For 25 years, the Morgan Hill Community Foundation (MHCF) has championed a simple but powerful idea: “Give Where You Live.” On Friday, Nov. 13, the foundation will bring that spirit to life at its annual Philanthropy Night Awards, celebrating the volunteers and philanthropists whose generosity strengthens the greater Morgan Hill service area.
The foundation’s service area includes communities within the Morgan Hill Unified School District boundaries, extending into South San Jose, unincorporated Santa Clara County and San Martin.
The celebration marks a milestone for the foundation, established in 2001 to connect charitable donors with local needs and create lasting benefits for the community. The Philanthropy Night Awards continue a tradition dating back to 2005, recognizing individuals nominated by local nonprofit organizations for their extraordinary service and contributions.
The event will take place at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, beginning with a reception followed by dinner and the awards program. Community members, nonprofit leaders, donors, sponsors and volunteers will gather to honor the people who turn compassion into action.
The foundation’s story began with a vision to establish a lasting source of philanthropic support for the greater Morgan Hill area. Early fundraising efforts included the Mayor’s Ball in December 2002 at the newly opened Morgan Hill CCC. More than 450 people attended, raising over $56,000 to help launch the foundation’s first grantmaking efforts.
Since then, MHCF has grown into a community resource that awards grants to local nonprofits and schools and serves as a fiscal sponsor for community initiatives. Its six funding areas encompass arts and culture, education and lifelong learning, science and technology, recreation, agriculture and the environment, and health and humane services.
The foundation has also supported projects that enrich the community’s cultural and civic life, including public art installations such as the Hiram Morgan Hill family statue, “Waiting for the Train,” at the train depot, as well as the Morgan Hill Peace Project Memorial.
MHCF’s ability to respond to changing community needs was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a disaster-relief grant program supported by a matching challenge grant from regional nonprofit partners, the foundation distributed more than $100,000 through 21 grants to 14 local nonprofits.
This assistance helped organizations continue delivering essential services during an exceptionally difficult period.
Today, the foundation continues that commitment through its community and school grant programs, helping local organizations address needs ranging from education and literacy to food security, health and human services, and environmental initiatives.
This year, the foundation is awarding $36,000 in grants to support 13 local projects and programs, marking the largest annual investment in community and school grants in the foundation’s history. Additional matching funds through the Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s community impact funding for food insecurity programs will further expand MHCF’s capacity to address critical local needs.
Grant recipients are scheduled to be announced at Philanthropy Night, with funding expected to be distributed in December.
While grants provide essential financial support, Philanthropy Night shines a spotlight on another invaluable community resource: the people who generously share their time, talents and resources.
Each year, local nonprofit organizations nominate individuals whose dedication, generosity and leadership help advance their missions. The awards recognize people who make a difference in the lives of others, often working quietly behind the scenes without seeking recognition.
The evening also introduces attendees to the organizations these honorees serve—and demonstrates how individual acts of generosity can create a broader community impact.
For MHCF, Philanthropy Night is more than an awards dinner. It celebrates the partnerships connecting nonprofits, donors, businesses, volunteers and residents who share a commitment to making the greater Morgan Hill area a better place to live.
As MHCF celebrates its 25th anniversary, its history reflects the collective efforts of generations of donors, volunteers, nonprofit leaders and community partners. The foundation’s continued success depends on nurturing those relationships while welcoming new supporters who want to invest in the region’s future.
Residents are invited to join the celebration on Nov. 13 and recognize the individuals whose service embodies the spirit of giving.
Tickets for Philanthropy Night, sponsorship information and how to donate are available at morganhillcf.org.
A quarter-century after its founding, MHCF’s guiding principle remains as relevant as ever: when people invest in their own community, everyone benefits. This November, Philanthropy Night will celebrate that enduring commitment—and the people who make it possible.
A special thank you goes to our premium sponsors Ladera Grill, Persing family fund, John and Dolores Kent and Susan Hines Charitable Fund.
Mario Banuelos is a founding board member of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation.
