Causes:
Community Improvement & Capacity Building,
Philanthropy,
Philanthropy, Charity & Voluntarism Promotion,
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations
Mission: The Mercury News Wish Book and Share the Spirit work to shine a light on the needs of our community and to foster a spirit of civic philanthropy to meet those needs. Between Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Day each year, the East Bay Times and The Mercury News will tell stories of individuals in need in this community, and those organizations providing help and hope. This holiday campaign is our way of giving back to the community by shining a light on its most vulnerable residents — and showing how we all can help.
Since 1944, the East Bay Times and The Mercury News have been publishing stories about the hopes and desires of some of the least fortunate among us.
Wish Book and Share the Spirit are one of the most meaningful projects we do each year and we’re grateful that the stories have encouraged the support of so many individuals, families and groups coping with significant challenges. With your help, our community will become an even better place.
This series presents a catalog of community giving that is rooted in the basic values of excellent journalism and a desire to help the less fortunate. Categories of giving include – but are not limited to – education, job training, health and welfare, youth and families, food and shelter and community resources.
The Wish Book project was started in November, 1983 and Share the Spirit in 1994. The San Jose Mercury News Wish Book Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated by the San Jose Mercury News and East Bay Times.
Results: Since its inception in 1983, Wish Book and Share the Spirit have raised more than $11 million and granted more than 500 wishes.
Target demographics: local nonprofits, to bring public awareness and funding, and encourage civic philanthropy by through stories and grantmaking.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 100% of 2021 funding went to 82 local East Bay and South Bay organizations, with over 1 million in grants going to help more than 80,000 local residents.
Geographic areas served: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Cruz, and Contra Costa counties
Programs: The Wish Book Fund and Share the SPirit support local nonprofit organizations and individuals with a series of holiday-season articles. This series presents a catalog of community giving that is rooted in the basic values of excellent journalism and a desire to help the less fortunate. Categories of giving include – but are not limited to – education, job training, health and welfare, youth and families, food and shelter and community resources.
Comments ( 1 )
drobillard 09/21/2022 Thank you for volunteering! And thanks for this review!