Heritage Fund reaches fundraising goals

The Heritage Fund recently celebrated its return to annual grant making through the generosity of donors who helped the fund reach its endowment goal of $400,000.

Established in 1999, the Heritage Fund is an endowed fund created to provide an enduring source of capital for grant making to capture, preserve and honor the heritage and history of Ventura County.

The fund assists in preserving local history and expanding knowledge of Ventura County and its impact among residents and students, with prior grant making focus on preserving oral histories, developing school curricula and supporting the work of local historical societies.

The celebration dinner was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. John Lamb at Camlam Ranch in Camarillo. Charles Johnson, librarian and archivist at the Museum of Ventura County, was the speaker. His presentation was "Making History in Ventura County."

Among Heritage Fund donors who attended were:

•Nina and Leonard Butler - founders

•Eloisa and Glywn Chase - named fund holders

•Bambi and James E. Clark, II - founders

•Georgia and Ralph Mahan - founders

•Dorcas McFarlane - founder •Brianne and Thomas McGrath, III - founder

•Carolyn and John Menne - named fund holders

•Harold B. Parker, Jr. - named fund holder

•Hugh Ralston - named fund holder

•Mary Schwabauer - named fund holder

•Charles Schwabauer - named fund holder

With the $400,000 goal reached in endowment gifts and pledges, the fund will launch its annual grant making cycle in 2008. The deadline for submission is expected in the early summer.

For more information, visit www.vccf.org or call Catherine Lee at (805) 988-0196, ext. 133.