Monterey County Gives!, aka MCGives!, is a fundraising program for nonprofit organizations in Monterey County that is run by the Community Foundation for Monterey County, the Monterey County Weekly, and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. Founded in 2009, MCGives! adds additional prorated funds to every dollar raised by a participating organization in support of its “Big Idea.” Last year, WACMB raised more than $6000 through MCGives!
So what’s our Big Idea? It’s not just an idea any more: WACMB is bringing Academic WorldQuest to Monterey County high schools. What, you ask, is Academic WorldQuest? It’s the flagship youth education program of the World Affairs Councils of America (which is the umbrella organization for the more than 90 World Affairs Councils across the United States). Structured as a fun, fast-paced team competition for high school students, Academic WorldQuest tests players’ knowledge of current international politics, geography, global economics, history, and world cultures. The program fits nicely with WACMB’s longtime support for local students who are interested in international affairs. WACMB will use funds raised through MCGives! to sponsor Monterey County’s first annual Academic World Quest competition, which will be held in February 2023. We will also pay to send Monterey County’s winning team to Washington, DC, to compete in the national championships in April 2023.
How can you support this Big Idea through MCGives!? It’s easy! Beginning November 10, just go to the WACMB page on the Monterey County Gives! website and follow the directions there to make a donation online in support of WACMB’s sponsorship of Academic WorldQuest. If you’d rather send a check, make it payable to Community Foundation for Monterey County and write WACMB in the Memo line or on an attached note. (Please do NOT make your check out to WACMB.) Mail your check to CFMC, Attn. MCGives!, 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA, 93940.
Don’t delay! The program runs from November 10 through December 31. Also remember: the more we donate, the more our donations will generate additional funds. So be generous!