The Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County has taken steps to secure the county’s economic future by setting up an endowment fund at the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation. In its initial fundraising effort, the EVC has quickly received gift commitments totaling approximately $100,000.
“The Endowment Fund provides an opportunity to make an investment in our community for long-term benefits and to achieve greater economic sustainability,” said EVC President and CEO Michael Manchak.
Compass Health CEO, Darren Smith, a member of the EVC Board of Directors, became the first donor to invest in the endowment. “We wanted to create a permanent way to keep San Luis Obispo County self-sufficient economically, and to maintain a sustainable economy for today and tomorrow,” Smith said. “The track record of the EVC makes this an excellent way to accomplish just that.”
The endowment fund supports the EVC, a countywide nonprofit organization that has been operating since 1994 to help thousands of locals create jobs, which benefits the community. The EVC Endowment will help create economic sustainability and self-sufficiency in San Luis Obispo County by creating jobs, increasing investment in the community, and promoting the start-up, growth, and attraction of businesses for a more vital and balanced economy.
The goal for the EVC Endowment Fund is to continue its growth, whereby interest made from the fund will be used to assist in the creation of jobs and further investments in the community. The endowment fund will also help grow businesses, which in turn, invest back into the community.
Ten members of the EVC Founders’ Circle have committed to investing $10,000 each. These members include:
1. Steven Harding, RABOBANK, N.A.
2. Noreen Martin, MARTIN RESORTS
3. Ty & Trudie Safreno, TRUST AUTOMATION
4. Eric Schwefler, CALIBER ACCOUNTING & TAX, LLP
5. Eric Schwefler, AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE BANK and PACIFIC WESTERN BANK
6. Darren Smith, COMPASS HEALTH
7. Tim Williams, DIGITAL WEST
8. John King, BOUTIQUE HOTEL COLLECTION
9. Brad Goodwin, WELLS FARGO ADVISORS
10. HIND FOUNDATION