By Contra Costa County Historical Society
Martinez, CA – June 17, 2026 – The Contra Costa County Historical Society (CCCHS) proudly announced a generous donation of $45,000 received in April 2026 from the California Foundation for Stronger Communities (CFSC). This vital funding fuels the Society’s mission to preserve, protect, and provide public access to the rich records and heritage of Contra Costa County.
The CFSC donation is made possible by the Board of Directors of the California Foundation for Stronger Communities, a California non-profit public benefit corporation that acts as the Board of Directors for the California Municipal Finance Authority (“CMFA”). Their goal is to strengthen local communities by assisting with the financing of economic development and charitable activities throughout the state. The donation received by CCCHS is a direct result of the services CMFA provides to local governments, non-profits, and businesses.
The CMFA offers financing for public infrastructure and development projects.
According to the CMFA website, their “mission is to support economic development, job creation and social programs throughout the State of California while giving back to California communities. By supporting our member communities and their local charities with a portion of the revenue generated through the issuance of taxable and tax-exempt bonds for public, private and non-profit entities, the CMFA is able to directly contribute to the health and welfare of the residents of California.”
“The CMFA shares 25% of all issuance fees directly with its member communities. In addition, a grant equal to 25% of the issuance fee is made to the CFSC to fund charities designated by the member communities. A portion of the annual fees received by the CMFA will also be directed to charitable activities within California communities.”
As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Historical Society relies heavily on the generosity of philanthropic foundations and the ongoing involvement of the community. Gifts like this do much more than simply fund daily operations; they serve as a lifeline that keeps the County History Center running. This critical support allows the Society to ease the strains of month-to-month expenses and focus on long-term goals.
Thanks to this impactful donation, CCCHS can continue to expand its digital collections, improve online access, and increase staff-guided archival workstations. Furthermore, this support empowers the Society to expand public programming, such as the new “Archive Yourself” program, and push forward with a capital campaign to acquire a larger, more modern facility to accommodate ever-growing collections.
“Community partnerships and foundation grants are the backbone of our organization,” said LeighAnn Davis, Executive Director of the Contra Costa County Historical Society. “Support like this not only keeps our doors open and our archives accessible today, but it ensures we can preserve our local history for generations to come. We are incredibly grateful to CFSC and CMFA, and we invite the public and local businesses to join them in supporting our ongoing mission.”
Founded in 1951, the Contra Costa County Historical Society serves as the steward of the County’s archives and the administrator of the County History Center. The History Center houses the largest collection of historical records in the County, serving as an invaluable resource for journalists, scholars, genealogists, and students.
Community support is essential to keeping these historical doors open. To learn more about visiting the History Center, volunteering, or making a donation to support local history, please contact the Center at (925) 229-1042 or visit the Contra Costa County Historical Society website.
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