The Buck Family Fund of the Marin Community Foundation has announced grants totaling $5 million to fifteen nonprofit organizations working to provide essential safety-net services in the county.

The two-year grants will support nonprofits that provide emergency and short-term shelter and connections to permanent housing for those at risk of homelessness and displacement; services for low-income families such as case management, information and referral, counseling, basic supplies, clothing, transportation assistance, and public benefits enrollment; crisis support and short-term shelter for victims of domestic violence; and assistance for families experiencing a short-term crisis and need help with food, rent, or other basic needs.

Recipients include Canal Alliance, which was awarded $800,000 in support of its bilingual and culturally sensitive case management and emergency referral services; Homeward Bound of Marin, which will receive $800,000 to provide emergency shelter and support services for homeless adults, families, and mentally ill residents of the county; and the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank, which was awarded $600,000 in support of its network of food pantries. The fund also awarded $500,000 to the Ritter Center, which operates permanent supportive housing that includes primary medical care, and $40,000 each to Operation Access and Rotacare Bay Area to provide medical care to uninsured residents of the county.

"Many people tend to donate to safety-net services most significantly during the holiday season," said MCF president and CEO Thomas Peters. "With these multiyear grants, we want to increase awareness that these services are critical year-round to individuals and families who are struggling. And by making extended grants, we also want to signal long-term commitment to these well-run organizations, with the hope that others will join in supporting their good work throughout the year."