount in the first year, half of that in the second and half of the two-year amount in the third.
We are partnering with California State University Monterey Bay School of Business, which provides teams of soon-to-be graduates who develop Strategic Plans for our Sustainability Initiative recipients to use to guide both their general decision-making and how to use our funding.
Sustainability Initiative Recipient 2017 - 2019
The Restorative Justice Partners
Restorative Justice Partners Inc. (RJP), our second Sustainability Recipient (Jan. 2017), brings victims, offenders, families and other key stakeholders together in a process to help offenders understand the implications of their actions and provide the victim a voice in the restitution. In a restorative justice process, the person who has done harm takes responsibility for their actions and the person who has been harmed can take a central role in the process. Restorative justice is a philosophy in which there is a shift in how we deal with conflict. Instead of focusing on who did what wrong and how that person will be punished, restorative justice looks at what happened, who was affected and aims to create expectations and agreements so that it does not happen again. Restorative justice processes show the highest rates of victim satisfaction, true accountability by the offender, and reduced recidivism. Based in Marina, RJP has produced remarkable results, with a recidivism rate of 13 percent, the lowest of any such program in Monterey County. Restorative Justice Partners Website Capstone Team |
Arlene de la Pena, Veronica Miramontes, Jennie Burciaga, Restorative Justice Partners Team
Danny Ordaz, Robin Hughes, Amairani Resendiz, Paloma Zamora, & Marianna Pimentel, CSUMB Capstone Team 2017 working on Restorative Justice Partners
Sandra Leader, Susie Franklin, Susan Rosen, Franklin Legacy Fund Team
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Sustainability Initiative Recipient 2014
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The Kitchen Sisters
Our inaugural grantee (Feb. 2014) is The Kitchen Sisters Productions, a nonprofit media organization that produces and distributes audio stories for air on public radio stations, including NPR, and related platforms. Its founders and principle producers, Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson, established their organization with the mission to create "...public radio and media that chronicle peoples’ lives and little known stories of culture, ritual and tradition…and to build community through storytelling.” Their work plays an important part in securing our cultural legacy. Kitchen Sisters Website |
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Capstone Teams From California State University, Monterey Bay
The Franklin Legacy Fund partners with California State University, Monterey Bay, which provides a team of seniors from its School of Business. As their required "Capstone Project" for graduation, this team works closely with our Sustainability Initiative recipients to develop a business plan that will be the basis for their efforts toward sustainability.
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Capstone Team 2017 -- Restorative Justice Project
The following are the students who developed the business plan that was used for the Restorative Justice Project. 
Robin Hughes is an experienced business professional with 20 years in program and nonprofit management. Robin's experience includes corporate work, managing complex projects, and co-founding a nonprofit to meet the needs of widows and orphans in Malawi. She currently serves on the board of directors of a local grassroots nonprofit that meets the basic needs of the homeless in Salinas. Robin returned to school, at California State University, Monterey Bay, to obtain her bachelor's in Business Administration. She currently works as the Employer Relations Associate with the CSUMB College of Business
Internship Excellence Program, building relationships with local businesses and connecting students to internships. Robin's strengths are leadership, program management, relationship building, and communication. Her career goals are to work with local nonprofits, using her degree and experience to benefit her local community. rohughes@csu mb.edu, 831-585-0583 
Amairani Resendiz is a fourth-year student in the College of Business at California State University, Monterey Bay. Amairani is studying Business Administration with a concentration in Agribusiness. She maintains an active role in the campus community working as a Community Service Officer for the University Police Department and is a part of several organizations on campus . Amairani is a devoted member and founder of the Chi Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi co-ed professional business fraternity. She is also current President of the Agriculture Club. Amairani is also intern in the Santa Cruz County Probation Department working with the domestic violence unit, currently working on a project to gather relevant data on offenders and their likelihood of recidivism.
