DUE APRIL 30 EACH YEAR-Nancy Ann Mendiburu Scholarships for high school seniors (Kern High School District)

DUE JULY 1 EACH YEAR-Mendiburu Magic Mini-Grant Applications

DUE JULY 1 EACH YEAR-Nancy Ann Mendiburu Compassion Award Nominations

THE MENDIBURU MAGIC FUND

The foundation has established separate and distinct monetary assistance funds at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital (CHW facilities), Los Angeles Children's Hospital, and Central California Children's Hospital specifically for Kern County children and families. This fund has been made possible by the generosity and community support of The Mendiburu Magic Foundation (MMF), based in Bakersfield, California. The organization was founded in loving memory of Nancy Ann Mendiburu.  MMF will (1) help children and families affected by any catastrophic or life threatening illness; and directly contribute to worthy community need, (2) with an emphasis on positive youth development and (3) ongoing medical research for cancer.  MMF will strive to accomplish these worthy tasks while appreciating the purpose of human life as being to serve, and show compassion and the will to help others.

DETAILS OF THIS FUND

The non-profit foundation creates separate Mendiburu Magic Funds at various medical organizations/hospitals within our given service area; and these monies in this account can be used towards any service request related to our MMF mission and/or stated guidelines. The Mendiburu Magic Fund is only to be used for children (and families effected) ages 0-17 and residents of Kern County and approved/screened by social services staff employed by the partner agency.   Criteria for usage of the fund are as follows:

• All client service requests must be signed/approved by an official from the partner agency and/or medical organization that will authorize expenditure from the mentioned fund
• The medical condition of the child (ages 0-17) must be classified as "life-threatening" and/or "catastrophic," according to accredited medical personnel (accredited physician) employed by the partner agency and/or medical organization
• The funded item/level of assistance cannot be something covered by normal medical insurance
• The funded item/level of assistance must be classified as emergency and/or something that could potentially “fall thru the cracks” when the family is tending to the sick child and during the course of treatment, six months from the first day of diagnosis
• Specially funded client requests that are not mentioned and/or clearly defined can be approved by majority vote of the Governing Board of Directors (with advice and consent from the Community Advisory Board) for Mendiburu Magic Foundation within 48 hours of the request.  The Office of the President must initiate this process.

With decreasing public support, increasing financial burdens due to these medical conditions, and the challenge of balancing all of these factors, our families are frequently stressed and overwhelmed. Our public-benefit organization tries to assist families by relieving these stressors and contributing towards healthy community strategy. We can help with small items (things that are immediate and may possibly fall thru the cracks during necessary treatment) like home utility bills, gasoline for treatments, medication, incidentals, lodging, etc..  During times of catastrophic or life threatening illness for children ages 0-17, MMF provides those families assistance in creating "Everlasting Memories" and improving "Quality of Life." 

Mendiburu Magic Foundation funds are generated through annual special events, corporate and individual contributions and are allocated regionally, at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Annual contributions reflect the success of our fund raising efforts for that fiscal year.

The following persons have access to Mendiburu Magic Funds at their hospital/medical organization and you can contact the following person directly with requests for funding, if your son/daughter is a current patient at any of the area hospitals listed below and resident of Kern County:

Debbie Braidic or Holly Hamlett

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

323.669.5970

Anthony Yamamoto

Central California Children’s Hospital           

559.353.3000

Robyn Bunyan

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital

Catholic Healthcare West

661.327.4647

Case Consideration:  To begin the process of initiating a case with the Mendiburu Magic Foundation, a licensed representative (Caseworker, Child Life Specialist, Nurse, or Doctor) from a recognized organization or agency (Hospital, Hospice Care, Social Work, or Volunteer Group) working directly with the needy family hears or sees the "needy situation" of the family. We consider needy families to include, in addition to those who are financially impoverished, those who fall into the middle income brackets where both parents are working though unable to take time off because they are working so hard to cover all of the family expenses and medical bills. Cases must also meet additional criteria as outlined below.

Screening Criteria

• Only children 17 or younger (family associated as well)
• Case must be considered life threatening and officially diagnosed by a medical professional, licensed by the State of California
• Family in financial need as validated by the referring organization and/or submitted information
• Recommendation of the representative of the referring organization must be accompanied by medical authorization of the child's primary physician

Required Forms

• Completed Case Request Information Form
• Mendiburu Magic Request for Service Application