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Benefiting the community and honoring our agricultural heritage, the California Strawberry Festival remains true to its mission of helping others. In all, more than $2 million dollars has been raised for the betterment of the extended community since the Festival’s inception in the early 80s. Here’s a few of the most recent accomplishments we would like to proudly share with you.

Non-Profit Food Sales Proceeds Generate An Estimated $175,000
The 22nd Annual California Strawberry Festival found 68,912 guests enjoying the celebration last May. Patrons contributed to the fundraising effort with every delicious bite. Approximately $175,000 in proceeds was garnered for 20 local charities hosting non-profit food concession booths. To the Rio Mesa high School Athletic Boosters who netted a profit of $8,500 from the sale of their delicious strawberry pizza, that means they can purchase a softball pitching machine, team uniforms and bus transportation to games. For the Oak Park High School Athletic Boosters Club, the sale of their strawberry twinkies helped complete construction of an all-weather track at the high school stadium. Numerous other civic groups who provided event assistance also received $51,000 in stipends ranging from $300 to $18,000 for their services.

Festival Awards $50,000 to Local Charities
Festival revenues climbed an astounding 11 percent for 2005! As a result, the California Strawberry Festival all-volunteer Executive Board has earmarked $50,000 (topping last year’s donation of $33,000) to be allotted to 23 local charitable groups within the extended community that met criteria for grants. With the 2006 operational budget secured for another season, addition funds are routed back into the community to impact lives well beyond the two-day celebration.

Festival Scholarships Help Farm Workers’ Children
Partnering with the California Strawberry Commission, the Festival funds various academic scholarship programs for children of strawberry farm workers. Showing appreciation to farm workers whose jobs are a vital part of the industry’s success, awards are based on merit to applicants with a least one parent who has been employed as a strawberry farm worker for the past two consecutive seasons. Last May, 99 young adults in high schools and colleges were granted scholarships ranging from $300 to $3,000. To date, programs have reached 264 students with awards exceeding $500,000.

There are Three Ways Your Non-Profit Organization May Become Eligible to Benefit from the Festival.
Here’s how… Email us at csf@strawberry-fest.org with your desired option and contact information and we will send you the appropriate paperwork. Thank you.

1. On Site Presence: Apply to have a non-profit food booth at the California Strawberry Festival. Applications are sent out in August and are reviewed, along with your proposed menu, and selected by a Non-Profit Food Committee in January/February. There is a standard set-up fee involved with having a booth. All proceeds earned by the non-profit at their food booth go directly to their organization. It’s a great way to unite members of your organization with a fun enterprise that garners great results. An average total of close to $150,000 is generated annually to benefit various groups.

2. Stipend compensation for services rendered: Various service clubs and other non-profits help each year in the production of the Festival. From cashiering, to parking and trash pick-up, non-profits and service clubs receive a pre-determined stipend amount for the services provided.

3. Grants: Following the Festival event, once the budget is covered to produce the next year’s celebration the Festival makes available an allotment of grant funding with any of the remaining net proceeds. Applicants must be from an organization with 501(3) c non-profit status. Applications, accepted between August and September, must be filled out completely for consideration before a CSF committee. Awards and the designated amounts granted to whom takes place in October. Last year 23 non-profits received a total of $51,000.