For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Kerri Young, Communications Manager, kyoung@calhum.org
October 24, 2023—(Oakland, CA)—California Humanities is pleased to announce Marika Garcia as its new Director of Development. A life-long resident of California, Garcia’s career has focused on cultivating philanthropy to provide rural, suburban, and urban communities throughout Northern California with creative and cultural experiences that enhance their quality of life and encourage lifelong learning. Her background will enable her to support California communities at a statewide level through the work of California Humanities, the only statewide nonprofit dedicated to the public humanities. Garcia begins her position in November 2023.
President and CEO Rick Noguchi commented, “Marika brings a range of experiences in development to elevate the fundraising goals of California Humanities. In addition, her knowledge in programming and her familiarity with our organization as a former grantee will enable her to quickly proceed in advancing our mission with enthusiasm. We are delighted to have her join us!”
Garcia currently serves as a Development Officer for Sutter County, where she plans and executes short and long-term fundraising goals for Sutter County Library and the Sutter County Museum, both located in Yuba City, California. During her tenure, Garcia was selected to participate as part of California Humanities’ 2022 Library Innovation Lab cohort, where she designed and implemented “New Neighbors,” a series of Farsi and English podcasts to engage and share resources for Afghan immigrant women throughout the Yuba-Sutter region.
Her previous experiences include several years as a Development Manager with Young Audiences of Northern California, based in San Francisco, and serving as the Executive Director for the Marysville-based arts agency Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture.
“I am thrilled to join California Humanities as their Director of Development, and I’m looking forward to working with the staff and Board of Directors in serving the people of California,” Garcia said. “As a recent participant in the Library Innovation Lab cohort last year, I know firsthand the support California Humanities provides to organizations to benefit communities throughout the state. I’m incredibly honored to be a part of the team!”
California Humanities, a statewide nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, promotes the humanities—focused on ideas, conversation and learning—as relevant, meaningful ways to understand the human condition and connect people to each other in order to help strengthen California. California Humanities has provided grants and programs across the state since 1975. To learn more, visit calhum.org, or like and follow on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
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