Wonderful $1 million grant application window open

The application period for The Wonderful Company's $1 million Wonderful Central Valley Community Grants is now live. Over the last nine years, the company and its co-owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, through their foundation, have awarded nearly $7 million in grants to more than 122 nonprofits and 165 schools in the San Joaquin Valley.

Expanding on Wonderful's enduring dedication to aiding local organizations and schools in California's Central Valley, these grants will directly support transformative projects in health and wellness, education, recreation, community beautification, art and social services.

Andy Anzaldo is the chief operating officer of corporate social responsibility. "The Wonderful Company is owned by Lynda and Stewart Resnick. They are global philanthropists who have supported hundreds of nonprofits doing nonprofit work across the globe and in the Central Valley, ranging from sustainability to the arts.

"But our heart has always been where our employees live and work. And that is right here in the Central Valley. Besides the fact that it is where they live and work, the Central Valley is also unique because it is where we can invest dollars and see the impact of our work."

Amidst the myriad of charitable organizations striving to make a difference, The Wonderful Company stands out with its focused and meaningful investments. "There are many nonprofits that spend millions and millions of dollars, and it is difficult to see results. We are very proud of our work in the Central Valley, which has changed the lives of thousands. We also invest in the Central Valley, particularly the areas in communities like Wasco, because they are often forgotten and overlooked by the more urban areas across California."

Authorable is a 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 Wonderful Community Grant recipient.

Founder & CEO Susie Harder said, "We are a literacy-based enrichment program that invites students behind the scenes of book publishing. With the support of the Wonderful Community Grant, we gave the first-ever opportunity for all third-grade students at Teresa Burke Elementary School in Wasco to become published authors."

"We are so grateful for the generosity of the Wonderful Co. This community grant has made a giant impact in engaging kids, promoting literacy and providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local students. Thank you, Wonderful Co!"

"I'm proud of myself for working hard on this book. I'm a published author now!" a third-grade student at Teresa Burke Elementary said.

"I'm telling you, I've never seen kids get so excited about writing. They felt so special to be included as part of a publishing team! What a wonderful experience," Jill Rodriguez, a third-grade teacher at Teresa Burke Elementary, said.

Organizations whose proposals impact at least one of the nine eligible communities are encouraged to apply: The cities are Wasco, Shafter, Avenal, Delano, Del Rey, Firebaugh, Lost Hills, Mendota and Sanger.

For more information and to submit an application, visit .wonderfulcommunitygrants.com or email communitygrants@wonderful.com.