John and Sandra Mayfield Family Economic Development Fund

History: This fund was established by John and Sandra Mayfield to increase the prosperity of communities and individuals in Mendocino County through business and community development, education, and entrepreneurship support.

Only nonprofits may apply (for-profits must work through Economic Development Finance Corporation or the West Business Development Center).

Purpose: The goal of the fund is to make grants to nonprofit organizations in two categories: small business and entrepreneurship development and workforce development.

Criteria:

• Category One: Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development in Mendocino County

• Infrastructure and support resources for start-ups and small businesses.

• Technical assistance for mission-driven earned income strategies for nonprofit organizations (i.e. guidance on how to test the feasibility of a business concept, how to gain the support of the board and general public for the effort, how to identify business savvy personnel to run it, and how to learn the basics of marketing, sales and customer service).

• Internal capacity-building of local nonprofit community and economic development partners (EDFC, MPIC, West Center, and Workforce Alliance of the North Bay) to align collaborations and implement best practices.

• K-16 Entrepreneurial curriculum/classes.

• Category Two: Workforce Development in Mendocino County

• Collaborative projects between businesses and educational institutions focusing on job training and certification programs that are vocational and/or business-related.

• Job training for employment in the agriculture, manufacturing, health care, natural resources, or tourism sectors of the county.

• Certifications leading to employment in the agriculture, manufacturing, health care, natural resources, or tourism sectors of the county.

• Work readiness programs for high school students interested in employment opportunities in local businesses.