In the midst of the hustle and bustle of a busy fall season, we are taking a moment to pause and reflect on our progress, with heartfelt gratitude. As American author Melody Beattie once said,
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
From our first regional giving day, 925 GIVES, to new community grants and partnerships, this fall has shown us how gratitude and local giving can serve as a powerful catalyst for positive change. We encourage you to continue reading to learn more about 3VCF’s community impact this fall and our plans to embed our Give Where You Live philosophy in all that we do during the upcoming winter months.
Because of your generosity, 925 GIVES brought our community together in an incredible way. Together, we distributed $117,184 to 87 local organizations—proving the power of giving where you live. We boosted local impact, supported vital causes, and showed what’s possible when our community unites. On behalf of 3VCF and all nonprofits that participated, thank you for helping us Give, Grant, & Grow.
As IMPACT Diablo Valley’s fiscal sponsor, 3VCF is pleased to share this exciting news with our community. Community Youth Center (CYC) is currently undergoing a major facility renovation and as part of this expansion, they are launching an enhanced college career and community hub program. IMPACT Diablo Valley grant funds will support the launch and activation of this program by outfitting spaces with technology, furniture, and educational supplies. The grant funds will finance peer tutors who will co-lead tutoring and mentoring activities, as well as subsidize memberships for over 100 youth needing financial assistance with their newly expanded facility. Congratulations, CYC!
In partnership with 3VCF, IMPACT Diablo Valley also awarded a $22,000 grant to 18 Reasons and a $22,000 grant to Love Never Fails. The local nonprofit 18 Reasons is working to expand their Food as Medicine for Kids program which offers free, home-delivered groceries paired with online cooking, nutrition and enrichment classes to Medi-Cal patients diagnosed with pediatric obesity. Local nonprofit Love Never Fails will continue to support their project Search 4 Me, a targeted intervention that addresses the disappearance and exploitation of foster youth within Contra Costa County.
Now in its 25th year, this cherished community event continues a beloved Tri-Valley tradition — honoring Dr. King’s enduring legacy through inspiration, reflection, and community building. This year’s theme, “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” draws from Dr. King’s timeless call to move beyond apathy and into courageous, compassionate acts of service.
January 26, 2026
8:00 – 9:30 AM
Palm Event Center in the Vineyard, Pleasanton
Keynote Speaker
William “Bubba” Paris
Three-time Super Bowl Champion for the SF 49ers and Motivational Speaker
Emcee
Tim Sbranti
Community Leader, 3VCF Advisor, Former Mayor of Dublin
Early Bird Tickets
$75 per person, available through 1/1/26.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award
Recognizing Tri-Valley changemakers who demonstrate the values of bold leadership, justice, philanthropic service and action.
Sponsorship packages are available to support the Legacy and Young Philanthropist Awards and honoree seating. There is a range of sponsor benefits, including community and media recognition, onstage acknowledgement, and priority seating.
This time of year is when we see the extraordinary power of strategic giving come to life. While generosity happens year-round, giving in the fall has unique benefits. It allows our donors to:
Reassess philanthropic goals before year-end deadlines
Make gifts of appreciated assets, donor-advised fund contributions, or corporate gifts at a time when they may offer optimal tax advantages
Support 3VCF programs – such as our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Breakfast & Awards, and our Power of Collaboration Corporate Challenge in support of our Community Health Impact Grantmaking – when funding decisions are actively being shaped for the coming year
Help local nonprofits plan with confidence as they enter the busy holiday and winter seasons
We invite you to make a year-end gift and renew, or begin, your commitment to our Sustainability Circle, a community of donors committed to supporting our community’s greatest needs. You can DONATE to support our mission or reach out to me personally at kspence@3vcf.org with any questions about your giving.
Thank you for your partnership, your vision, and your unwavering commitment to giving, granting & growing a stronger Three Valleys region. Together, we enter this holiday season ready to make a lasting impact, one thoughtful gift at a time.
We’re thrilled to promote a stylish way to display your pride in the people, places, and purpose behind 3VCF! Our curated collection of 3VCF-branded apparel, spirit wear and swag will make the perfect holiday gift for community members who believe in giving back and growing together. By sporting 3VCF gear, you’re not just looking fashionable, you’re raising awareness of our collective commitment to Give, Grant & Grow across our Three Valleys and beyond.
Smart timing can help generosity go further
At 3VCF, we know that charitable intent begins with purpose — not tax strategy. Still, thoughtful timing can ensure that the generosity of donors, families, and community givers has maximum impact. With two key federal tax changes taking effect in 2026, 2025 represents a unique, time-limited opportunity to give more efficiently and lock in stronger deduction benefits. For many, this will make “finish-line planning” an essential part of year-end conversations.
What’s Changing: Beginning in 2026, itemizers may only deduct charitable contributions that exceed 0.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI). For example, a couple with a $300,000 AGI may deduct only contributions above $1,500.
Recommended Action Before December 31, 2025: We encourage donors and families to open or add funds to a donor-advised fund (DAF) at 3VCF this year to take full advantage of the current, more favorable deduction rules. Front-loading gifts now can preserve a larger deduction before the new floor applies.
What’s Changing: Beginning in 2026, taxpayers in the 37% bracket will have their charitable deduction savings capped at the 35% rate. For example, a $10,000 gift provides $3,700 in tax savings today, but only $3,500 starting in 2026.
Recommended Action Before December 31, 2025: For those considering significant or multi-year giving, now is the optimal time to act. Strategies such as bunching several years of contributions into 2025 can lock in higher savings. Community members may wish to:
These actions minimize the effects of future deduction limits while strengthening our region for years to come.
Even with bunching, some donors won’t itemize. For them, waiting may be beneficial. Beginning in 2026, taxpayers can take a new above-the-line charitable deduction of $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for joint filers for cash gifts to public charities.
At 3VCF, we’re here to help. To explore opportunities, including donor-advised funds, endowments, and other charitable vehicles, contact us at info@3vcf.org. One of our Team Members will gladly follow up to help maximize tax-smart generosity and strengthen the well-being of our Three Valleys region.
The true strength of Three Valleys Community Foundation lies in the power of we —the individuals, families, organizations, and partners who come together to help us Give, Grant & Grow. Following a productive and inspiring fall, we wish you a peaceful and joyous holiday season.
With gratitude,
Dr. Kelly Bowers, CEO / President
Three Valleys Community Foundation