Tustin Community Foundation

The purpose of the Tustin Community Foundation is to promote and advance philanthropy in the greater Tustin area. By partnering with its donors, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations and public institutions that effectively address ever-changing community needs. The Tustin Community Foundation is supported 100% by donations from individuals and corporations and is not funded by the City of Tustin nor does it receive taxpayer dollars.

On October 17, 1992, Tustin Council Member Jeff Thomas proposed the idea of establishing a general-purpose nonprofit foundation that would allow individuals and businesses to financially support their community. Over the following months, research was conducted on similar foundations in other municipalities, and it was determined that the most effective structure for such an organization in Tustin would be within the Community Services Department.

When Mayor Chuck Puckett’s term on the City Council ended, he became a Founding Member of what would soon be known as the Tustin Community Foundation. In its early years, the Foundation primarily supported the Tustin Area Family and Youth Center (TAFFY), contributed $5,000 to revive the Miss Tustin Scholarship Program, and provided major funding for the Tustin Police Department’s Santa Sleigh and truck—a cherished holiday tradition that continues to bring joy to thousands of Tustin children more than 30 years later.

After a period of dormancy following the conclusion of major grant funding in 2002, the Tustin Community Foundation was revitalized in 2006 with the encouragement and support of newly elected City Council members. Operating independently with updated bylaws and a renewed mission, the Foundation is dedicated to promoting and advancing philanthropy in the greater Tustin area, helping local nonprofits and schools meet evolving community needs. Today, the Foundation serves not only the City of Tustin but also unincorporated areas such as North Tustin and parts of Santa Ana—without receiving any financial support from the City of Tustin.

The Tustin Community Foundation (TCF) is a deeply rooted local organization led by a volunteer Board of community leaders who understand the evolving needs of greater Tustin. TCF identifies community challenges and opportunities, acting as a leader to address both immediate and long-term concerns. By combining donations, the Foundation amplifies the impact of each gift, directing funds where they are most needed.

Since 2008, TCF has provided funding to more than 125 Tustin-area nonprofits and schools, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening the community. Through strong partnerships with the City of Tustin, the Tustin Unified School District, and local nonprofit and interfaith organizations, TCF is uniquely positioned to address current and emerging needs.

Supporting Tustin Through Challenging Times
1. Emergency Response:
In collaboration with the American Red Cross and the City of Tustin, TCF supported families affected by several apartment fires, raising funds and coordinating supply drives, including furniture distribution. The Tustin Emergency Response Fund, established during this time, continues to grow, ensuring readiness for future emergencies.

2. COVID-19 Response:
When the pandemic began, TCF became a vital community resource, offering information on services, conducting surveys to identify needs, and raising funds to address them. The Foundation provided food, PPE, testing kits, remote learning tools, and more. Initiatives included organizing mobile vaccination clinics, food drives, and the Friends Feeding Seniors meal delivery program, staffed entirely by volunteers.

3. Friends Feeding Seniors:
Recognizing seniors' fear of leaving their homes during the pandemic, TCF launched Friends Feeding Seniors, delivering three free, healthy restaurant meals weekly to homebound seniors. This program ran for 18 months before transitioning seniors to other long-term services.

4. Supporting Local Businesses:
To assist restaurants and businesses during the pandemic, TCF initiated the "$2-$10 for Tustin" campaign, encouraging patronage without imposing fees on businesses. This program successfully promoted local restaurants and is expanding to include local stores as part of TCF's ongoing "Shop Locally" message. In addition, TCF created our annual Sip & Stroll fundraiser to purposely bring business to the Old Town merchants during their slow month of February.

5. Grant Support:
In addition to its annual grants, TCF awarded $250,000 in CARES grants in 2020 and $560,000 in ARPA grants in 2021, in partnership with the City of Tustin. These grants, along with direct COVID support, benefitted 44 organizations in 2020 and 89 in 2021. TCF's Paper Football fundraiser has become a vehicle that community organizations and schools participate in to raise much needed funds for their programs. Since 2015, TCF has passed on almost $70k through this program alone.

6. Connecting Donors with Causes:
A key aspect of TCF's impact is connecting donors with meaningful causes. In 2021, TCF facilitated the purchase of new musical instruments for Columbus Tustin Middle School, enhancing arts education and started the American Legion Tustin Post 227 Veteran's Emergency Fund that continues to support veterans in need throughout the County. TCF knew that veterans would take help from other veterans more easily than from our community foundation. TCF knows that it's not always who does the giving as long as the giving and support is done.

Looking Ahead
The Tustin Community Foundation remains committed to creating positive change in greater Tustin, addressing pressing needs, and fostering a stronger community for future generations. TCF's relationship with the City of Tustin, residents and businesses continues to grow because Together, we are #TustinStrong.

