The foundation will give Power of Effective Giving awards to Oakland resident Margaret Gordon and Roger Haughton of Contra Costa County for their volunteer work, said Christianne Selig of the foundation. The gala will help raise funds for the foundation's grant-making programs, said Selig.

The Diamond Jubilee Gala will be held Friday in Oakland's Rotunda Building.

International environmentalist organization Pacific Institute nominated Gordon for her efforts to educate residents about asthma and air pollution health risks, among other environmental concerns, said Meena Palaniappan, program director.

"In her 50s, she's a passionate community activist," said Palaniappan, who has worked with Gordon for three years. "She's a constant inspiration for women like myself."

Mt. Diablo Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit group that builds affordable homes, nominated Haughton for his community service.

Throughout the years, the foundation has supported local organizations such as La Clinica de la Raza, a Fruitvale medical center, which has received $25,000 in foundation grants since 1999, said Jane Garcia, clinic chief executive officer.

"The foundation supported our efforts in Contra Costa County, which allowed us to set up support groups to deal with domestic violence," said Garcia, who has worked for the clinic for 25 years.

The foundation also granted $13,000 to Next Step Learning Center, a literacy and GED preparation program in West Oakland.

"(The foundation) really wanted to work with us," said Cynthia Canning, NSLC co-director. "They spend time getting to know the program and see what we do."

The foundation was founded in Northern California in 1928 to support and address community challenges, according to its Web site. Early founders included former Oakland Tribune publisher Joseph R. Knowland. The group started out as the Alameda County Community Foundation. In the 1970s, it began serving Contra Costa County and changed its name to the East Bay Community Foundation. Last year, the foundation made $19.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations.

Friday's event will celebrate 75 years of foundation history, said Jim Hill, board chairman. "It's the oldest community foundation (in Northern California)," said Hills. "We really want to get people more involved in giving back to their community."

For more information about the foundation, visit www.eastbaycf.org or call (510) 208-0837.

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com Email