St. Joseph’s Family Center has the chance to triple the value of
an $18,000 grant it received today from the Sobrato Family
Foundation.
St. Joseph’s Family Center has the chance to triple the value of an $18,000 grant it received today from the Sobrato Family Foundation.
The unrestricted challenge grant guarantees the family center $18,000, with the promise of another $18,000 installment in one year if St. Joseph’s can raise at least the same amount in new donations.
“Normally I would say it shouldn’t be too hard, but the times are tough and the economy still doesn’t seem to have rebounded,” said St. Joseph’s Executive Director David Cox. “I don’t think it’s going to be easy but it’s doable.”
Cox said he and his board are up for the challenge and hopes the match from Sobrato will encourage donors to contribute.
“It’s important for folks to know that their money is really stretching if they give now,” said Marjorie Fujiki, a community investment officer with the Sobrato Family Foundation.
Unlike many donations St. Joseph’s receives that are earmarked for a specific purpose or project, the Sobrato grant is unrestricted and can be used for anything from developing programs to paying rent or training employees.
“The flexibility is really important,” said Jon Voorhies, president of St. Joseph’s board of directors. “Three months from now, who knows what needs will arise?”
Cox named several different areas St. Joseph’s might channel the money, including replacing some of the organization’s fixed assets that are starting to wear out or further developing the downtown street team, which provides opportunities for local homeless people to be compensated for cleaning Gilroy streets.
“I myself would love to see the street team program grow, but there are a variety of needs we have on a daily basis,” Cox said. “What I do know is that the money will definitely be put to good use in helping families and programs.”