The Tustin Community Foundation (TCF) serves as a crucial support system for local nonprofits, schools, and residents in need. As an independent nonprofit, TCF does not receive funding from the City of Tustin, relying instead on the generosity of individuals and businesses to sustain its work. The increasing demand for community assistance has outpaced available resources, creating an urgent need for financial support. Without additional funding, many critical programs that serve Tustin’s most vulnerable populations will be at risk.

Identified Needs
Supporting Local Nonprofits and Schools
Many smaller, mission-driven nonprofits in Tustin struggle to secure funding compared to larger organizations. These groups provide essential services, yet their grant requests continue to exceed available funds. Without additional financial support, TCF will be unable to meet the growing demand for nonprofit grants, leaving key community programs underfunded or eliminated.

Connecting Volunteers with Essential Causes
Volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations, yet the number of available volunteers has declined. TCF’s Volunteer in Tustin program helps bridge this gap by connecting individuals with organizations in need of their time and talents. However, sustaining and expanding this program requires additional funding to recruit and match volunteers effectively.

Making Extracurricular Activities Accessible for All Students
Rising costs are making extracurricular activities—such as music, sports, and leadership programs—inaccessible to many students, particularly those in Tustin’s Title 1 schools. These programs provide vital life skills, mentorship, and opportunities for personal growth, but without increased financial resources, many children will miss out on these formative experiences.

Caring for Tustin’s Seniors
Many seniors in Tustin face food insecurity, isolation, and a lack of resources to maintain their quality of life. Programs like Friends Feeding Seniors and Friendship Calls provide critical support, but these initiatives depend on financial contributions and volunteers to continue serving elderly residents in need.

Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
The Tustin Emergency Recovery Fund enables TCF to respond quickly to unexpected crises, as demonstrated during the 2020 pandemic. However, maintaining a reserve for future emergencies requires dedicated financial resources. Without sufficient funding, Tustin risks being unprepared for the next disaster, leaving vulnerable residents without timely assistance.

Call to Action
The Tustin Community Foundation is dedicated to strengthening Tustin by addressing these critical needs, but we cannot do it alone. Increased funding is essential to continue providing vital grants, connecting volunteers with service opportunities, ensuring equitable access to extracurricular activities, supporting seniors, and preparing for emergencies.

Your donation can make a tangible difference. Every contribution, no matter the size, strengthens Tustin’s safety net and helps build a more resilient, connected, and thriving community.

Together, we can ensure that Tustin remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The Tustin Community Foundation serves the Greater Tustin Area which includes the City of Tustin, North Tustin, unincorporated Santa Ana, portions of West Irvine and Santa Ana and all schools within the Tustin Unified School District.

A donation to the Tustin Community Foundation (TCF) is more than just a gift—it’s a powerful investment in the future of our community. By strategically pooling donations, TCF multiplies the impact of every dollar to address the ever-evolving needs of the greater Tustin area. Our support extends to every corner of the Tustin community, touching the lives of individuals from all walks of life. At the Tustin Community Foundation, we believe that by addressing the diverse needs of our community, we create a stronger, more united Tustin. We serve both the young and the elderly, ensuring children have access to education and extracurricular activities while seniors receive the care and companionship they need to age with dignity.

Our efforts embrace the athletic and the chairbound alike by ensuring those with mobility challenges or disabilities are not left behind because our reach is broad and inclusive. We strive to award grants that bring resources to families and individuals facing financial hardships and empower those with untapped potential. We also celebrate the contributions of our community volunteers at our annual Superheroes of Tustin luncheon.

For decades, TCF has provided grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, offering vital financial support. However, the challenges brought on by community emergencies and the widespread needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the Foundation’s critical role beyond traditional grantmaking. TCF has become a lifeline, responding swiftly and effectively to emerging needs while continuing to uplift the nonprofits that make our community stronger.

The City of Tustin, Tustin Unified School District, and countless nonprofit and interfaith organizations rely on TCF as an innovative and dependable philanthropic partner. From funding impactful local programs to connecting volunteers with causes they care about and amplifying nonprofit events and initiatives, TCF is a trusted resource that strengthens every corner of our community.

Your Support Makes a Difference. The extent of TCF’s impact is only limited by the funds we receive. With your generosity, we can continue to meet pressing needs, provide essential services, and ensure that our community thrives—no matter what the future holds.

By donating to the Tustin Community Foundation, you’re not just supporting a cause; you’re investing in a stronger, more resilient Tustin for generations to come.

Together, we are #TustinStrong.

Warm regards,
Erin Nielsen
Executive Director
Tustin Community Foundation

The Tustin Community Foundation (TCF) is familiar with local nonprofit organizations and with the critical issues facing the greater Tustin community.  To assure donors that their contributions will have an impact, TCF researches the organizations and issues they support.  TCF is in the unique position to raise funds from a wider base or donors and distribute money back to a nonprofit that they would not normally have received.  
I am always amazed at the the things that the Foundation made possible and I'm enthused about what is on the horizon for us.
 
Gene Micco
President