Amairani's career interests are law enforcement and the agriculture industry in the Salinas Valley. aresendiz@cs umb.edu, 831-537-6532 
Danny Ordaz is a fourth-year student at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business and Management. Danny holds a significant role on the campus community as he works for the student government, Associated Students (AS), as the Senator for the College of Business. His job consists of advocating for students' rights, needs, and demands, collect student feedback to discuss with the Dean, and provide more opportunities and resources for the student population. He serves as the Chair of the Committee of the Colleges, Finance Board Senate Delegate, Elections Committee Senate Delegate, and Student Representative of the Grade Appeal Committee. He is also working with the Associated Students President to run the Food Pantry service offered by the student government. Over 250 bags of free food are distributed to students in a first-come-first-served basis. Research shows that one out of every ten students in the California State University (CSU) system is food insecure; therefore, the importance of maintaining this service on campus.
Danny is involved in the Business Club to develop professional development skills and the Rotaract Club to give back to the community through volunteer service. His career goals are to pursue a career in international sales and marketing, imports, and exports. vordaz@csumb.edu, 831-578-3102 
Marianna Pimentel is a student enrolled in the College of Business at California State University, Monterey Bay pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Her college education includes several classes in the areas of business, such as Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Computer Information Systems. Marianna is a skilled professional with more than 10 years of experience in accounting.
She is employed as a Senior Accountant for Pebble Beach Community Services District. As a Senior Accountant, she is responsible for planning and coordinating the annual budget and long-term financial plan; as well as, preparing the annual audited financial statements. mapimentel@csum b.edu, 831-229-0914 
Paloma Zamora is a student at California State University, Monterey Bay pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing. Paloma has extensive experience in sales and customer service, with over eight years of retail experience. She is currently head of marketing at John's Jewelers, responsible for creating, and implementing marketing campaigns, and managing their social media accounts. In addition to her energy and creativity, Paloma is a strong public speaker and communicator.
Paloma's career goal is to become a Marketing Director for an agriculture company. pzamora@csumb.edu, 831-595-8755 |
Capstone Team 2014 -- Kitchen Sisters.
The following are the students who developed the business plan that was used by our first recipients, The Kitchen Sisters. 
Desirae Bennett has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and International Business from the College of Business at California State University, Monterey Bay. She also has an Associate of Science degree in Social and Behavior Sciences from Cuesta College. Between 2006 and 2009, Desirae worked as a manager for a small business, developing systems for inventory level management and worker supervision of the day-to-day operations. She has been involved with many non-profit organizations, including the Castroville Library Homework Center, Habitat for Humanity and the Humane Society
Monique Marie Dodson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from CSUMB in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Her skills in accounting and finance will one day enable small businesses, individuals, and their family members to better manage their financial positions. Her work experience includes, tutoring in accounting and finance for Academic Skills Achievement Program (ASAP) at CSUMB, bookkeeper for a small art gallery in Carmel, California, Customer Service Manager at Staples Office Supply, Operations Manager at FedEx Kinko’s Copy Center, and a Professional Golfer on the Duramed Futures Tour. Monique is a mother, wife, and avid golfer. She won scholarships from the Matsui, American Association of University Women, and the California Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA). She plans to obtain her Certified Public Accounting license, a Master’s in Accounting, and a Certified Financial Planner license.
Drake Dutschke earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from CSUMB with an emphasis on finance. Before attending CSUMB, Drake earned the Torch of Excellence award at San Joaquin Delta College for his performance in academics and sports. An avid golfer, Drake works as an assistant/starter at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. He also tutored 7th and 8th grade students in math and science.
Jasmine Kaddoura earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and International Business from CSUMB. Jasmine has made it her passion to lead and inspire others toward common goals. She previously worked in management at Regal Cinemas, where her main responsibilities included daily inventory management, cash management, customer service, and supervising over 30 employees. Jasmine has also been involved with Habitat for Humanity and Dorothy’s Kitchen, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the homeless community in Salinas, California, aiding women with their everyday needs. She has gained experience working multiple high-profile events, such as the Big Sur Food and Wine Festival and the Superbike World Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Leo Sandoval earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration on Management and International business from the School of Business at CSUMB. In 2013, he completed a summer internship program working at the National Credit Union Association in Washington, DC. and Austin,Texas Leo has had experience in the operations and management field of several local retail and restaurant businesses over the last 10 years. In 2012, he volunteered at the Citizenship Program in Salinas, California, helping those in need of passing their citizenship exam. He is attending graduate school to earn a master’s degree in Business Administration, with a focus on Leadership Management. After graduate school, Leo plans to relocate to San Diego to pursue a financial and managerial position within a major corporation.
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